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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING SERVICE LEARNING FOR
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

At Villanova University, we believe that service learning is a critical aspect of the academic and personal growth of our students as it provides an opportunity to step outside the classroom, put newly learned skills to work, and discover more about the world we share.

Participation comes in a variety of forms, from in-class projects, independent study and undergraduate research to seminar courses and field assignments. A hallmark element of the program includes leadership development through summer internships, year of service assignments and graduate research fellowships. Regardless of format, VESL builds a commitment to lifelong learning and service with a global perspective.

Part of the Center for Humanitarian Engineering and International Development, VESL is committed to projects that are rooted in ethical engagement with partners and communities. Fundamental to this is the belief that empowering local communities is essential to creating sustainable solutions.

The College has established strong relationships and ongoing projects in the following countries:

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Cambodia STEM Rocket Launch

CAMBODIA

Addressing unexploded ordnance with Golden West Humanitarian Foundation and STEM workshops with Cambodian Rural Education Organization

ECUADOR

ECUADOR

Solar home systems, educational intranet, and community outreach in partnership with Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL)

GHANA

GHANA

Sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure and asset management with Lifetime Wells and Catholic Relief Services

INDIA

INDIA

Water resources planning with Profugo and STEM education outreach to children through Himalaya Hope Charitable Foundation

INDONESIA

INDONESIA

Improving efficiencies in agriculture, renewable energy and sustainable water with Bogor Agricultural University

LAOS

LAOS

Water and sanitation system design, and hygiene-related educational initiatives in partnership with Catholic Relief Services. 

LIBERIA

LIBERIA

Sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure (urban WASH) with Catholic Relief Services

MADAGASCAR

MADAGASCAR

Sustainable management of piped water supply infrastructure with Catholic Relief Services

Mexico

MEXICO

Matamoros asylum camp design and management with Global Response Management

PANAMA

PANAMA

Sustainable water network and other infrastructure with Father Wally Kasuboski and the Cheypo Bayano Mission

PERU

PERU

Renewable energy implementation with WindAid and educational outreach programs with the Catholic University of Trujillo

TANZANIA

TANZANIA

Sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene in schools in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services
 

CONTACT

For more information about international service opportunities in the College of Engineering, including how you can help support our students in these experiences, contact Dr. Jordan Ermilio, director of the Center for Humanitarian Engineering and International Development at Jordan.Ermilio@villanova.edu or 610-519-6859.

IGNITING INTERNATIONAL CHANGE

CAMBODIA

In partnership with Golden West Humanitarian Foundation, Villanova Engineering faculty and students have designed and built a low-cost humanitarian explosive ordnance disposal robot capable of operating in low-income countries, like Cambodia. MORE...

MADAGASCAR

Villanova Engineers are working with Catholic Relief Services on the sustainability of water supply infrastructure in Madagascar. The project involves graduate students in the Sustainable Engineering program, as well Mechanical Engineering majors whose senior design projects are innovating solutions to water scarcity problems.

PANAMA

For more than 25 years, Villanova Engineers have partnered with Father Wally in the Bayano region of Panama to develop a sustainable water resources master plan, including gravity-driven water networks, dams and reservoirs. Other infrastructure projects have included bridges, schools and churches.

ECUADOR

With the support of the industry group IEEE and in collaboration with the local university ESPOL, Villanova Engineers are rehabilitating solar home systems in Cerrito de Los Morreños and developing a community intranet to share sustainable education resources among schools on the Island of San Cristobal. MORE...

MEXICO

Former Sustainable Engineering graduate student Christa Cook ‘20 MSSE and current Villanova students are working with Global Response Management to address issues of water, sanitation and hygiene at an asylum seekers camp in Matamoros, Mexico. MORE...