International Humanitarian Innovation Academy

Our Entrepreneurship Group is developing their business ideas: a bio-composting company and a water filter producer in Tanzania

We are directly diving into engaging discussions on sanitation challenges and teamwork using Design Thinking approaches to come up with innovative ways to promote handwashing in rural areas.

We reached Dar Es Salaam and our Summer School has started. Thanks to the Irish Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr. Paul Sherlock, for giving the opening address.

The first 7 are heading to Tanzania. Looking forward to see everyone in Dar Es Salaam for our Summer School.

Meet Shannon. She recently finished studying History of Art & Architecture and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin - two disciplines she is very passionate about. Whilst studying philosophy, she specialised in Political Philosophy and Moral Philosophy, giving her an understanding of topics such as liberty, justice, human rights, borders, and global issues and conflicts that arise because of these matters between different cultures. She is also interested in understanding the nature of morality and different societies’ behavioural conduct and concepts of right and wrong. She is also deeply interested in the arts and all matters of aesthetics and is currently volunteering at the National Gallery of Ireland. She will bring some very valuable skills to our Summer School in Dar Es Salaam!

Meet Michael. He has a M.Sc. in Environmental Chemistry with a minor in Ecology. Michael has worked previously as an analytical/environmental chemist and in wetland restoration. He is currently a PhD student at Trinity College Dublin studying wetland hydrology and greenhouse gas emissions. He thinks that a wide range of environmental issues fall at the intersection of human needs with ecology, hydrology, and chemistry, and, more importantly, believes that global human needs can be met sustainably.

Meet Nathan. He recently finished a Master’s degree in Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering from Trinity College Dublin. As an undergraduate, Nathan worked in the infrastructure department of Arup Dublin, and will soon be returning there to begin work as a bridge engineer. Nathan loves sport, he plays hockey and has coached a number of youth teams at his club. He also enjoys live music and travel, and hopes to work abroad as a civil engineer in the near future. First stop: Tanzania!

From Belgium to Ireland to Tanzania: Meet Jan! In 2017 he started a PhD on heat recovery from wastewater at Trinity College Dublin as part of an international project, called Dwr-Uisce, aiming to improve the efficiency of water networks. Before this, Jan worked as a researcher at ULB in Belgium, mostly focusing on the water-energy nexus and energy storage. Jan also, previously, supported Engineers Without Borders with technical consulting and coordination for installing a solar pump in North Uganda.

The Pub Quiz is on at Doyles Bar. Good luck to every team tonight!

Meet Iseult. She has just finished her masters in Mechanical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and will join us in Tanzania this summer. Her main engineering interests lie in control, dynamics, acoustics, and renewable energy. Her Master’s thesis looked at the control of sloshing liquids in tanks to increase the efficiency and safety of vehicles transporting liquids - some first hand knowledge that might come in handy when we have to deal with feacal sludge transporters! Previously, she was one of the student organisers of the Trinity Engineering Summer Camp. Iseult is looking forward to meeting the Tanzanian students and working alongside them to develop innovative solutions to the challenges presented. She is also excited to experience a new culture and explore a different part of the world.

Another talented student heading to Tanzania with us: Meet Iomhar, who studied Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at TCD. His studies focussed on the performance of sustainable cement in hot climates, specifically those found in the Punjab region of Northern India. His interest in water came about as a result of two summer internships working as part of the water conservation and quality team at Irish Water. Now he is getting ready for the hot summer in Dar Es Salaam; his dog will have to stay in Ireland, though.

We are heading over to Tanzania this month. Time to get to know some of our Summer School participants for this year. First in line: Celia! She is a PhD Researcher at Trinity College Dublin. Her work focuses on global sustainability issues in the sanitation sector by quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from on-site wastewater treatment systems. Her continued interest in environmental challenges related to water and sanitation from her Environmental Engineering studies in Hungary has grown to a real passion through various projects in Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands. Outside of her research field, she is highly enthusiastic to work toward a zero waste lifestyle. Way to go!

