At times, 2017 was a challenging year for the School of Engineering. In spite of decreasing federal funding for research and declining state support for our academic programs, our school was resilient and worked hard to maintain and increase the impact we make on the state and the country. That’s why, as we welcome 2018, we will focus on strategic goals that will continue to move our school forward.
One of those goals will be to increase our research activities, particularly in collaboration with industry partners. With the Innovation Partnership Building at the UConn Tech Park nearly complete, our faculty, students, and industry partners now have access to $40 million in state-of-the-art equipment in addition to $80 million in funding from some of the top companies in the country, including Eversource Energy and United Technologies. UConn has also opened the-new 115,000 square-foot Engineering and Science Building, which provides space for research activities in cyber-physical systems, biomaterials and bio-devices, and clean energy. Lastly, the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, which was announced at the end of 2017, will strengthen our role as a major pipeline for innovation and talent in the multi-billion-dollar naval industry. In conjunction with the $1.5 billion CT Next Generation STEM investment from the state, these resources provide a strong foundation for growth.
Most importantly, 2018 will be a year focused on engagement and making an impact on our communities and the state. As you will see in the other articles featured in this newsletter, our engineering community is actively engaged in advancing technologies that benefit our state.
More than ever, we want to make sure that every innovation, award, discovery, and major event is documented and shared across all of our communication channels. Sharing our accomplishments brings us together and lets the world know about the great work going on in our extended community. If you are a faculty member, staff member, student, or alumni, we encourage you to share your news.
Working with you, our alumni, faculty, students and friends, together we can greet 2018 with optimism and confidence in our ability to thrive in dynamic times
-Kazem Kazerounian, Dean, UConn School of Engineering
