Webinar: Ingeniería Humanitaria: Diseñar desde lo Humano

Webinar on Humanitarian Engineering

Introduction to the Webinar

• The webinar titled "Ingeniería humanitaria, diseñar desde lo humano soluciones tecnológicas con enfoque ético y social" is introduced by Arelis Correa and Mónica Rico as moderators.

• The session begins with a national anthem followed by the anthem of the Universidad Nacional Abierta de Distancia.

Opening Remarks

• Claudio Camilo González Clavijo, Dean of the School of Basic Sciences, Technology, and Engineering, delivers opening remarks.

• He acknowledges special guests Sandra Merchán and Juan Lucena for their contributions to humanitarian engineering.

Concept of Humanitarian Engineering

• González emphasizes that while humanitarian engineering may be a new concept at UNAT, its spirit aligns with their academic project focused on solidarity and transformative leadership.

• He discusses significant learning experiences that are meaningful in human contexts and how engineering can transform realities.

Goals of the Webinar

• The event aims to promote internationalization and visibility for engineering as a tool for creating better living conditions globally.

• González expresses gratitude towards those involved in this initiative and hopes participants will find new insights applicable to their educational processes.

Speaker Introductions

• Juan Lucena is introduced as an expert in social studies related to science and technology with a focus on development issues affecting poverty in Colombia.

Transforming Ethical Standards in Engineering Education

Introduction to the Webinar

• The speaker, Dr. Sandra, thanks the engineering team and introduces the webinar's focus on ethical transformation and institutional development.

• Acknowledges participants from Colombia and other global locations, setting the stage for a discussion on educational proposals.

Identifying Key Problems in Engineering Education

• Researchers have identified ongoing issues within engineering faculties that need urgent attention, particularly in Colombia.

• Notable problem: Decline in student enrollment at private universities, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Growth of non-formal education options is attracting potential engineering students away from traditional paths or leading to early dropout rates.

Challenges in University-Society Relations

• Universities face increasing challenges in demonstrating tangible contributions to societal transformation rather than just impacts.

• Different types of universities experience these challenges differently; for instance, distance learning institutions may not face the same issues due to their unique operational models.

Emerging Standards and Demands

• New global standards are emerging for professional training in engineering, necessitating a broader scope of practice both geographically and disciplinarily.

• This evolution prompts a reevaluation of educational goals and methodologies within engineering programs.

Findings from Doctoral Research

Cultural Perspectives on Ethics

• In Latin America, there exists a tension between traditional engineering roles and those engaging with community-focused or rural work.

Perception of Ethical Training

• Many engineers recall their ethical training as lacking or absent during their education, highlighting a gap in emotional and spiritual dimensions within professional formation.

Dominance of Hegemonic Paradigms

Engineering and Development: A Critical Perspective

The Traditional View of Engineering

• The prevailing notion in engineering is that it should solely focus on the development of technological artifacts, such as bridges, software, or process designs.

• There exists an academic community in Latin America that has highlighted this issue but lacks a clear path for transformation.

Global Context and Challenges

• The speaker emphasizes the need to consider the global context regarding higher education institutions and ethical issues in engineering.

• Historical reference to the World Bank's mission in Colombia 75 years ago promises international development would eradicate poverty; however, Colombia remains one of the most unequal countries today.

• The elimination of USAID signifies a significant setback for international development efforts.

Rethinking Development and Engineering

• In light of ongoing violent conflict in Colombia, there is a pressing need to rethink both development and engineering practices.

• Collaborations between Colombian universities and American institutions face challenges due to recent political actions affecting scientific research funding in the U.S.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• As we approach 2030, progress towards achieving the UN's SDGs appears bleak; only 14% are projected to be met according to recent reports.

• This raises critical questions about future goals for engineers and citizens regarding sustainable development.

Committed Engineering as a Solution

• A proposal is being developed by Juan Lucena and another speaker focusing on "committed engineering," which aims to address some identified problems through a new conceptual framework.

• Committed engineering involves rethinking how engineering is conceived and practiced with an emphasis on social transformation.

Key Elements of Committed Engineering

• It incorporates emotional commitment from professionals towards social change, particularly through humanitarian engineering initiatives.

• This approach advocates direct interaction with socially excluded groups, necessitating specific methodologies for practice.

• Committed engineers act as public interest activists using their profession as a means for political action while also engaging in research and development.

Educational Transformation

Understanding Humanitarian Engineering

Paradigm Shift in Engineering

• The current doctoral research emphasizes a singular approach to engineering, advocating for a paradigm shift towards new technological projects that redefine how technology is conceived and developed.

• This shift challenges the traditional development paradigms that have historically anchored engineering practices, suggesting a need for reorientation towards social transformation.

Purpose of Engineering

• A clear goal emerges: engineering must not only focus on technical actions but also embrace volitional and spiritual dimensions aimed at social change.

