The Engineering for People Design Challenge, a project run by Engineers Without Borders UK, has earned a place on the New Radicals 2016 list of 50 top people, projects and organisations changing the UK for the better. The list is compiled by innovation charity Nesta and The Observer.

The Engineering for People Design Challenge is a radical project being delivered in partnership with universities around the world to inspire engineering students to find creative solutions to real world problems. It was launched in 2012 with the aim to create a new generation of globally responsible engineers.

By embedding modules using real contexts in the engineering syllabus, it challenges potential engineers to think about designing solutions that are ethical, environmentally sound and culturally sensitive and understand their future role as engineers in society. Now in its fifth year, the challenge is part of the engineering syllabus in 26 universities in the UK and Ireland, reaching more than 4,600 students. It is also taught at universities in Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

Endorsed by the Engineering Council, and the Engineering Professors' Council, Engineers Without Borders UK is making systemic changes to the way that our engineers are educated, the first step towards using engineering as a catalyst to transform our world.

Tsanko Dimou, graduate and now a mechanical engineer at Arup, said: “The most important thing for me was discovering the human element of engineering. The challenge made me aware of how engineers interact and engage with people, and made me consider our responsibility to them." 

The New Radicals list is in its third year and in 2016 it includes representation from across the UK, compiled from hundreds of entries and nominations. The work of those included on the list spans fields as diverse as hospitality, engineering, healthcare, music, international development, technology, retail and politics.

Click her to read more information about the Engineering for People Design Challenge. Click to see the full list of New Radicals 2016