Going the Distance: Carleton Students Partner with Remote Communities on Innovative Projects
By Elizabeth Kane
Standing before a group of community members in Longido, Tanzania, Business student Cameron Somogyi and his Industrial Design student partner Owen Mattan discussed how a handmade kiln could turn a local invasive plant into something valuable — biochar.
It was a small fire-based solution with a big impact, and one made possible through collaboration, conversation and months of planning across an ocean.
Somogyi was one of dozens of Carleton University students who partnered with remote communities through the Sprott School of Business’ Developing Creative Thinking course. The course connects students with communities in Longido, Tanzania, Mayo, Yukon, and Masset, British Columbia, where they co-develop solutions to local challenges or support youth programs. It often involves partnering with students in other faculties, including Environmental Engineering, Food Sciences, and Industrial Design.
“The community tells us what projects they are interested in students working on, provides the local knowledge and shares details of the issues and ideas they have on how to approach the challenge,” says Prof. Troy Anderson, who founded the program in 2013.
The course is grounded in strong ties with local non-governmental organizations Project Tembo and Echo East Africa Impact Centre in Tanzania, the local schools in all partner communities, and operates through Carleton’s MOU with First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun in Mayo, Yukon.
“We want the students to understand that when you’re going into a different community context and culture, you need to take the time to learn,” says Prof. Rob Smart, who leads the Courts for Change stream and is an assistant coach of the men’s basketball team.
“Don’t try and impose your solution.”
This story was originally published in Carleton’s Newsroom. Read the rest at https://newsroom.carleton.ca/story/students-remote-communities-projects/