• Direct engagement with historically excluded groups is essential, focusing on achieving overarching goals like social justice and peace through humanitarian engineering.

Defining Humanitarian Engineering

• Humanitarian engineering is framed as a practice that co-creates socially just and environmentally responsible solutions for vulnerable communities, emphasizing context awareness in its impact.

• It requires disentangling from traditional modern development thinking to align with desired societal models.

Dimensions of Committed Engineering

Four Key Dimensions

• To achieve the outlined purposes, understanding engineering practice and education involves four critical dimensions: pedagogical, methodological, ethical, and political.

• Each dimension must be equitably integrated into professional practice and educational curricula to ensure balanced approaches in engineering projects.

Methodological Dimension

• Essential characteristics include recognizing social research as integral to committed humanitarian engineering while promoting respectful interdisciplinarity that bridges technical and social aspects without hierarchy.

• Emphasizing dialogue free from epistemic superiority fosters equality among engineers and communities or other disciplines involved in projects.

Ethical Dimension

• Engineers must acknowledge their ethical responsibilities capable of driving both positive and negative societal transformations based on their decisions.

• Professionals should develop informed judgment skills while being sensitive to diverse forms of existence beyond mere sustainability paradigms focused solely on ecosystems.

Political Dimension

• Engineers are seen as agents of transformation who should advocate for public health, safety, and well-being within the societies they serve.

Engineering and Humanitarian Perspectives

Intersections of Methodology and Ethics in Engineering

• The discussion highlights the importance of addressing engineering problems through a complex thinking approach, emphasizing the need for methodologies that also consider ethical dimensions.

• It is noted that engineering should commit to serving vulnerable populations, which necessitates changes in pedagogical approaches within engineering faculties.

• Key pedagogical strategies proposed include service learning, critical thinking, breaking the dualism between technical and social aspects, collaborative learning, and social innovation.

Integral Formation of Engineering Students

• The focus shifts to the holistic development of students as professionals and citizens, stressing the integration of critical thinking into traditional engineering education.

• Students are encouraged to question existing engineering tools and models that may not effectively address community needs or challenges.

• New skills emphasized include contextual listening, empathy towards marginalized communities, understanding their political processes, challenges, and aspirations.

Collaborative Problem Definition

• Engineers are urged to develop skills in defining problems collaboratively with vulnerable communities rather than merely solving pre-defined issues presented to them.

• A socially responsible framework for engineering is discussed alongside compliance with international ethical standards for professional accreditation.

Attracting Future Engineers Through Humanitarian Focus

• The potential benefits of humanitarian-focused engineering education are highlighted as a means to attract students who seek meaningful contributions rather than just financial gain from their careers.

• Evidence from the United States suggests that integrating humanitarian principles into engineering can lead to greater student retention and engagement.

Engaging Audience Reflection

• A call for audience interaction is made by posing reflective questions about how these ideas can assist educators in their teaching practices within engineering disciplines.

Discussion on Engineering Education and Humanitarian Approaches

Importance of Professional Training in Higher Education

• Sonia emphasizes that professional training should extend beyond undergraduate education to include postgraduate programs and doctorates, highlighting the need for comprehensive educational approaches.

Contextualizing Community Issues

• Gin Alexandra discusses the importance of identifying local issues through course themes, advocating for contextualization and community engagement to co-create solutions.

Shift in Engineering Paradigms

• The speaker notes a shift towards humanitarian engineering as a response to globalization, indicating that traditional engineering education must adapt to new societal needs.

Motivations Behind Humanitarian Engineering Programs

• The speaker outlines several motivations for creating humanitarian engineering programs:

• Globalization necessitating changes in engineering education.

• Dislocation of corporate employment leading engineers to seek meaningful work beyond traditional corporate loyalty.

• Unprecedented media coverage of human suffering prompting a call for action.

• The prioritization of people within sustainable development frameworks being often overlooked.

Educational Innovations in Humanitarian Engineering

• The speaker stresses the need for innovative pedagogies in teaching humanitarian engineering, including:

• Learning by doing and service learning methodologies.

• Encouraging ethical behavior that exceeds standard codes of ethics.

• Fostering critical reflection among students regarding the purpose and impact of engineering.

Real-world Engagement with Vulnerable Communities

• Students engage directly with street recyclers in Bogotá and Medellín, working collaboratively to design solutions aimed at improving their quality of life and labor conditions. This hands-on approach connects theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Accreditation Challenges

The Role of Humanitarian Engineering in Accreditation

Importance of Humanitarian Engineering

• Humanitarian engineering is crucial for university accreditation processes, providing evidence that programs meet necessary criteria.

• It emphasizes the significance of humanitarian engineering beyond purely technical courses, highlighting its role in fulfilling accreditation requirements.

