Bernard Amadei
Encyclopedia
Bernard AmadeiBernard Amadei (born July 23, 1954 in Roubaix
, France
) is a professor of civil engineering
at the University of Colorado
, founder of Engineers Without Borders (USA)
, and director of the Mortenson Center in Engineering for Developing Communities. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering
and a recipient of the Hoover Medal
. In 2009, he was recognized with an Award of Excellence from Engineering News-Record
.
(currently known as the École nationale supérieure de géologie or ENSG). Following a year of service in the French Army
(August 1977 to August 1978), he began graduate studies abroad. He earned a Master of Science
from the University of Toronto
in 1979 and was awarded a doctorate
(PhD) in civil engineering in 1982 from the University of California, Berkeley
for his thesis publication entitled "The Influence of Rock Anisotropy on Measurement of Stresses in Rock in situ."
that engineers must hold the public welfare paramount, or above any other responsibility, led Amadei to reconsider his involvement in a hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica in 2002. He thought that this project would displace to many local residents and violate this principle of "do no harm." This realization came along about two years after his first experience with a humanitarian engineering
project.
In 2000, Amadei organized an effort resulting in the construction of a water pump for a village in Belize. He undertook the effort at the suggestion of an immigrant landscaper working at his residence. Amadei saw that the installation of a pump to supply drinking water to the village of San Pablo would have a social impact on this community. Young girls in the village were tasked with carrying water each day from the river to the village. This meant that they could not attend school. Using the engineering talent of himself and his students to bring clean drinking water to the village had a huge social benefit to the community. This comprehension of the larger meaning of engineering inspired Amadei to create a volunteer organization that could enable engineers to donate their services in this manner.
From a small beginning with just a few students volunteering alongside him, the Engineers Without Borders organization has grown to 12,000 members in 225 chapters. Humanitarian aid
has been provided in 41 countries, benefiting more than 600,000 people.
Roubaix
Roubaix is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is located between the cities of Lille and Tourcoing.The Gare de Roubaix railway station offers connections to Lille, Tourcoing, Antwerp, Ostend and Paris.-Culture:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) is a professor of civil engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
at the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
, founder of Engineers Without Borders (USA)
Engineers Without Borders (USA)
Engineers Without Borders – USA is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life...
, and director of the Mortenson Center in Engineering for Developing Communities. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering
National Academy of Engineering
The National Academy of Engineering is a government-created non-profit institution in the United States, that was founded in 1964 under the same congressional act that led to the founding of the National Academy of Sciences...
and a recipient of the Hoover Medal
Hoover Medal
The Hoover Medal is an American engineering prize.It has been given since 1930 for "outstanding extra-career services by engineers to humanity"...
. In 2009, he was recognized with an Award of Excellence from Engineering News-Record
Engineering News-Record
Engineering News-Record is a weekly magazine that provides news, analysis, data and opinion for the construction industry worldwide...
.
Education
Amadei is a native of Roubaix France, born on July 23, 1954. Amadei earned a Diploma of Engineer (Dipl. Eng.) in 1977 in the area of Applied Geology from the School of Applied Geology and Mining Engineering (Ecole Supérieure de Géologie Appliquée et de Prospection Minière) in Nancy, FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(currently known as the École nationale supérieure de géologie or ENSG). Following a year of service in the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
(August 1977 to August 1978), he began graduate studies abroad. He earned a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
from the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1979 and was awarded a doctorate
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(PhD) in civil engineering in 1982 from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
for his thesis publication entitled "The Influence of Rock Anisotropy on Measurement of Stresses in Rock in situ."
Establishment of Engineers Without Borders
A firm belief in the principleEngineering ethics
Engineering ethics is the field of applied ethics and system of moral principles that apply to the practice of engineering. The field examines and sets the obligations by engineers to society, to their clients, and to the profession...
that engineers must hold the public welfare paramount, or above any other responsibility, led Amadei to reconsider his involvement in a hydroelectric plant in Costa Rica in 2002. He thought that this project would displace to many local residents and violate this principle of "do no harm." This realization came along about two years after his first experience with a humanitarian engineering
Humanitarian Engineering
Humanitarian engineering may be defined as 'research and design under constraints to directly improve the wellbeing of marginalized communities'. What is most distinctive about this type of engineering is its targeted audience - those that might be classified as 'marginalized, or under-served'...
project.
In 2000, Amadei organized an effort resulting in the construction of a water pump for a village in Belize. He undertook the effort at the suggestion of an immigrant landscaper working at his residence. Amadei saw that the installation of a pump to supply drinking water to the village of San Pablo would have a social impact on this community. Young girls in the village were tasked with carrying water each day from the river to the village. This meant that they could not attend school. Using the engineering talent of himself and his students to bring clean drinking water to the village had a huge social benefit to the community. This comprehension of the larger meaning of engineering inspired Amadei to create a volunteer organization that could enable engineers to donate their services in this manner.
From a small beginning with just a few students volunteering alongside him, the Engineers Without Borders organization has grown to 12,000 members in 225 chapters. Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
has been provided in 41 countries, benefiting more than 600,000 people.
Awards and distinctions
- Rocha Medal (1984) from the International Society for Rock Mechanics - an award issued annually for an outstanding doctoral thesis in the field of rock mechanics.
- 2007 Hoover MedalHoover MedalThe Hoover Medal is an American engineering prize.It has been given since 1930 for "outstanding extra-career services by engineers to humanity"...
. - The 13th Heinz AwardHeinz AwardThe Heinz Award is an award currently given annually to ten honorees by the Heinz Family Foundation. The Heinz Awards recognize outstanding individuals for their contributions in the five areas of: Arts and Humanities, the Environment, the Human Condition, Public Policy, and Technology, the Economy...
in the Environment (co-awardee), 2007 - Membership in the National Academy of EngineeringNational Academy of EngineeringThe National Academy of Engineering is a government-created non-profit institution in the United States, that was founded in 1964 under the same congressional act that led to the founding of the National Academy of Sciences...
(United States) (2008) for "the creation of Engineers Without Borders, leadership in sustainable development education, and research on geomechanics." - 2009 Award of Excellence from Engineering News-RecordEngineering News-RecordEngineering News-Record is a weekly magazine that provides news, analysis, data and opinion for the construction industry worldwide...
for founding Engineers Without Borders (USA).
External links
- Membership page, National Academy of Engineering.
- Profile, "Engineering for Developing Communities" website.
- EWB-USA Founder on Engineers Without Borders website.
- History on the EWB-USA website.