Teaching Engineering Design with a focus on the developing world

The paper describes a program, Entrepreneurs without Borders and a project undertaken through the program.The program seeks to establish entrepreneurship opportunities for the developing world.This will be done through student teams comprising both engineering and business majors at Rowan University.The engineering and business students perform a survey of local communities in the developing world, identified as having a need for engineering skills by Engineers without Borders 1 .During this initial survey, the students identify local entrepreneurial opportunities that require redesign or development of a device that will enhance the quality of life of the local area.The students then work on redesigning or development of the device using local materials and input from the local community.The business students on the team perform a business feasibility analysis and present the plan to the community, which can then develop these devices for the local or wider region.The first project undertaken through the program was redesign of a human powered grain crusher for a community in Senegal.The grain crusher being designed at Rowan University has undergone many revisions to make it more affordable and sustainable.It can be powered using a bicycle and therefore can utilize human energy for crushing grains efficiently.The design process undertaken by a group of engineering students is described in the paper.They also interacted closely with a group of business students to develop a marketing and business plan, which is in the process of being developed.The students benefited from the project by interacting in a group environment with a multidisciplinary group of students.In addition, they also learned about conditions in the developing world and coming up with sustainable designs that are sensitive of the local environment.