Humanitarian Field Engineering

Humanitarian Engineering is application of people-centred engineering to improve the quality of life of marginalised individuals and disadvantaged communities, including participatory design of appropriate technologies that promote well-being, and the response to humanitarian crises. This is a foundational course on humanitarian engineering practice and is required for completion of the Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering (DipGlobalHumanEng). The course includes classroom-based learning and practical activities. In the lectures, students learn about the Civil Defence and Emergency Management system in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the United Nations Cluster System for humanitarian response to disasters, with content delivered by practitioner engineers and other industry professionals with relevant experience. During the workshops and skill sessions, participants learn practical aspects of how to implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene systems, such as establishing water sources, treatment, and distribution, along with relevant metalwork, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical safety techniques. The culmination of the course is a simulation scenario where participants have to coordinate and come up with a viable drinking-water solution to a fictional humanitarian engineering emergency. Throughout the course, students are challenged to improve their communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. This is a prerequisite for ENHE401 Humanitarian Engineering Community Project.