Electricity + Control March 2021

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE

Engineers Without Borders design challenge

E lectrocomponentsplc, theglobal omni-channel solutions partner for industrial and electronics customers and suppliers, has signed a one-year partnership agreement with Engineers Without Borders International, a leading movement that puts global responsibility at the heart of engineering in every part of the world. For the duration of the partnership, Electrocomponents will provide financial and hands-on support to Engineers Without Borders South Africa and Engineers Without Borders UK for the annual Engineering for People Design Challenge, as well as the Inspiring and Building Community Leaders programme. The competition, now in its tenth year, is a collaboration in 2020/21 between three of the 60 Engineers Without Borders organisations: in the UK, South Africa and the USA. The objective underpinning this challenge is to encourage university students to broaden their awareness of the social, environmental and economic implications of their engineering solutions. The initiative embeds a globally responsible awareness during a pivotal period in the students’ careers and provides an opportunity for them to develop solutions that could make a positive difference to communities and individuals around the world. More than 7 000 first- and second-year university engineering students across three continents are competing this year to find practicable ways to improve the livelihoods of people in the neighbouring communities of Lobitos and Piedritas on the northern coast of Peru. Though popular as a surfing destination, the two towns experience significant challenges with sustainable waste management, energy, food and water supply, digital communications and transport infrastructure. The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded the difficulties, limiting access to the economic benefits the growing tourism industry offers through employment, investment and direct tourist spending.

As well as providing essential funding to the Engineering for People Design Challenge, Electrocomponents is involved at a practical level, offering critical skills training to students to boost confidence in areas such as presentation skills and others. The first of these sessions took place during the Student Designathon in February. Electrocomponents will also sit on the judging panel at the grand finals of the challenge, where the best team from each of the participating universities, previously selected by academics from respective institutions, will showcase their solutions in a bid to win the Grand Prize of an educational bursary. The runner up and People’s Prize winners will receive a shared bursary. Electrocomponents’ collaboration with EngineersWithout Borders organisations is part of a wider commitment by the group to ensure the company delivers and promotes the highest levels of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards affecting people and the planet. It is also another example of Electrocomponents’ enduring educational support for the new generation of engineers who will shape our future world. Through this partnership, Electrocomponents has pledged to extend its support to other Engineers Without Borders organisations, with activity planned for later this year in the USA and Australia. Lindsley Ruth, CEO Electrocomponents, said: “Our ESG aspiration at Electrocomponents is to make amazing happen, by inspiring a more sustainable world through education and innovative solutions that improve lives. The themes that run through our plan align well with what Engineers Without Borders stands for and we’re delighted to enter into this partnership. We believe that through our support and participation in the Engineering for People Design Challenge globally, alongside other key programmes, we can nurture the next generation of globally responsible engineering leaders together.” “Electrocomponents has a long history of nurturing

engineering talent so we are pleased to have them as partners on the Engineering for People Design Challenge. The extensive educational initiatives run by Electrocomponents are a reflection of the group’s dedication to supporting and inspiring the next generation of engineers and an indication of our shared mission to engineer a better future for our planet and all the people who inhabit it,” said Jenny Munday, Head of Engagement, Engineers Without Borders UK. For more information visit: www.ewb-international.org/countries/ south-africa/ or www.electrocomponents.com

The Engineering for People Design Challenge focuses this year on finding ways to improve the livelihoods of people living in Lobitos and Piedritas in Peru.

30 Electricity + Control MARCH 2021