Engineers Without Borders Wins $10,000 Grant

Yale’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) has won a $10,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation’s Creation of a Global Engineer Program. Designed to create and replicate service learning “best practices,” the award aims to develop skills in leadership, project management, communication, systems thinking, and community and personal engagement.

EWB will utilize the funding to support the water supply and distribution project that the group has undertaken for the rural community of Rohvitangitaa (Roh), Cameroon. As reported earlier this spring, the group has been working in Roh since 2011, when the group finished their first project in Cameroon — designing and overseeing the construction of a gravity-fed water distribution system in the neighboring village of Kikoo.

“We’re thrilled to have received this grant, which will support continued water infrastructure and health efforts in the Roh area,” said Ed Kong, EWB co-president.

Evan Chen, the other EWB co-president added, “EWB Yale is excited to continue to serve as an organization that inspires students and strives to develop best practices in working with our community partners abroad.”

Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately $480 million. Founded 63 years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than $615 million. In 2014, Alcoa Foundation contributed more than $22 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the world, building innovative partnerships to improve the environment and educate tomorrow's leaders for careers in manufacturing and engineering.