Eight UC Berkeley graduate researchers are working with the Blum Center’s Development Impact Lab (DIL) to expand the avenues available for students from all departments to directly apply their ideas to pressing technology challenges in global development and sustainability. Collaborating with USAID, the federal agency for foreign assistance, the DIL students are laying the foundations for new approaches to efficiently connect UC Berkeley’s existing technological innovations, policy and economic analysis, with the expertise, experience and on-the-ground implementations of one of the world’s largest civilian aid organizations. In the Blum Center’s current pilot study, the graduate student researchers are providing actionable analysis and recommendations that support USAID initiatives. The students and the Blum Center will then use the lessons from this test program to further develop and expand opportunities for student global action.
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