Vancouver, Canada—February 23, 2011—Mitchell Braun, who will be graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in May in civil engineering, recently returned to Canada from a project trip to Galmi, Niger. Braun, part of a team of architects, engineers and others from across North America including UBC graduates Kevin Wiens (BASc Civil ’95), Ian Chan (BASc MECH ’09) and Michele (Disser) Wiens (BA English ’95), volunteered his time with Engineering Ministries International Canada (eMiC).

The team spent a week in Niger preparing the design for Phase II of the SIM Galmi Hospital renovations. The volunteers spent a week developing concepts for the SIM Galmi Hospital compound, facing the challenges of redeveloping a busy hospital without causing interruption to medical services. The team was expanding on the master plan of a previous eMi team. The first phase of the renovations is nearing completion, and the current team continued to develop the master plan design, with a special focus on the maternity ward.

At the end of the week, the team was able to present a master plan, schematic building designs and some details for the maternity ward. The team is continuing to work on more detailed elements of the design, and will provide SIM Galmi with a final report within the next six months.

For Braun, however, the trip was part of a larger experience with Engineering Ministries International. Wanting to use the skills he’s been learning as a civil engineering student to help others, Braun applied for eMi’s internship program. His project trip to Niger is part of this internship, as he puts his engineering education to practical use by assisting with the survey, design, and drafting of the master plan and buildings of the hospital.

“To find that my skills can be used to help better the lives of those in need is both empowering and potentially life-changing,” says Braun.

Braun will spend the remainder of his internship in the Calgary office assisting in the completion of the project report.

For more information on:
Engineering Ministries International Canada: http://emicanada.org/pressroom.shtm
Project Information: http://emicanada.org/projects/projectprofile_10019.shtm

Contact:

ErinRose Handy
Manager, Marketing & External Communications
UBC Faculty of Applied Science
Tel: 604-822-1524
E-mail: erinrose.handy@ubc.ca