Please check back for the 2008-09 program details!
Engineers without borders
Maase-Offinso, Ghana
Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Engineers without borders - Ohio
Non-traditional educational opportunities are an integral component of the learner-centered education provided by the Russ College. These activities provide students with essential skills that are crucial for their career development.
Maase-Offinso is a typical village in the developing world where the people are optimistic, warm and friendly. Program participants will travel to this village in the West African nation of Ghana to work with faculty mentors, fellow students and community members to implement an engineering project that meets the needs of the village. The goal of the program is to simultaneously give students the opportunity to help people in the developing world while developing experience, skills, and attitudes that will help them practice engineering in a global environment in a sustainable and ethical fashion.
2007 project description
For the 2007-08 academic year we will be working on a project with the village of Maase-Offinso in rural Ghana. The village has identified their most pressing need as the design and development of accommodations for teachers at the village schools. The accommodations need to be adequate to attract and retain qualified teachers in the village, but yet be affordable so that they are self-sustaining. Specific technical topics that will need to be addressed are structures and materials, climate analysis and control, water supply, energy supply and usage, and sanitation. The initial design and development of the project will be done by students from the Ohio University chapter of Engineers Without Borders-USA, EWB-Ohio, which applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in.
Expected student outcomes
Students will develop an understanding background and needs of the host community and at least one of the subsystems of the project. They will work as part of a team with fellow students and members of the host community to implement the project design, make field modifications to the design, implement training programs for end-users, and perform assessments for past and future projects. They will increase their understanding of living and working in a different culture.
Program length
Winter Intersession 2007
Nov. 27 - Dec. 18, 2007
Application deadline
See Events and deadlines for information.
Application available at Applying to Education Abroad
Eligibility requirements
This program is open to junior, senior, recently graduated and graduate students in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Students from other majors who have the necessary background and interest to contribute to the project will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Living arrangements
Students will be working side-by-side with the local people. They will live in apartments and have opportunities to spend free time with host families.
Courses and credits
All undergraduate students will enroll in a 6 credit course, Engineering and Technology Projects in Developing Countries. (Cross-listed as EE 490, CE 499 orME 489.)
Non-engineering and graduate students will have the option of enrolling in 6 hours of independent study, research, thesis, or dissertation hours with approval.
Costs estimates
Billed by Ohio University
- Tuition: 6 cr Ohio University tuition [NOTE: credits DO NOT count toward your 20 winter quarter credit hours, and are billed separate from your winter quarter tuition]
- Program fee: $2300
- Administrative fee: $150
Out-of-pocket expenses
- EWB-USA Student Membership: $15
- International Student ID Card (ISIC): $22
- Passport and photos: $120
- Visa: $50
- Immunizations & anti-malarial meds.: $400
- Incidentals:$250
Program fee includes orientations, airfare from Columbus to Accra, local accommodations, transportation and food. Incidentals include meals during travel and personal spending money.
Costs billed by OU for this program are separate from winter quarter billing.
Contact information
Dr. Jeff Giesey
343 Stocker
Tel:740-593-1573
