Who we are
The Hunt Institute is one of the first university-based organizations to research, scale and implement technologies that greatly improve the standard of living of the world’s developing communities. As a key part of this effort, we are actively recruiting a new gifted, socially-minded generation of faculty, students and implementation partners fully committed to the use of engineering and science for the betterment of humanity.
To provide durable solutions, we identify and implement technologies that are affordable to the world’s most desperate, either directly or through new micro-financial instruments pioneered over the last few decades. In addition, the Hunt Institute provides educational experiences for engineering and non-engineering students alike in the design and distribution of new technologies that will accelerate global development. We are actively connecting local community leaders in need with companies, organizations, and other universities interested in helping build solutions around the globe.
Our Mission
We are shifting the foundation of poverty through action, not charity. The Hunt Institute strives to bring together the most talented minds from fields including engineering, science, business, international development and global economics, and combine their efforts with market forces to improve the standard of living for those living in extreme poverty. With collaboration as a mainstay, we focus our efforts on access to clean water; creating affordable shelter, including design justice for the marginalized; hygiene education and promotion; access to energy; and meeting basic infrastructure needs.
The Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity has three long-term goals:
1. Educate: Prepare the engineer of the future to solve pressing humanitarian issues through skilled expertise and leadership.
2. Collaborate: Form strategic partnerships with business, academia, government and other organizations working in innovation and/or developing countries.
3. Facilitate: Serve as an aggregator and facilitator between communities needing innovative solutions and the organizations building those solutions.
Manifesto
As a national and international hub for development programs, the Hunt Institute is dedicated to shaping the engineer of the future, who will be devoted to solving the world’s most pressing humanitarian issues through skilled expertise and leadership. We recognize that sustainable solutions require a deep understanding of those who will be utilizing, maintaining, and replicating these new technologies. To ensure our engineers, scientists and partners have a clear understanding of the environments in which they operate, new path-breaking technical programs and field research are augmented with special programs in global economics and politics as well as regional history, law, religion and culture.
To learn more, contact us at EandH@lyle.smu.edu or visit: http://www.smu.edu/Lyle/HuntInstitute.aspx
