1. Diane Tamir, Mahmoud Kabalan,
Jordan Ermilio, Pritpal Singh and James Klingler
Villanova University
2. Agenda
Tell the stories of the “transformation” of 2 students
Briefly talk about their new venture
See it in the context of how NCIIA supported field
experience impacts the career aspirations of students
3. Context
Sustainable Vision Grant: Clean Water and
Energy Technology for Ifugao, Philippines
Provide Technical Assistance to Local Inventors
Facilitate a Small Business Development Program
Assist Local Entrepreneurs Establish Sustainable
Business Ventures
Team
Faculty from Business and Engineering
Engineering students seeking inspiration for senior
projects
9. Diane Tamir
Member of the initial
Assessment team as a
sophomore
ME with a minor in
Entrepreneurship
Manhattan, NYC
NOT looking for a senior
project topic
Dedicated to “service”
and “helping”
½ Filipino
11. Chronology
Summer 2009 Diane is part of Assessment team – first
trip to Maggok, and first look at the micro-hydro
plant. Participates as facilitator in ENT workshops.
Spring 2010 Diane and Mahmoud participate in
NCIIA AI2V workshop at Stanford
Summer 2010 Diane: Internship with NGO in Ifugao
doing further work on Maggok and assisting in
Entrepreneurship workshops. Mahmoud visits for 2
weeks with faculty from Business and Engineering
Fall 201o, Diane’s senior project: Design of a 1 MW
system for village in Ifugao province. Mahmoud
working with her on design.
12. Chronology (continued)
Spring 2011 Diane graduated, and Mahmoud
completed his masters degree, and entered the Ph.D.
program in sustainable engineering
Summer 2011 Diane: attended International
Development Design Summit, (IDDS) Ghana
Fall 2011 Diane and Mahmoud encouraged to request
funding for feasibility planning for implementation of
planned 1MW system. Plan funded ($20,000)
Fall, 2011, Diane departs for Philippines. Mahmoud
follows in later in the fall.
13. Current status
Diane and Mahmoud working hard to identify a site
for their initial 1MW system. On schedule and on
track.
Creating relationships
Building community support
Lining up suppliers
Making initial site-specific design and business model
Maggok site in disarray. Funding issues and damage
from summer typhoon.
14. NCIIA’s role
The grants (and the process of applying and revisions)
empowered our faculty team to engage students in a
unique field experience.
Not another service learning trip
not “Voluntourism”
AI2V process engaged the students as equals in the
process, and challenged their way of thinking.
If you don’t do the community building and get the
community to buy in, the technology will not last
Legitimacy when asking others for money.
Forum to discuss lessons learned and to learn from others.
15. Conclusions
Diane feels that she and Mahmoud no longer think
like engineers, but rather like Social Entrepreneurs.
They see things as interwoven systems, not as stand
alone components.
“Culture might be the most important
consideration when trying to implement a
design”.