’How to Change the World’ programme launched by UCL Engineering

New programme brings over 500 students together to tackle global challenges from the Red Cross, World Bank and UK Government . Over two weeks, UCL Engineering students will tackle real challenges posed by global NGOs, Government agencies and departments, and come up with their own solutions, from creating resilient communities to predicting the future of urban transport in a new programme - How to Change the World . Developed with UCL Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (UCL STEaPP) as a pilot for the new UCL Integrated Engineering Programme, the course will draw together second year students from management, computer science, engineering and related disciplines. On 2nd June the students will receive their challenges, including: Transport Futures (from Department for Transport), Really Smart Heating? and Valuing Materials (set by Department for Energy and Climate Change), Forecast-based Disaster Preparedness and Crowdsourcing for Humanitarian Work (set by the Red Cross), Safer Schools (set by the World Bank) and Resilient Cities (set by the Environment Agency). Working in multidisciplinary groups, students will devise - and where possible, prototype - creative solutions to these challenge problems. Along the way, a programme of themed lectures, facilitated workshops and group studio time will provide training and spur creativity on how to change the world sustainably, equitably, and collaboratively. In addition, the programme will expose students to the skills required for mobilising change through business, public policy, and social change.