Technology for the Benefit of Humanity
From: IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine - March / April 2010 - page 10
By: Matthias Reumann

The IEEE's mission statement says, "IEEE's core purpose is to foster
technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity". The
essence of biomedical engineering is to develop technology for the benefit of
the patient and humanity. It is not surprising that this year's (2009) "IEEE
Presidents' Change the World Competition" had many projects awarded that were
related to biomedical engineering. The task of the competition was to tackle
real-world problems using engineering, science, computing, and leadership
skills to benefit the community and/or humanity. 

The IEEE's Distinguished Student Humanitarian Prize of $5,000 was awarded to
students at B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology, India.
The team developed electronic aids for physically / mentally handicapped
children. The aim was to use electroncis to help physically / mentally
handicapped children of USHAS Center for Exceptional Children, Hubli, India
by developing games / devices / toys, etc that will create excitement /
interest in the children to play them and hence undergo physical / mental
exercise, which is prescribed to overcome them from their disability but
which they normally tend to neglect due to lack of enthusiasm and interest. 

Links:
IEEE Presidents' Change the World Competition
http://www.ieee125.org/change-the-world

USHAS Center for Exceptional Children
http://www.ushas.org

Electronic Aids for Physically/Mentally Handicapped Children
http://www.ieeechangetheworld.org/util/2009-winners.html

Winner's flyer
http://www.ieeechangetheworld.org/files/IEEE%20Presidents%20Competition%20Flyer%20FINAL.pdf

IEEE awards prizes for tech that benefits humanity
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10272488-76.html

Indians rise to IEEE’s tech challenge for humanitarian endeavour
http://www.indiatechonline.com/ieee-humanitarian-awards-88.php