Programs and Projects

Other programs and projects being developed at CCER include:

-         GIS Lab:

This complete GIS lab is being established with remote sensing software, computers, printers and other items. The students will be able to have GIS training workshops which will be of great use for other Virginia Tech programs that are developing geography studies in the Dominican Republic, for example, Joseph Scarpaci's soil use project in Véron. 

-         Engineers Without Borders:

This group is promoting the construction of a water treatment plant in Véron. This project was born out of concerns that the town is developing a dependency on the resort and does not wish to be seen as a source of long-term handouts. To this end, the resort has requested that Engineers Without Borders at Virginia Tech (EWB-USA-VT) initiate a project within the community to address their water quality concerns. With this project, the community can achieve a greater level of self-organization and social responsibility. 

-         4H Youth Development Program

The 4H Cooperation Group is developing a summer camp for children in communities nearby. This project will allow children to learn about environmental issues while they do crafts and other educational activities. The project is also involving a small group of Dominican teens who will work with the children and learn leadership skills and group management activities. 

-         Spring / Fall Semester Abroad Program

Through this program, Virginia Tech students will be able to have an overseas experience in the Caribbean region. The spring and fall Semester Abroad Program had its first group in January, 2006 with 12 students and 5 professors who shared the unique experience of studying in a tropical climate where they were able to learn about the geography, weather, social and economic issues, bird species, history and other subjects at the places they occur. This face-to-face encounter with subjects and issues provides a richness and depth to the learning experience that is not as powerful when one learns about these things only through books or on the internet. 

-         Hospitality and Tourism Management Program - Airport Survey

Under the direction of Brian Mihalik, Virginia Tech is developing an airport survey with the objective of enhancing and improving the PUNTACANA International Airport. This study started in January 2006. Undergraduate students participate in the data collection and data entry and also translate the survey into several languages. 

-         Mapping Exercises in Véron with INTEC and PUNTACANA Group

With the support of the Instituto Tecnológico (INTEC) in the Dominican Republic, this project is developing an investigation of soil use in the Véron community and looking at how to improve the use of this natural resource. This project helps to identify what the best use of land is for users in the community and how to work with it without damaging the environment. 

-         Church Project

Studies showed the need for a church in the Véron community - a place not only for holding mass (the Dominican Republic is predominantly Catholic), but also to serve as a community center, where programs can be created to get children and teens off the streets. This place also provides a moral presence to combat the growing problems of prostitution and alcohol abuse among the inhabitants of the community. 

-         Internship Program with PUNTACANA Resort and Club and Tortuga Bay

This program allows the Hospitality and Tourism students to have their internships in a nature conservation environment. This way, they will be able to develop not only their management skills, but also their environmental conscience. They will be able to relate to the PUNTACANA mission statement, which states, “We are a family of service, committed to making the dream of visitors, and of members of our community, come true in an environment of respect to nature and social responsibility.” 

Among future projects that have been submitted to Virginia Tech is one for a food waste processor to help with the process of decomposition of organic waste produced by hotel kitchens. The organic waste would then be used to create compost.