Innovating The Developing World-WSU

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Innovating The Developing World-WSU

The students of Washington State University proudly present Innovating The Developing World. This event was made possible by Engineers Without Boarders (EWB) and National Collegiate Inventors Innovators Alliance (NCIIA). After realizing NCIIA funds innovative, socially impactful student projects and EWB needs funding for these kinds of projects the two organizations thought it would be beneficial to join forces. This event will feature two speakers who have previously received funding from NCIIA for their student projects. In addition information about EWB and NCIIA will be presented to the students showing them how to get involved with creating positive social change through innovative ideas.

Date/Time: December 1, 2011 at 6:00 PM

Location: CUB Auditorium

Contact Us: Jade Patterson, jade.pattersonsa@gmail.com or Brent Olsen, b.olson@live.com

Washington State University -Student Startups

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If you have ever wondered what it would be like become a part of a start-up company after college you don’t have to look far. Students graduating from many different programs here at WSU are taking innovative ideas to the market and making a difference. These are two recent start-up companies who have been greatly successful.

Developing world technologies: Stemmed from the Malawi Water Pump Project at WSU. The Malawi Water Pump Project brings students together in a multidisciplinary environment to develop technology that meets the needs of users, business, manufacturers and society. A grant from NCIIA allowed Developing World Technologies (DWT) to get off the ground. DWT currently is working with Total Land Care in Malawi along with the University of Malawi Bunda College for distribution of prototypes and onsite testing, respectively. Their mission is, “To develop and facilitate the distribution of culturally relevant, life changing technologies in developing countries by supplying needed technologies to local distribution networks”.

Ecowell: Started as a senior class project at WSU. The group of students was formed through the Harold Frank Engineering Entrepreneurship Institute, designed to bring engineering and business students together to develop a technology and business plan. Ecowell is a plastic free beverage vending machine. The Ecowell machines dispense water-hot or cold, flavored, and even carbonated. Not only does Ecowell promote healthy living but helps maintain a clean environment promoting less use of plastics.

By Jade Patterson

Washington State University-The Best Way To Learn Technology Entrepreneurship?

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According to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Student Services, Dr. Robert Olsen, in an increasingly global and competitive workplace, knowing how to design a particular widget is not going to be enough for engineer graduates today. In addition to having solid technical fundamentals, the successful engineer also needs to know about good communication, teamwork, and real-world applications for their products. Where can a student at WSU obtain these skills? The Frank Fellows Program is a great opportunity for undergraduate engineers to get “Hands-on experience and instruction from experts.”

The Frank Fellows Program is designed to equip senior engineer and business undergraduates with the tools necessary to take their inventions to the marketplace. Along the way students will be provided with successful entrepreneurial mentors able to provide them resources to help them create innovative products within a multidisciplinary team. This program sponsored by the Harold Frank Engineering Entrepreneurship Institute is a twelve month program including a $2,500 scholarship. Within the twelve months, participants will we involved in three week introduction to entrepreneurship followed by one week in Silicon Valley. During the summer students will embark on twelve week paid internship in order to develop their own venture.

For more information: Contact Bob Olsen (bolsen@wsu.edu) or Jade Patterson (jade.pattersonsa@gmail.com)

Jade Patterson, Student Ambassador at Washington State University

Technology Entrepreneurship Across the Nation!

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Welcome!

Congratulations to each of the thirteen new NCIIA Student Ambassadors from across the nation for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  These Student Ambassadors will serve as advocates  for NCIIA, driving the mission of the organization.  For more information on NCIIA, view the website at www.nciia.org.

This blog will serve as an opportunity for Student Ambassadors to highlight entrepreneurial activities on campuses and provide insight to resources that students can leverage.  Increased collaboration between campuses will lead to a greater impact in furthering the NCIIA mission.