In 2008, the National Academy of Engineers (NAE) identified 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century. The Grand Challenges are a call to action that draw attention to opportunities that will improve the quality of life globally. They encompass issues in the fields of energy, healthcare and urban infrastructure, among others.
Drexel’s College of Engineering (CoE) is among 120 U.S. engineering schools that have submitted a letter of commitment to President Obama, pledging to educate the next generation of engineers to meet these challenges.
In addition, CoE Dean Joseph Hughes, Ph.D., in conjunction with Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Ph.D. of University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering, has recently assumed the responsibility to forward the Grand Challenges Scholar Program meant to uniquely prepare a select pool of graduates in five areas: hands-on project or research experience; interdisciplinary coursework in fields such as public policy, law, ethics and human behavior; entrepreneurship; global perspectives; and development of social consciousness. Students who complete the program receive a distinction endorsed by their institutions and the National Academy of Engineering.