ENGINEERING STUDENTS SERVING SOCIAL JUSTICE BY MERCY GLORIA MAKERERE UNIVERSITY UGANDA 2012 SPEED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Introduction Social justice is justice exercised among the various social classes of a society. A socially just society is based on the principles of equality and recognizes the dignity of every human being.

How can engineering students serve social justice? Engineering students can study the community and access its problems and design viable solutions. In so doing, they are expected to resolve problems arising from cultural and social diversity that attend any of the viable solutions in this way they serve social justice. An engineering student can serve social justice by carrying out projects that provide the basic needs such as shelter, sanitation, clean water, etc. In the next slides I share with you the different activities I have been involved in serving social justice as an engineering student.

Societal problems in Uganda Problem Unsafe water Solution Rainwater harvested clean water

Poor solid waste management; Open air dumping & burning Better solid waste management; metallic incinerator( fuel-free)

Problem Poor school sanitation

Solution: Lined Ventilated Pit Latrine

Traditional food storage; Grass thatched Improved food storage; ISSB walls; this setting saves 40-60% lost due to poor storage

Development from using fired bricks to Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks(ISSB) Clay brick making; swamp destruction Brick firing; tree destruction

Producing Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks(ISSB); No swamp or tree destruction Construction with ISSB

Improving housing at low cost & protect environment House & water tank from ISSB in 14 days!

I also offer free mathematics lessons to primary and secondary school going children in their local languages so as to change their perspective towards the subject as it is the back born of some science subjects.

Conclusion There are various ways an engineering student can serve social justice, we should be able to ask ourselves these questions; What can I do to improve the lives of the citizens? How can I serve social justice? We are here to change people’s perspectives of social justice and engineering and we hope you join us in our journey!

THANK YOU