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Engineering Solutions to Africa's problems
What really is Africa's biggest problem? That is a tough question, where do you start - HIV AIDS, water-borne diseases, poverty, food security...the list goes on. The irony here is that Africa is possibly the riches continent in terms of natutal mineral deposits and soil fertility. So it begs the question again, what is Africa's biggest problem - well corrupt politicians aside, the biggest problem is lack of engineers.
Now you can call me biased (because I am an engineer) but if you think about every problem that Africa faces, there is engineering solution. What Africa really needs is more of its people to become engineers and work in their countries.
This is why my social innovation is just that – an organization that promotes engineering, and innovation. There is an abundance of smart people out there, and only through education and engineering can we re-engineer Africa to alleviate problems like water-borne diseases, food security, provision of electricity etc.
South African Women in Engineering (SAWomEng), my non-profit organization, focuses on attracting and retaining women into engineering. Why women, why the gender bias you ask? Female engineers globally make up less that 20% of all engineers. They have been an under-utilized resource in the worksforce. If more women were trained as engineers more solutions would likely emerge for a host of development challenges, including water quality and availability, sanitation, and resource efficiency. According to many commentators, growth in the areas of science, engineering and technology could be the catalyst for job creation, social upliftment and economic development. In order to address the massive skill shortages experienced, and simultaneously promote progressive thinking in this arena, it is vital that Africa the number of engineers, and SAWomEng is the vehicle that can create change. Go to www.sawomeng.org.za to learn more.
The year 2020 dawns – where am I? At headquarters of course. WomEngGlobal is now a developmental agency working with empowering females around the world to study engineering. Students who graduate from the program spend a year-long internship in a province in a developing country working on implementation of water reticulation systems and sustainable energy systems. Together with local municipalities, they not only implement the projects, but they teach the community how to use the systems, and make the community self-sustaining. WomEngGlobal – creating engineering innovation to have long lasting impacts on communities.
Now you can call me biased (because I am an engineer) but if you think about every problem that Africa faces, there is engineering solution. What Africa really needs is more of its people to become engineers and work in their countries.
This is why my social innovation is just that – an organization that promotes engineering, and innovation. There is an abundance of smart people out there, and only through education and engineering can we re-engineer Africa to alleviate problems like water-borne diseases, food security, provision of electricity etc.
South African Women in Engineering (SAWomEng), my non-profit organization, focuses on attracting and retaining women into engineering. Why women, why the gender bias you ask? Female engineers globally make up less that 20% of all engineers. They have been an under-utilized resource in the worksforce. If more women were trained as engineers more solutions would likely emerge for a host of development challenges, including water quality and availability, sanitation, and resource efficiency. According to many commentators, growth in the areas of science, engineering and technology could be the catalyst for job creation, social upliftment and economic development. In order to address the massive skill shortages experienced, and simultaneously promote progressive thinking in this arena, it is vital that Africa the number of engineers, and SAWomEng is the vehicle that can create change. Go to www.sawomeng.org.za to learn more.
The year 2020 dawns – where am I? At headquarters of course. WomEngGlobal is now a developmental agency working with empowering females around the world to study engineering. Students who graduate from the program spend a year-long internship in a province in a developing country working on implementation of water reticulation systems and sustainable energy systems. Together with local municipalities, they not only implement the projects, but they teach the community how to use the systems, and make the community self-sustaining. WomEngGlobal – creating engineering innovation to have long lasting impacts on communities.
Views: 90
Tags: 1, IMAGINE, engineering, innovation, social
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Comment by Naadiya on March 29, 2010 at 7:23pm -
Hey Panamericana...your football team should do very well :) I cant wait to see them play..if they make the semi finals, they will play in my city :)
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Comment by Bongumusa on March 29, 2010 at 7:29pm -
It is from your practcal experience and research gathering. You did a great job. Congratulation!
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Comment by Gene Becker on March 30, 2010 at 2:38am -
Great 2020 vision Naadiya. I guess you know about the Anita Borg Institute and the Society for Women Engineers, also working toward similar objectives? +20 Vision, with regards from Alchemy.
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Comment by Catherine Gentry on March 30, 2010 at 4:59pm -
What a wonderful idea. Women have a major role in transforming the world. I applaud your efforts.
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Comment by Bonan Zhang on April 30, 2010 at 4:54am -
That's a fantastic goal! I'm an Electrical Engineering student at the University of Maryland. We have two related programs called Engineers Without Borders and Women in Engineering. I'm confident that both groups would like to collaborate with SAWomEng. What projects are you guys currently working on?
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Comment by Naadiya on April 30, 2010 at 7:25am
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Hi Bonan
We have three different projects - our GirlEng workshops these are aimed at High school students -its three different workshops -1st is an info session on engineering 2nd is more intense workshop, where students work on a mini engineering project and the final is a mentorship workshop where mentors assigned to students help with university applicationforms, sponsoring companies give scholarships etc
The second program is the conference -it is more like a fellowship for the top 70 female engineering students in South Africa. it starts with a weeklong workshop-they are exposed to mentors, networking and activities -they also have to complete a technical project based on providing an engineering service in informal settlement - the winning team comes back to cape town for a 6 week internship to help implement the project
final is the @network workshops - focussed on engineers in the industry. Its workshops for networking, career development and loads more.
please feel free to email me on naadiya@sawomeng.org.za would love to collaborate -also check out our website www.sawomeng.org.za
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