Quanser Café: Conversations with Academic Leaders

Episode 1: Dean Ishwar Puri, McMaster University, Canada

In our debut episode, Dean Puri discusses a range of topics including what engineering means to him, as well as the challenges and success strategies of rolling out McMaster's new first year program: The Pivot.

Episode 2: Uriel Cukierman, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Argentina

In this episode Mr. Cukierman discusses modernization of engineering education, the need to train professors on engineering pedagogy, proper use of technology in the class room, and much more.

Episode 3: Prof. Natacha DePaola, Illinois Institute of Technology, USA

As a role model for women in STEM, in this episode Prof. DePaola talks about her early inspirations and challenges of getting into STEM and biomedical engineering, as well as her educational initiatives that apply ongoing learning and technical knowledge to solve problems of local and global impact.

Episode 4: Dean Robert Bishop, University of South Florida, USA

In this episode, Paul chats with legendary control theory expert and textbook author, Professor Robert Bishop, about engineering education, and a few NASA-related stories, including how he got to meet and work with Buzz Aldrin.

Episode 5: Vice Dean John Mitchell, University College London

In this episode, Prof. John Mitchell discusses the importance of learning practical applications and how he helped introduce the Integrated Engineering Program, a methodology that combines innovative teaching methods and an industry-oriented curriculum.

Episode 6: Dean Janusz Kozinski, Lakehead University, Canada

In this episode Dean Janusz Kozinski talks about the positive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, and how it has accelerated educational change by expanding the learning continuum. He also discusses the need for integrated engineering programs and why he does not believe in traditional exams.

Episode 7: Prof. Şirin Tekinay, Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC), USA

In this episode, Prof. Şirin Tekinay, a global champion for diversity in engineering, discusses the need for gender neutralization of the professional identity of engineering, as well as implementing engineering education reform to attract and retain today’s digital natives.

Episode 8: Dean Don Weinkauf, University of St. Thomas, USA

Don brings a wealth of industrial experience to his deanship. In this episode Paul and Don talk about the desirable impacts of the COVID pandemic, including aggregation of expertise among smaller universities, sharing resources, and a renewed emphasis on democratization of education and access to technology. 

Episode 9: Prof. Michael Faborode, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

In this episode, Prof. Michael Faborode, former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, discusses the challenges faced by West African universities and his vision for transferring innovation from university laboratories to the outside world through his Knowledge Park initiative.

Episode 10: Dr. Yacob Astatke, Morgan State University, USA

An international ambassador and a founding member of the African Deans Council, Dr. Yacob Astatke discusses his tireless efforts in brining hands-on experiences to students in Ethiopia and improving the delivery of engineering education across Africa.