Speaker to Address Engineering Education at UA-Hosted Event

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama College of Engineering will host Dr. Diran Apelian from Worcester Polytechnic Institute as he addresses engineering education for the 21st century related to improving enrollments and inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Apelian, the Howmet Professor of Engineering and director of Metal Processing Institute at WPI, will address critical topics for engineering education Monday, Jan. 26, at 3 p.m. in the Bevill Building, room 101.

Apelian will present a historical context followed by specific recommendations and examples in the education of engineering professionals for 2020. Specific topics covered include the first year experience, active learning, project based learning approach, global educational experience, and the exciting opportunities engineering (especially material science engineering) offers in addressing the societal issues of the world tomorrow. In closing, Apelian will address the issue of the image of engineering.

Apelian received his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Drexel University in 1968 and his doctorate in materials science and engineering from MIT in 1972. He worked at Bethlehem Steel’s Homer Research Laboratories before joining Drexel University’s faculty in 1976.

At Drexel, he held various positions, including professor, head of the department of materials engineering, associate dean of the College of Engineering, and vice-provost of the university. He joined WPI in July 1990 as the institute’s provost. In 1996, he returned to the faculty and leads the activities of the Metal Processing Institute.

The seminar is sponsored by the College of Engineering Teaching Academy.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has more than 2,300 students and more than 100 faculty. In the last eight years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.