Service Learning in Engineering and Science for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Appropriate technologies have a central role in the alleviation of poverty in the developing world. However, research and development of these technologies are generally apportioned relatively modest support by the world’s academic institutions in part because the operation of many of these appropriate technologies is dependent on relatively well-understood science and engineering concepts accessible even to undergraduate college students. The International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering (IJSLE) provides an outlet for university students that undertake project-based service learning assignments on appropriate technologies to publish their work. Service learning is the various pedagogies that link some form of community service with academic study so that both parts symbiotically strengthen one another. Professors at all of the world’s institutions can capitalize on this opportunity to assist students to learn engineering and science more effectively by offering them a chance to make concrete contributions to the optimization of appropriate technologies for sustainable development.