General News

Kiaora EWB-ians!

Attached is an update of what's been happening in Engineers Without Borders this past month.

Features in this newsletter are:

• The Inaugural EWBNZ Open Design Challenge 2008- Currently open for registration across all major NZ tertiary institutions.
• Simulation projects for Local Community Health Services
• Upcoming Tree Planting on the 31st May

Have a good weekend!

The EWBNZ team

The fee for the seminar has now been lowered to only $75 !

The details of the seminar are as follows:

What: Sustainable Indicators
When: Friday 30 May
Where: AUT Conference Centre, 585 Great South Road,
Penrose, Auckland.
Time: 9am - 5pm
Presenter: Dr David Kettle
More information:  Download programme from
http://www.nzsses.auckland.ac.nz/forums/index.htm

Fee: $75 Special full-time student rates for EWB Members
This is highly discounted price from the $375 price for non-members or $295 for NZSSES, IPENZ and RSNZ members.

The inaugural EWBNZ Open Design challenge will be commencing on 26th May 2008. This challenge is an excellent way to use your acquired engineering knowledge to design a sustainable, appropriate solution to one of four real problems. The challenges facing the communities on the small islands in the Tafea Province of Vanuatu are very real and require unique solutions due to their geography, social and economic background and renewable resources. The winning design solutions will be passed onto VANREPA (Vanuatu Renewable Energy and Power Association) for possible implementation. The top three teams will receive a share from the total prize pool of $2000!

The design challenge is aimed at teams of 2-6 people from all disciplines, years and universities and each team is to submit a 5000 word report due 13th September 2008.
Please see the attached flyer.

It's currently Fairtrade Fortnight and World Vision has a great event and offer for EWBians!

There is a forthcoming NZSSES (NZ Society for Sustainability Engineering and Science) Forum on Biofuels. Make use of this opportunity to find out more about the biofuels debate!

These two simulation projects for the Auckland Hospital and Student Health Clinic are crucial work that is needed in order for each of these centers to receive sufficient funding for staff. For more information on the projects see http://www.ewb.org.nz/projects

Application for this have now closed

This video documentary is the untold story of the epic political struggle
between teachers and radical right during the 1980s and 1990s.

7.30pm, Thursday 17 April.

Room 3.407, School of Engineering,
University of Auckland

EWB is going for a walk! Join us in the break to go out to the
Waitakeres and have a day trek. Be in the company of good people, good
weather and glorious nature!

11am Thursday 17th April (Mid-semester break)
Huia Loop track

Follows Fletcher track onto Donald McLean, returning
on Karamatura track and passing Karamatura falls (See
map attached). Reasonable fitness required with steep sections.

Bring suitable footwear, togs, water and food for a
picnic lunch.

Parking is off Huia Rd at start of track just passed
Huia Bay or in Huia Bay.
Huia Rd is left from the roundabout on Titirangi Rd
after Titirangi.

All welcome - We will be heading off at 11am so arrive early. For
more information or if you require transportation, contact us at

events@ewb.org.nz

This article from Bernard Amadei, the founder of Engineers Without Borders (USA), is a great example of what  Engineers Without Borders is about:

Engineering as diplomacy
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/356541_engineer27.html