Data4MIA

Data4MIA started as the Data for Water and Sanitation Infrastructure (Data4WASI) and was conceptualised to address the critical state of South Africa’s water and sanitation services. Municipalities have been facing severe challenges in delivering infrastructure and associated services that meet their residents’ needs. The reasons are complex and include a shortage of skilled technical professionals such as engineers and project managers, difficult work environments and poor data capturing practices. Very few municipalities collect the data necessary for effective operations, maintenance and planning of infrastructure.

Data4WASI is a student internship program that has been designed to assist local government with collecting and updating data required for successful management of water and sanitation infrastructure assets. After its initial pilot, the programme has been incorporated into Engineers Without Borders South Africa as Data for Municipal Infrastructure Assets (Data4MIA).

The program was developed in collaboration with the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA) and has a direct impact on data management for Water Service Authorities in rural and distressed municipalities.

To date the program has provided meaningful vacation work to over 100 engineering students, from chemical, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.

Data4MIA continues to organize student internships with MISA in Cape Town, and is in the process of recruiting other universities around South Africa to take part in the program. 

This program assists students in getting their requisite number of vac work hours required for their degrees. 

If you are interested in getting involved in this program, please contact us on robyn.clark@ewbsa.org