Dear LASER PULSE Network Members,

Welcome to a new decade, and for LASER PULSE, year two of our program. We appreciate your patience as we continue to develop this online platform. Our goal is to make it as useful to you -  development researchers and (NGO, government, or private sector) development implementers -  as possible.

To that end, you will soon receive a questionnaire about how you like to be contacted, what content you want to see, and what functionality you would like to use on this platform.

The platform is meant to make you visible – to donors and to one another as potential partners in development. In order to maximize your visibility, and our ability to send opportunities your way, we need to know as much about your international development focus and experience as possible. So, if your profile does not include information on your sector focus areas (according to USAID sectors), your research and implementation interests and experience, your publications and your project experience in these areas, then it makes it difficult for us to identify you for these opportunities, when they arise.

Since the beginning of the year the LASER PULSE team has been reviewing East Africa proposals and preparing to make awards; releasing Request for Applications for Colombia concept notes; and running a Hackathon on data visualization and analysis for Venezuelan migrant issues in Colombia. We have been planning future conferences - and then developing creative alternatives to reach out to the proposed participants as the impact and reach of the Coronavirus has resulted in travel and event restrictions.

Keep an eye on our conferences page on the LASERPULSE.org website, for updates on our plans for conferences.

Very best wishes to you all,

Andrea Burniske
Program Director, LASER PULSE
Purdue University, Global Engineering Programs and Partnerships
 

1. LASER-PULSE