IT Public Lecture Series

The University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology offers public lectures featuring distinguished leaders on topics related to science and technology. The lectures are designed to share the latest scientific discoveries, explore the impact of technology on culture, and encourage networking on campus. The program is sponsored by the IT Alumni Society.

Engineers Without Borders
'Role of Engineers in Poverty Reduction: Challenges and Opportunities'

Presented by Bernard Amadei

Founding President, Engineers Without Borders–USA

Tuesday, March 4, 2008
6:30 p.m. Reception
7 p.m. Lecture
Tate Laboratory of Physics, Van Vleck Auditorium

Register online now!

In the next two decades, the Earth’s population is expected to increase by almost 2 billion people with about 95 percent of them in developing or underdeveloped countries. This growth will create unprecedented demands for energy, food, land, water, transportation, materials, waste disposal, health care, and more. Today, an estimated 20 percent of the world’s population lacks clean water and adequate housing, 40 percent lacks adequate sanitation. Engineers and scientists are critical in solving these current and future problems.

This lecture by Bernard Amadei, founding president of Engineers Without Borders–USA, will present the challenges and opportunities associated with practicing engineering in developing nations. Amadei will also discuss education of engineers through organizations such as Engineers Without Borders–USA, and the importance of integrating engineering with non-engineering disciplines when addressing the needs of developing communities.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information call 612-626-1802.

Previous lectures

Rebuilding After Katrina
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Fluid Power
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Renewable Energy for Minnesota: Does Renewable Energy Make Sense?
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Crash! The Legacy of Auto Safety Pioneer James J. Ryan
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Math at Top Speed: Breaking Myths in Drag Racing Folklore
Richard Tapia

Seven Warning Signs of Voodoo Science
Robert Park

Venture Capitalism and the Nanotube
Richard Smalley, Robert Gower

Technology-Enhanced Learning
Christopher Dede, James Hirsch, and Doug Ernie

Cosmic Cabaret
Lynda Jeanne Williams

The Challenge of New Materials
Philip Ball

Inventing Modern
John Lienhard

Global Warming: Potential Effects on Lakes and Rivers
Heinz Stefan

This Not-So-Crazy World: Order in Randomness
Raymond Orbach

The Art and Science of the Motorcycle
Charles Falco

The Changing Role of the Health Care System
Earl Bakken

The Mathematics of AIDS Research
Alan Perelson

Deep Blue's Defeat of Chessmaster Kasparov
Murray Campbell

Life's Other Secret: New Mathematics
Ian Stewart

How Geometry Has Changed Hollywood
Tony DeRose

For information on other University of Minnesota lectures and performances, see the events calendar.