Engineers Without Borders UK, part of an international movement ‘putting global responsibility at the heart of engineering’, has launched the 2020 edition of the award-winning Engineering for People Design Challenge (in partnership with Engineers Without Borders South Africa and Engineers Without Borders USA).

The competition engages first- and second-year university students to consider the ‘social, economic and environmental impact’ of their engineering by inviting them to propose a solution that could be applied to a real-life problem affecting people on a global scale.

Now in its ninth year, the Challenge has attracted over 34,500 undergraduates to date.

Already embedded in the undergraduate curriculum at dozens of UK universities, next year’s Challenge has already attracted more than 7,000 students from three continents; their focus will be Makers Valley, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa.

As a result of rapid population growth and economic inequality, the area is facing housing shortages, inconsistent access to electricity and water, and problems with waste collection. 

Students are invited to design a potential solution that addresses one of the key issues and is an ‘appropriate fit for the economic, environmental and social context of the community’. 

Emma Crichton, head of engineering at Engineers Without Borders UK, said: “Our real-life design project provides a platform for students to truly understand how to develop engineering skills with a globally responsible mind-set and place people at the heart of their designs.

“We are thrilled that our award-winning Engineering for People Design Challenge is reaching a wider audience, with students participating from South Africa, the UK, Ireland, UAE and the USA.”

Further details of the Challenge can be found at the Web site (www.ewb-uk.org/the-work/design-challenges/engineering-for-people-design-challenge).