Community service engineering interdisciplinary engagement of engineering with the field of social work

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a multi campus, multidisciplinary curriculum for graduated engineers. Focus is placed on the societal role of engineering and the potential added value of technology for organisations in the social profit sector and for vulnerable groups in society that are the target public of these social profit organisations. The paper first demonstrates the role engineers have to play in the social sector by shortly presenting some best practice examples: an app that supports people with intellectual disabilities, a side table fitting the needs of elderly, a communication platform for people unable to read or write, etc.