CO:Exploring Collaborative Opportunities in Ethiopia/Proposal

From The Collaboratory

Exploring Collaborative Opportunities in Ethiopia (Exploratory)

Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 Abstract 1.2 Sponsors 1.3 Applicants 2 Narrative 2.1 Statement of need 2.2 State of the art 2.3 Related experience 2.4 Proposed work 2.5 Partnerships 2.6 Mission fit 3 Summary 3.1 Goals 3.2 Specifications 3.3 Deliverables 4 Activity time line 5 Resources 5.1 Personnel and facilities 5.2 Budget

Introduction

Abstract

The Timothy Project has requested assistance from a Christian engineering educator for a recently established school in Tigray, Ethiopia known as Mekelle Institute of Technology (MIT). While MIT has programs in electrical, electronics, computer and communications engineering and information technology, it graduated its first class of students in summer 2007. Due to the focus of the Collaboratory’s Communication Group, and my expertise directly related to MIT's core curriculum, I have volunteered, at the request MIT’s Dean, to deliver general guest lectures on Transmission Lines, Antennas and Propagation, with a special lecture on satellite technology for Internet connectivity in remote locations. This builds upon my previous partnership with PACTEC, guest lecturing in Chiang Mai on sabbatical during 2005, and my use of the e-book Wireless Networking in the Developing World with Messiah students. Visiting MIT will facilitate future opportunities to collaborate with MIT faculty and students on projects of mutual interest.

Sponsors

• Group - Communications
• Client - Mekelle Institute of Technology, Tigray, Ethiopia (contact: Dean Prashant Soori pksoori@yahoo.com) in partnership with the Timothy Project, Wheaton, IL, USA (contact: Dr. Paul Isihara Paul.A.Isihara@wheaton.edu)

Applicants

• Team advisor - Dr. Harold Underwood (HUnderw@messiah.edu)
• Team leader -
• Additional advisors -
• Additional students -

Narrative

Statement of need

Mekelle Institute of Technology (MIT) in Tigray, Ethiopia has recently established undergraduate degree programs in electrical and computer engineering, electronics and communications engineering, computer science, and IT. This past summer (2007) MIT held their first graduation of over 100 students, and currently have about 400 students enrolled. Representing the Timothy Project, Dr. Paul Isihara, a Mathematics Professor at Wheaton College, is seeking help from other Christian Colleges willing and able to send their faculty and students to MIT for a worthwhile developing-world service-learning experience and/or to conduct a joint summer research/training program in one of their major fields. Paul, a former colleague of mine at Wheaton College, has specifically requested my assistance, due to my position in the engineering department here at Messiah College, experience with the Collaboratory Communications Group, and expertise in areas directly related to MIT's core curriculum. In response to his request, I passed on the following question, "Can you be any more specific about what needs they might have for training, or research interests?" In response, Dean Prashant Soori of MIT proposed the following: "I discussed the matter. It is very nice if he can deliver a course on 1) Transmission Lines, Antennas and Propagation for II Year ECE students OR 2) Microwave and Satellite Communication for III Year OR 3) Digital Communication Systems for III Year ECE Students or any other topics of his interest." In addition, among students at MIT, a need exists for Christian mentoring. Almost the entire student body is orthodox Christian. As Paul describes, "the students we have worked with have been open to praying together and discussing faith-integrative issues." He goes on to say that, "MIT has always welcomed Wheaton students, who seem to relate well with the students there...possibilities are excellent for [Messiah College] student involvement."

State of the art

In an excerpt from one of his email communications, Paul says, "The [summer 2007] graduation marked my 5th trip to MIT. The Lord has blessed (in spite of my serious lack of knowledge) my involvement there with 3 joint papers with students being published in the Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics and its Applications (UMAP)-- dealing with HIV/AIDS, Wind Turbines and Photovoltaic systems. Last summer, 1 worked with 1 Wheaton student and 3 MIT students in a 5 week summer REU (July 9 - Aug 10) which produced a 60+ page paper on the mathematics of wireless technology (also submitted to UMAP). We gave each MIT student a $15 weekly stipend which, for them, is substantial summer employment."

Related experience

In January 2005, I partnered with PACTEC to learn more about how they use Very Small Aperture Antennas (VSATs) to provide Internet connectivity to clients in remote locations, as an exploratory Collaboratory project in Redlands, CA, and Kabul, Afghanistan. During my sabbatical to Thailand in 2005, I served as a Guest Lecturer at Chiang Mai University, delivering presentations, among others, on Transmission Lines and Internet connectivity in remote locations via VSAT. Since then, I have expanded my qualifications and knowledge-base by becoming licensed as an Amateur Radio operator at the Extra Class (highest) level, as part of the plan for Growing the Communications Group. I have also read sections of the e-book Wireless Networking in the Developing World (sent to me by Rob Longhurst, formerly of PACTEC), and distributed it to Messiah College engineering students, who have in turn used it as a basis for course projects designed to extend the range of Wi-Fi signals, with low cost antennas. Thus, the proposed project builds upon previous Collaboratory activities, and draws upon my cross-cultural experience and expertise to address the topics requested, providing an opportunity to pursue future project opportunities at MIT in Tigray, Ethiopia.

