One of the main objectives of the UCF Initiative has been to help develop curriculum that will teach students skills that are relevant and essential for the continued growth of our industry. Something new that may be on the horizon will accomplish that very thing. UCF has been on the forefront in sustainability in their new construction, renovations and physical plant operations. In cascading this down to the students, the University is exploring the possibility of creating a Master’s Degree program(s) out of a new Institute of Renewable & Sustainable Energy. We will have the chance to help in the development of the program by participating in the advisory committee to create the Institute. This is some very exciting news and I can’t wait to tell you all about future developments.
The other exciting bit of information is the appointment of Marwan A. Simaan, PhD, PE as the new Interim Dean to the College of Engineering & Computer Science. Prior to joining the University of Central Florida in 2008, he was the Bell of PA/Bell Atlantic Professor and former Chairman of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. He received the PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and a Fellow of the Electromagnetics Academy (EMA). He is also an Honorary Member of Phi Eta Sigma, the National Freshmen Honor Society.
As always, thanks for your continued support of the University of Central Florida. Great things are happening that will impact our local industry in magnificent ways. Stand by for more news in the coming months.
