Blog Post: Help ASU help save the world!!!

If you could be involved in helping solve one of the world's greatest challenges, what would it be? ASU is undertaking a bold and ambitious journey to identify and decide which of today's global challenges ASU is best suited to tackle.

ASU ranks in the top 20 in terms of research expenditures among universities without a medical school and benefits from the collective passion and intelligence of its 67,000 enrolled students and its 275,000-plus alumni. To better harness these advantages, and provide an easier way for community members outside of the university to participate in solving the world’s most pressing problems, ASU is unveiling the Challenges Project, an ambitious initiative that aims to identify the local and global issues most urgently in need of resolution and invite everyone—alumni, students, faculty, staff, the public—to help the university tackle them head-on.

The project is a way of magnifying the impact of the university, by asking people to pitch in and work on issues that concern them the most. A kick-off event for the project slated for early March will explain ASU’s plan in greater detail.

Eradicating hunger and disease, improving education, accelerating research on alternative energy sources, strengthening the local economy, cultivating sustainability, teaching peace and strengthening families are among the challenges that have been suggested at the project’s Web site, http://asuchallenges.com. The site will be in information-gathering mode through at least May.

Later this year, it will provide visitors a place to volunteer to provide expertise, serve on a panel, work on a team, donate resources, or serve as an advocate for problems identified and selected to be part of the initiative with the public. These opportunities will all provide excellent chances for you to work on some thing you care about, and network with like-minded members of your community. Who knows where something like that could lead, career wise!

Visit the site today and advocate for your favorite cause! Suggestions are welcome from all community members, regardless of ASU affiliation.

Help ASU identify the world’s greatest challenges!