Proposed work

In response to Dean Soori's request as above, I proposed to "deliver some lectures on Transmission Lines, Antennas and Propagation and provide a special lecture related to Microwave and Satellite Communication on the application of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) for Internet connectivity in remote locations." The effort requires my traveling to and from MIT in Tigray, Ethiopia between May 31 and June 21, 2008. During my stay at MIT, I also have the opportunity to interact with faculty and students to determine whether collaborative projects such as conducted by Dr. Paul Isihara as above, would be feasible and worthwhile for Messiah College engineering students and faculty to pursue.

Partnerships

The Timothy Project is an Illinois 501(c)3 organization established in 1985 by Donald Church (former Wheaton College Coach and Professor of Physical Education), with the following mission statement “To share the gospel and love of Christ with people of diverse cultures and to nurture and facilitate their development as mature Christians. This will be done through such vehicles as athletics, church activities, music, educational programs, pastoral leadership training and personal contacts.” Since its establishment, Timothy Project has supported many activities around the world, including involvement at MIT over the past five years. Membership of this committee consists of Emmanuel Tahear (SIM missionary and a Wheaton Graduate School student of theology), Pastor B. Elliott Renfroe (outreach pastor at Vessels of His Love church), Tesfai Abay, Paul Newman and Dr. Paul Isihara (Professor of Mathematics at Wheaton College). This group has provided vision, communication, background work, planning of certain travel connections, gathering of other professional team members, and will possibly provide some funding up to a maximum of 50% of travel expenses.

Mission fit

The World Factbook describes the Ethiopian economy as "poverty-stricken," consisting of a large agricultural sector (49%) followed by industry (13%) and other services (38%). As of 2007, the Gross Domestic Product per capita was the equivalent of $700 annually. As for its telecommunications, it is described as having an "inadequate telephone system" though it is increasing from a relatively small scale, while only about 2 per 100 persons have access to fixed or mobile phones. Likewise, the number of Internet users in Ethiopia is a very small fraction of its population. Thus, it represents a region of the world where disadvantaged people live, economically and technologically. This projects intends to provide hope by 1) providing educational services of myself as a guest lecturer, 2) collaborating with the volunteer Ethiopian committee to join with other professional members of a traveling team, and 3) seeking future opportunities for innovative projects involving Messiah College and MIT students. In so doing, the effort should help empower the poor of this country to promote economic development, and exemplify what it means to follow Jesus Christ in the engineering profession, through personal and mentoring contact with faculty and students, most of whom are of the Orthodox Christian persuasion.

Summary

Goals

1. Partner with the Timothy Project by joining a travel team to visit Mekelle Institute of Technology (MIT), during June 2008, to deliver lectures, as requested, on Transmission Lines, Antennas, Propagation, along with a special presentation on VSATs for Internet connectivity in remote locations.
2. Investigate opportunities for future collaboration between Messiah College and Mekelle Institute of Technology (in partnership with the Timothy Project), involving students and faculty, regarding communication technologies such as VSAT or Wi-Fi networks in the developing world.

Specifications

1. Deliver a series of approximately 10 lecture presentations during a two-week period at MIT, on the topics as indicated above, providing opportunities for feedback regarding questions and overall satisfaction.
2. List each project opportunity and/or other activity with a description and assessment as to their value for future collaboration.

Deliverables

1. A Powerpoint presention on each of the 10 lectures indicated above, useful also for engineering students at Messiah College.
2. A document reporting on the experiences at MIT, and listing project opportunities investigated, along with an evaluation of each for future collaboration between Messiah College and MIT.

Activity time line

{{{Activity time line}}}

Resources

Personnel and facilities

Gifts in kind:

1. Human resources including time donated by a) the Timothy Project, b) traveling team members, c) guest lecture preparation and delivery
2. Lodging: housing for 3 weeks donated by Mekelle Institute of Technology
3. Facilities: a) notebook computer and flash drive (author) and b) projector and screen for presentations (MIT)

Budget

Expenses

1. Intercontinental Air Travel: Round trip air fare between BWI and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (based on Expedia actual cost of air fare on Delta and Ethiopian Airlines with stops at ATL and LOS/Dubai) = $2092
2. Domestic Air Travel: Round trip air fare between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and MIT on Ethiopian Airlines = $350
3. Ground Travel: Round trip travel between Mechanicsburg and MDT = $16
4. Meals enroute: 3 weeks roughly $50 per week = $150
5. Collaboratory Overhead: 7% of Ext. Funds Requested ($1300) = $91
6. Total: Exploring Collaborative Opportunities in Ethiopia $2699

Funding

1. Advisor Travel (Internal): W. M. Keck Foundation = $1308
2. Other travel and meal expenses (External): Professional Development Funds ($300) and Timothy Project ($1000) = $1300

	Approved on 2008 03-31
	Leaders Committee: 2008 02-13
	Directors Committee: 2008 02-18
	Executive Committee: 2008 03-31