WHAT DO WE DO?
The International Water Project strives to create a positive learning experience and partnership between a community, an effective local partner, experienced professionals, and enthusiastic University of Illinois students. These relationships are developed throughout the year long design course, with on campus visits from professionals and on-site explorations. Students from disciplines across campus spend the first semester understanding the dynamics of intercultural design, developing potential designs and strategies, and creating a proposed system design.
Students from past projects serve as Alumni Mentors and aid the current students in design and cultural understanding.
Professional Advisors with diverse expertise provided guidance to the students.
Students from past projects serve as Alumni Mentors and aid the current students in design and cultural understanding.
Professional Advisors with diverse expertise provided guidance to the students.
HOW DO WE ENSURE SUCCESS?
Developed by lead instructor, Ann Witmer, P.E., these governing principles are vital for successful projects:
· The endeavor must have both vision and understanding; either one without the other will lead to failure
· Client community must commit to governing design decisions
· The client community must invest in the system (through financial, resource, and/or labor contributions)
· Design must be technologically appropriate and reviewed for quality assurance
· Contextual considerations govern all communications as well as design approach
· Design team members are consultants to the client community, not principal stakeholders
· A local partner should be involved throughout the design, construction process, and ongoing operations and maintenance
· The endeavor must have both vision and understanding; either one without the other will lead to failure
· Client community must commit to governing design decisions
· The client community must invest in the system (through financial, resource, and/or labor contributions)
· Design must be technologically appropriate and reviewed for quality assurance
· Contextual considerations govern all communications as well as design approach
· Design team members are consultants to the client community, not principal stakeholders
· A local partner should be involved throughout the design, construction process, and ongoing operations and maintenance
what inspired the course?
After traveling to Nigeria as part of an ongoing water project, we recognized the need for a more direct and deliberate approach to helping students learn the skills involved in international service projects. Real world projects needed to be guided by experienced professionals to ensure that the local community and the students leave with a positive impact on each other.
Ann Witmer, a professional engineer with a variety of prior international design experience, acts as the lead instructor.
Ann Witmer, a professional engineer with a variety of prior international design experience, acts as the lead instructor.