Humanitarian Engineering - An Introduction

Humanitarian Engineering is the application of stakeholder-centred engineering to improving well-being of marginalised people and disadvantaged communities, including participatory design of appropriate technologies. To engage in successful humanitarian practice, engineers employ empathy, compassion, and ability to build trust. This requires core skills and competency in and awareness of cultural and societal differences, effective intercultural communication, and application of engineering theory and practice to humanitarianism. Humanitarian Engineering recognises that vulnerable and Indigenous communities must inform development of systems that serve them, and that access to safe and resilient critical services is a human right in a world of changing climate, increasing urbanisation and exposure to hazards. This course gives an overview of Humanitarian Engineering, instills core relevant skills and competency, help structure their study plan for the Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering, and guide them on their journey to Humanitarian Engineering practice. This course is for anyone who wants to widen their perceptions of engineering, grow at a personal level, and position themselves as engineering professionals with clearly articulated humanitarian and ethical principles, and with sound foundations in bicultural and multicultural competence. This course is also for those wanting to see their engineering skills applied to development projects with high social impact.