University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

Cal State Northridge to Celebrate National Engineers Week

(NORTHRIDGE, Feb. 7, 2008) — For centuries, engineers have sought to put America at the forefront of innovation. Cal State Northridge continues to support those pioneering engineers with its participation in National Engineers Week beginning Monday, Feb. 18, through Saturday, Feb. 23.

CSUN’s College of Engineering and Computer Science has planned several events to engage and inspire current and future students of the college.

"National Engineers Week honors the contributions of engineers by focusing attention on some of the amazing applications that are part of our daily lives," said college dean S.K. Ramesh. "At CSUN, our programs are geared to provide an ideal blend of theory with hands-on education for our students."

CSUN has a long tradition of hosting an E-Week celebration each year, and it coincides with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s education initiative aimed to boost the number of California-trained engineers.

"In the governor’s state of the state address, Schwarzenegger reiterated the Labor and Workforce Development Agency projections that California will need approximately 20,000 to 24,000 additional engineers educated in California to begin meeting the growing engineering needs of both the private and public sectors over the next decade," said Ramesh.

To kick off the week, the college will present noted engineer Asad Madni in "The Professor for a Day" series, Monday, Feb. 18, from 12 to 1 p.m. in Room JD1619 of Jacaranda Hall on the north side of campus.

Madni is an internationally recognized authority on emerging technologies, with more than 30 years of experience in intelligent system design and signal processing. He has authored more than 140 publications and is credited with numerous patents resulting in industry firsts. Madni currently serves as the executive managing director and chief technical officer of Crocker Capital, one of the premier equipment leasing companies in the United States.

Among the bustle of events planned for the week, students of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers will visit local high schools and middle schools for a catapult competition on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Saturday evening, faculty members will be honored at the 53rd consecutive Engineer’s Council National Engineer’s Week Honors & Awards Banquet. Professors Sharlene Katz and Behzad Bavarian are being recognized for their accomplishments and for being inspirations to future generations of engineers.

Prior to E-Week, students are invited to Tech Fest, where a variety of technical firms will be looking to fill positions. Companies include the Los Angeles Unified School District, Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center and the Walt Disney Company. The event is scheduled to take place Monday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Student Union Grand Salon.

In addition, Tech Fest will showcase awards and accomplishments earned by engineering faculty and students, including the formula car, intelligent ground vehicle, steel bridge, micromouse and the autonomous helicopter.

"Just in the past year, student teams from our college have earned recognition and won prizes in a variety of events," said Ramesh. "Many of these award-winning entries will be on display during Tech Fest, which promises to be a hit with over 40 companies scheduled to participate."

Ramesh noted how well-rounded the college is in preparing and educating students for a future in engineering and computer science.

"Innovative programs, like our Honors Co-Op and design clinics, partner with industry to empower our students with a sense of entrepreneurship and leadership preparing them for the challenges ahead as they enter the 21st century workforce," he said.

For more information on CSUN’s E-Week, call (818) 677-4501. For information regarding National Engineers Week, visit www.eweek.org.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science at Northridge is home to several nationally recognized programs where students gain valuable hands-on experience working alongside faculty members and industry professionals on cutting-edge research. By blending the practical application of the professions with a strong foundation in theory, the college has maintained a consistent following by alumni and friends from industry who value the career-oriented education that students receive throughout their course of study at the university.