A short "Thank You" shout-out to all the amazing people who supported our GoFundMe campaign so far - it stands at 1425 EUR at the moment and with your help we can push it a little more. Please share and check it out if you haven't already.

Click here to support Tanzania Water/Sanitation Project organized by IESS 2017 iHIA, Ireland Hello, I am volunteering at the 2017 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summer School in Tanzania. This three-week long program is organized by the International Humanitarian Innovation Academy (IHIA), a student-led initiative based at Trinity College, Dublin. After successfully completing a pilot p...

For one recommendation from us: "Innovation & Its Enemies: Why People Resist New Technologies" by Calestous Juma. Drawing from nearly 600 years of technology history, the book identifies the tension between the need for innovation and the pressure to maintain continuity, social order, and stability. What are you reading today?

Thanks for everyone coming out to the Dublin Food Co-op, Newmarket yesterday to watch with us. A lot of innovation needed in tackling manual scavenging to achieve

We are going to Tanzania again! After successfully completing a pilot in 2016, this year’s program focuses on challenges related to and affecting local communities. A multi disciplinary group of students from Ireland and Tanzania will work together on developing innovative solutions to address some of these challenges.

Donations received through this channel, will help cover flights, local travel, accommodation and ancillary costs that both Irish and local students will incur during the period of the program: 28th August -15th September, 2017.

Thank you and please visit our website http://i-hia.com

Fundraising: Tanzania Sanitation Project After successfully completing a pilot program in 2016, this year’s program again focuses on challenges related to water and sanitation affecting local Tanzanian communities. A multi disciplinary group of students from Ireland and Tanzania will work together on developing innovative solutions to addr...

Meet Immanuel Darkwa, the Founder of the International Humanitarian Innovation Academy. Immanuel is a PhD Researcher on Humanitarian Innovation at TCD, an architectural engineer, patent holder and well experienced in start-up failure. His interests focus on effective innovation models for demographics affected by complex emergencies.

Meet Oisín Devilly, one of our Irish Students Liason Officers. Oisín is studied Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering at TCD focusing on investigating the development of Vehicle to Infrastructure communications to improve road safety.

Only four days to go! Application for our 2017 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summer School in Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) is now open to all students from Trinity College Dublin. Find out more at www.i-hia.com and download the application form here: https://goo.gl/Ko6kfu

Meet Francesca Wuytack, one of our Programme Facilitators for Creative Thinking & Innovation. Francesca has a PhD from the School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin. Her research focuses on musculoskeletal health, outcome measurement and evidence synthesis. Francesca also holds the post of secretary of the World Spine Care research committee, an international organisation that aims to provide high quality spine care to underserved communities.

Meet Dan Rogers, the Programme Development Manager at the TCD Innovation Academy. He holds a Doctorate in Psychology and lectures in Creative Digital Media. Dan currently works closely with talented individuals (students, academics & executives) to foster a culture where creativity and innovation can flourish. To achieve this, he facilitates the translation of ideas into commercial, social or cultural value for the benefit of the university, the community and society as a whole.

Only one week to go! Application for our 2017 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summer School in Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) is now open to all students from Trinity College Dublin. Find out more at www.i-hia.com and download the application form here: https://goo.gl/Ko6kfu

Meet Jan Knappe, one of our Program Facilitators for Water & Sanitation. Jan has a M.Sc. in Sustainable Development and worked previously for NGOs in South Asia as researcher, consultant, and training content developer. He has a particular interest in the design, performance evaluation, sustainability issues, and environmental impact of decentralized and on-site sanitation solutions. Jan believes that capacity building and the promotion of innovative solutions in the sector are excellent tools to achieving our global sanitation goals.

Application for our 2017 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Summer School in Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) is now open to all students from Trinity College Dublin. Find out more at www.i-hia.com and download the application form here: https://goo.gl/Ko6kfu

Meet Laurence Gill, member of the Steering Committee and Advisory Board. Laurence is a Professor in Environmental Engineering at TCD. His research interests involve studying the fate and transport of both air and water-borne pollutants in the natural and built environment, as well as the development of passive treatment processes. He has extensive experience working on a diverse range of projects with international aid organisations, particularly in Africa.