SDSMT SENIOR PROJECT EXPEDITION - 2006 - MONGOLIA



SDSMT SENIOR PROJECT EXPEDITION – 2006 – MONGOLIA
(Updated 3/23/05)
Introduction
Mongolia is a country converting to democracy after the collapse of the Soviet Union. As a result of the exploitation and then abandonment of Mongolia, the country was left with a disintegrating infrastructure, polluted environment, and massive unemployment. The goal of this expedition will be to identify and complete specific projects where infusions of American technology can make vast improvements at minimum cost.

Overall Plan
General project types will be identified as far as possible in advance, so preliminary research can be done before going to Mongolia. Project examples might include inefficient drinking water treatment due to old technology, insufficient wastewater treatment due to plant failure, water/air pollution due to waste from factories such as leather processing or mining, deterioration of structures due to poor quality concrete, wasted heat energy due to failing insulation, safety hazards due to poor construction or management practices, urbanization, cultural, or sociology projects.

Each project will be investigated by a faculty-alumni/student team as a senior project. Furthermore, each team will be matched with a similar Mongolian faculty/student team, which will expand the cultural diversity component. On-site investigation in Mongolia will gather detailed information. Designs and reports will be prepared jointly in the USA and in Mongolia with email communication. This component will emphasize the global impact of the Internet design process (outsourcing) around the world.

Itinerary, Deadlines and Expenses
The expedition group will pass through Beijing and will stay there several days recuperating from jet lag and experiencing the culture. China will be the greatest trading partner for Mongolia; in fact, China has an insatiable need for the raw materials from Mongolia. Then the group will travel by overnight train to Ulaanbaatar for the first phase of team organization and project exploration. The second, third, and fourth phases of project exploration will involve traveling to Darkhan, a new Sister City of Rapid City, Erdenet, home of one of the largest copper mines in the world, and Kharkhoran, the ancient capital of Mongolia. All travel will be on paved roads and accommodations will be first class. In all cases, the USA/Mongolian teams will perform the site investigations and preliminary design. Time will be allocated to work on the detailed designs and projects. Finally, an all day conference will be held at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, with proceedings published.

One year of planning is needed for an expedition of this complexity and duration. The primary expense will be the visit to Mongolia, in early June 2006. The duration will be approximately 3 weeks and will cost about $4500. A down payment of $1500 will be required by June 30, 2005. Cancellation, for any reason, will result in a refund of half of the deposit. The group size will be limited to 16 people. Fund raising will commence after the group is formed. If interested, please send an email to mr.hansen@sdsmt.edu and a check for the deposit to Lana Thom at the SDSMT Foundation.

For more information contact...

Work Phone 394-1959

Contact: Marion Hansen

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Last Modified: 05/02/2005