Paradox of Progress and Development

• The discussion introduces a paradox where engineering contributes to development but often excludes many individuals from its benefits.

• There is a critical view on the assumption that engineering inherently serves humanitarian purposes, as traditional development perspectives have historically marginalized certain groups.

Global Perspectives on Engineering

• Not all engineering concepts originate from the Global North; there are alternative approaches emerging from Latin America focused on social justice and peace.

• Despite existing initiatives like popular engineering and peace-oriented projects, collaboration towards common goals remains limited.

Challenges and Opportunities in Latin America

• Latin American communities show genuine interest in transforming engineering education to address sustainability and social justice issues.

• Various organizations are recognized for their commitment to educational transformation within the field of engineering.

Proposal for a Humanitarian Engineering Ecosystem

Conceptualizing an Ecosystem

• The proposed ecosystem aims to foster cooperation between academic and community actors to create co-developed solutions based on humanitarian principles.

• A hub for humanitarian engineering is envisioned in Colombia, with aspirations to expand throughout Latin America and the Americas.

Goals of the Ecosystem

• The initiative seeks to develop proposals, manage resources, and provide training for stakeholders involved in humanitarian engineering efforts.

• Initially focused on Colombia, the project has evolved into a broader vision encompassing all Americas with diverse actor participation aimed at serving historically excluded populations.

Strategic Interactions within the Ecosystem

• The ecosystem will facilitate resource exchange, concept sharing, project collaboration, and tool utilization among various stakeholders.

Strategies for Institutional Capacity Building in Humanitarian Engineering

Overview of Support Strategies

• The primary goal is to develop and initiate training programs focused on institutional capacities in humanitarian engineering. This involves three main action proposals aimed at transforming capacity building among students, educators, and administrators.

Dual Focus Areas

• The development of humanitarian engineering capabilities will be approached through two key lines:

• Research: Fostering specific skills related to humanitarian engineering research and participation in relevant competitions.

• Cultural Change: Emphasizing the need for cultural shifts alongside curricular changes to effectively impact educational paradigms.

Engaging the Audience

• A call for audience engagement was made, asking participants which capacity-building strategies they find appealing. Responses were encouraged via chat during the session.

Audience Feedback

• Various audience members provided feedback:

• Mauricio praised the topic of environmental care.

• Lucy Marcela Ruiz Moreno highlighted the importance of balancing human needs with environmental considerations.

• Danilo Cárdenas pointed out that engineering alone does not solve issues for vulnerable populations; it’s about how people utilize engineering solutions.

Examples of Existing Initiatives

• Professor Juan shared examples of initiatives already underway:

• Bootcamps organized by a consortium aimed at aligning student training with humanitarian engineering principles.

• Summer courses conducted by colleagues from Universidad de los Andes focusing on imparting essential skills to students through organizations like Engineers Without Borders.

Workshops and Collaborative Projects

• Workshops have been held for educators, including a successful one in Medellín that taught professors how to integrate social impact projects into technical courses.

Impact of Collaborative Projects in Mining and Community Engagement

Collaboration with Local Communities

• The projects have significantly impacted the University Nacional de Colombia in Medellín, fostering exchanges between professors and students, leading to joint publications.

• Increased commitment has been observed between UNAL communities and local mining communities (MAPE), enhancing collaboration with local governments.

• Interdisciplinary collaborations have allowed non-mining engineers to publish in indexed journals on mining topics, expanding academic horizons.

Institutional Capacity Building

• Collaborations in humanitarian engineering enable institutions to engage in interdisciplinary work, facilitating publication opportunities that were previously unattainable.

• A course involving students working alongside recyclers in Colombia exemplifies practical engagement and transformation within communities.

Cultural Change through Competitions

• The "Ilee Tech for Good" competition aims to instigate cultural change by addressing community challenges through student-led initiatives.

• Teams from various countries participated, showcasing a collaborative spirit aimed at solving real-world problems while receiving funding for their projects.

Strategic Partnerships

• Strategic partnerships are crucial for connecting engineering efforts across borders, including collaborations with organizations like Engineering for Change and various universities.

• Diverse partners include environmental consultancies and associations of recyclers, highlighting a multi-faceted approach to community engagement.

Expanding Academic Networks

• Various academic institutions are joining forces to collaborate on multiple initiatives aimed at developing humanitarian engineering ecosystems.

Introduction to Diversa and Its Role in Engineering Education

Overview of Diversa

• Diversa is introduced as a strategic organization crucial for the ecosystem, executing the Tripotech Forbot competition.

• It aims to connect universities with communities directly, enhancing engineering education through practical experiences.

Ecosystem Development

• The concept of an educational ecosystem was launched at the Laxai 2025 conference in Mexico City, emphasizing collaboration among universities.

• More universities are encouraged to join this initiative, fostering community engagement and project development.

