Students Represent University of Arkansas at Clinton Global Initiative University

Photo by Kimberly Cribbs

Front row from left: Ailon Haileyesus, Jerusha Kumpati,Angelica Makuch, Grace Bagabe, Angela Oxford; and back row: Kimberly Cribbs, Bryce Jones, Michael Reinisch.

Seven students from the College of Engineering were selected to represent the University of Arkansas at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative University meeting held at University of California Berkeley April 1-3.

The Clinton Global Initiative University gathers 1,200 college students from around the world for a weekend of peer networking, and sessions with some of the world's leading innovators including former President Bill Clinton, Clinton Foundation Vice-Chair Chelsea Clinton, Kahn Academy founder Salman Kahn, Georgia Congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis, and NASA astronaut and  Chief Technologist Cady Coleman. This is the fourth year the University of Arkansas has served as a network partner by committing $10,000 a year to support UA student commitment makers with seed grants, and travel funds to the annual meeting. 

U of A students participated in plenary sessions, working sessions, and a project exchange where pre-selected students highlighted their projects with tabling and networking. The seven UA students represented three commitments to action to solve some of the world's most pressing problems.

Senior chemical engineering majors Michael Reinisch, Kimberly Cribbs, and Bryce Jones presented "Waterborne Pathogen Detection in a Minimalist Environment." The team developed a hand-held unit that will detect specific pathogens in water sources.

Senior biomedical engineering majors Ailon Haileyesus, Jerusha Kumpati and Grace Bagabe presented "Pneo-Band: Earlier Detection of Pneumonia."  The students developed a device that can be used in developing countries on babies and small children for early detection of pneumonia allowing for early intervention.

Angelica Makuch, senior chemical engineering major, presented "Potable Water for Nampula Mozambique." Angelica's commitment to action will bring clean drinking water to the community Nampula through a water pump installation that will be completely designed by engineering students.

The gathering challenged students to work collaboratively with partners and with members of the community they plan to serve by engaging them in the process early to keep their projects sustainable. Haileyesus said, "The Clinton Global Initiative University annual meeting definitely broadened my perspectives by expanding my knowledge of how to tackle global challenges and by providing an open atmosphere to network with fellow students and professionals. … I realize many people want to make a difference in the world by tackling a certain issue. The challenge now is distinguishing partnerships and collaborations and joining with like-minded individuals to become global agents of change." 

Makuch said, "CGIU taught me that progress can truly be made when people are given the opportunity to articulate their beliefs and explore the change we can create in the world."   

Angela Oxford, director of the U of A Center for Community Engagement. said, "CGIU is an amazing experience for students to be exposed to peers from around the world who are driven by the desire to create change in the world, they have an opportunity to learn from one another and create a path to success for their own commitments."

Learn more about the UA Commitment-makers by reading their proposals and biographies at cgiu.uark.edu. Dates for proposals for 2017 will be announced in August 2016. Additional information can be found at www.cgiu.org.