ECE’s role in meeting societal challenges in the 21st century Pritpal (“Pali”) Singh Professor and Chairman ECE Department Villanova University Villanova, PA (610) Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

UN Millenium Development Goals 1.End Extreme Poverty and Hunger 2.Universal Primary Education 3.Eliminate Gender Disparity in all levels of Education 4.Reduce by 2/3 under 5 mortality rate 5.Reduce by ¾ the maternal mortality ratio 6.Combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases 7.Ensure Environmental Sustainability 8.Develop a Global Partnership for Development Source: Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Relevant Areas of ECE Power Communications Computers and IT technology Biomedical devices ECE professionals Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

General Areas where ECE technologies and professionals can help Water efficient agriculture Improved health care Remote and distance education Economic development through IT training Power and communications infrastructure Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Example 1: Solar powered drip irrigation system Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Example 2: The “Solar Suitcase” Improving maternal health care in Northern Nigeria Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Using the Solar Suitcase in Nicaragua Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

…to charge cell phones Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Example 3: Rwanda’s Investment in IT Education Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

College of Engineering Carnegie Mellon University ECE Department Heads Association Meeting Presented by: Ed Schlesinger March 14, 2010 Regional ICT Center of Excellence | Rwanda Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Population of about 10.5M people Not many natural resources Politically Stable and a visionary President (Paul Kagame) Total Government Budget about $1.5B/yr (50% is donor money) The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment and pursuing market-oriented reforms. (CIA World Fact book 2009) Rwanda | The Country Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Project Background Connect Africa Summit in 2007 – Intent to create Five Regional Centers of Excellence (CoE) in Africa announced President Kagame “laid claim” to a Regional CoE in ICT President Kagame’s vision for the Regional CoE in Kigali – Create ICT trained workforce to create Economic Development ICT trained workforce will attract IT companies (e.g. Google, Microsoft, IBM, etc) Opportunity to create ICT based start-ups Region needs ICT trained workforce for its infrastructure This is President Kagame’s project. He is personally involved and has made a commitment to make this happen. – Project supported by Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, and other senior government officials Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Rwanda’s vision to stimulate economic development through technology and capacity-building Carnegie Mellon’s international experience in research and educational programs Carnegie Mellon’s strong industrial partnerships with companies such as Google, Apple, Sony, IBM, General Motors and BP Background | Strategic Partnership Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Center of Excellence Structure Initial focus on Grad education in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – Professional MS degree programs in IT and/or ECE at the core of a multi-component design – May be expanded to other programs in Engineering at a later date. Attract students from the entire East African region Innovation Incubator and Advanced Practical Training components to complement the core graduate programs CoE will operate as “CMU inside” and “CMU outside” – CMU MSIT and/or ECE degrees to be awarded – CMU will be responsible for hiring of faculty and staff and operating the CoE – Infrastructure (academic building, dormitories, etc) to be provided by GoR Status – 6 students admitted in F08 for MSIT degree in INI; – 1 student admitted for MSIT in F09, and 1 student admitted in CEE for PhD. – Goal is students a year in Pittsburgh for the next 3-5 years – Continue to develop plans for the Regional CoE Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Example 4: Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Mountainous region of Nicaragua Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Rice Terraces in Ifugao, Philippines Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Microhydro in the Philippines Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Example 5: Using Cell Phones for Education Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

One Laptop per Child Program Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010

Villanova Solar Electric Projects Health Clinic in Ilembo, Tanzania and maternity home in the Congo

Villanova Solar Electric Projects (cont’d) Solar Applications in Nicaragua and Bali

Summary Different areas in which ECE can help meet challenges of 21 st Century: Power Communications Computers and IT technology Biomedical devices ECE professionals Mid-Atlantic ECEDHA Presentation, Lehigh University, July 16-17, 2010