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This is "Impact" from the University of California, Merced.
Whether you're analyzing mountain stream samples critical to California's water supply, or
working to provide energy to off-grid villages in India, sustainability is key. It's the
goal of Engineers for a Sustainable World, a research network headquartered at UC Merced.
"The vision of Engineers for a Sustainable World is improving the quality of life and
the prosperity of the planet, but in a way that's economically, environmentally and socially
sustainable."
UC Merced student Brandi McKuin recently traveled to India to study the energy needs of rural
villages that lack electricity.
"The largest electricity demand was for irrigation. The project will probably be focused on water
conservation efforts, like drip irrigation and finding the best way to power the irrigation
pumps."
"These are villages - there's actually 4,000 in India - that have been notified that they'll
never have electricity. So we think if we can help bring electricity to those villages
and engage the students from ESW chapters around the world, that would be a great thing
for the next generation of engineers."
McKuin, a San Joaquin Valley native, was an accountant in a Modesto law firm before deciding
to study environmental engineering at UC Merced.
"I take a lot of pride in UC Merced as a Valley native. It's going to enrich the lives of
a lot of people that may not have the opportunity to go to school otherwise. I'm one of those
people, and it's really changed my life."
This is Eric Alvarez reporting.
For more news about the University of California, Merced, visit our website.