1. Projects for Underserved Communities (PUC)
Cockrell School of Engineering &
UT School of Social Work

2. Background
Projects for Underserved Communities (PUC) is an innovative project-based learning curriculum designed to partner students with international communities in development projects.
Project teams are multidisciplinary, including engineering and social work students. The hope is to include more disciplines in the future (business, nursing, education, etc…) to more comprehensively address community issues.

3. Project Profiles 2009-2010 2010-2011 Patriensa, Ghana Santa Cruz, Peru
Installed electric well at elementary school
Health education in school
Santa Cruz, Peru
Installed water-conserving toilets and faucets
Water conservation education in school
Launch of Patriensa Pure Enterprise
Angola/Peru – Project design only

4. Patriensa Pure Enterprise

5. Briquette Research

6. Community and Partner Relations

7. Course Structure
Fall Semester (2hr) – Register for SW Conference Course with Dr. Dorie Gilbert and attend PUC class on Monday/Wednesday 4:00-6:00pm. This semester will be focused on project selection and planning.
Spring Semester (3hr) – Register for a Social Work course with curriculum related to community development. Weekly team meetings may still occur as the project planning continues.
Summer Implementation (1hr)– Travel to partner community to implement project.

8. Financial Obligations
Airline Travel Costs ($ $3000)
Passport and Visa Fees ($150 - $300)
Medication and Immunization Costs (varies)
Travel Deposit in Spring ($300)
Course Registration Costs (UT tuition rates)
Student Spending Money
Possible Financial Assistance
Scholarships for International Travel
Fundraising activities (i.e. T-shirts)
Donation of Frequent Flier Miles
Family and Friend Support
Self-funded travel

9. Experience Gained International Community Development
Project Management
Community Organizing, Education, and Research
Cross-Cultural Immersion
Cross-Disciplinary
Perspective in Community
Assessment
Leadership Development

10. Contact Information
Dr. Dorie Gilbert, Associate Professor, UT SSW
Laurie Young, International Office