Networking and Conferences

Global Humanitarian Technologies Conference

• A significant upcoming conference in Golden Colorado will focus on humanitarian engineering, connecting Colombian engineers with global counterparts.

• Workshops and special sessions will facilitate knowledge exchange among humanitarian engineers from various countries.

Curricular Development in Engineering

Importance of Curriculum Transformation

• The discussion highlights the need for curricular changes within universities to advance engineering education.

• Three levels of intervention are proposed: isolated courses on humanitarian engineering, integrating it into existing curricula, and comprehensive curriculum redesign.

Levels of Intervention

• The first level involves creating standalone courses or workshops focused on humanitarian engineering.

• The second level seeks to embed humanitarian themes into existing programs as specialties or thematic areas.

• The ultimate goal is a deep transformation that rethinks pedagogical approaches across all dimensions of engineering education.

Impact of Humanitarian Engineering on Student Learning

Enhancing Sociotechnical Thinking

• Research indicates that teaching within a humanitarian context significantly enhances students' sociotechnical thinking skills.

• Students develop higher levels of empathy and self-awareness through exposure to real-world challenges faced by communities.

Practical Example from University Experience

Understanding the Role of Engineering in Social Contexts

Contextualizing Engineering Problems

• The discussion begins with a focus on labor conditions related to various stages of material handling, including collection, processing, recycling, and sales.

• A specific example is presented involving a heat transfer problem that is initially trivial but becomes significant when contextualized within real-world issues.

• Students are challenged to relate engineering concepts like heat transfer to the experiences of homeless individuals who face extreme temperatures while living on the streets.

Real-World Applications and Research

• Engineering students are tasked with researching homelessness statistics, such as how many people die from hypothermia each year due to inadequate protection against cold weather.

• The importance of applying theoretical knowledge in practical contexts is emphasized; for instance, understanding how dehydration affects heat transfer in humans compared to inanimate objects.

Transformative Learning Experiences

• The speaker highlights the necessity for engineers to rethink their approach by considering who they are designing solutions for and why it matters.

• A personal anecdote illustrates how one student found meaning in their studies through this contextualization process, leading them to remain committed to engineering.

Audience Engagement and Reflections

• The presentation concludes with an invitation for audience questions and reflections on integrating critical thinking into engineering education.

• Comments from attendees stress the need for connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world applications for community transformation.

Shifting Perspectives on Technical Knowledge

• A key point raised is transitioning from viewing technical knowledge as an end goal to seeing it as a means to serve humanity and the planet effectively.

• Recognition is given to contributions that emphasize human-centered approaches within engineering practices.

Closing Remarks and Future Directions

• Attendees are encouraged to fill out feedback forms for micro-certification opportunities while continuing discussions about humanizing professions beyond just engineering.

Humanitarian Engineering: Prioritizing Human Well-Being

The Role of Humanitarian Engineering

• Humanitarian engineering focuses on improving the quality of life, dignity, and safety for vulnerable communities by prioritizing human well-being over economic interests.

• It promotes an interdisciplinary, participatory approach that emphasizes social responsibility, equity, justice, and reducing inequality gaps.

Integrating Humanitarian Engineering into Education

• A question arises about how humanitarian engineering can be integrated into curricula to enhance technical skills alongside social sensitivity and innovation in vulnerable contexts.

• Contextualizing problems within existing engineering courses allows students to apply their knowledge practically without needing to overhaul the curriculum.

• This contextualization ignites students' desire to engage in real-world projects beyond theoretical exercises.

Challenges and Opportunities in Humanitarian Engineering

• The next decade presents significant challenges for humanitarian engineering in Latin America due to climate change, migration crises, and infrastructure issues.

• These crises create job opportunities for humanitarian engineers as they address urgent needs arising from geological disasters or support immigrant populations.

Cultural Barriers in Engineering Mindsets

• The primary challenges stem from traditional engineering mindsets resistant to integrating critical thinking with humanities and social sciences.

• Overcoming these cultural barriers is essential for advancing humanitarian engineering practices.

Government Collaboration in Humanitarian Research

• Clarification is needed regarding what constitutes "government instances" when discussing collaboration with humanitarian research applications.

• In Colombia, engineers have historically maintained closer ties with government institutions than in the U.S., facilitating practical applications of humanitarian engineering.

Employment Opportunities Post-Graduation

• Graduates often find employment with governmental agencies like FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), which respond to community needs after disasters.

Introduction to Humanitarian Engineering

Overview of the Session

• The session introduces the concept of humanitarian engineering, emphasizing its importance in addressing global challenges.

• Participants are reminded to fill out two forms available in the YouTube channel chat: one for attendance and another for evaluation.

• The evaluation form is specifically mentioned as starting with "RCA," indicating a focus on reflective assessment.

• Completing these forms is necessary for participants to obtain a micro-certification, highlighting the session's educational value.