Talking STEM Education

College of Science and Engineering Dean Amit Shukla, PhD, recently returned from Washington, D.C., where he participated in a public policy colloquium organized by the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE). The purpose of the ASEE event, attended by more than 150 deans of engineering, was to strengthen the discussion of engineering education and research issues between the deans of engineering and public policy makers. 

“This year the agenda focused on major investments in critical technology areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotech,” says Shukla. “Institutions like Seattle University must grow our talent base in these areas, broaden our capacity and advance use-inspired research around the nation.”

The dean and his counterparts from the University of Washington and Washington State University met with elected leaders and the staff of Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray as well as Representatives Rick Larsen, Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, Dan Newhouse and Suzan DelBene. The meetings focused mostly on how to increase the number of STEM graduates nationally. 

Shukla also expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their continued support of funding for the National Science Foundation and legislation including the CHIPS and Science Act, as well as TIPP Directorate. He emphasized SU’s Ethics and AI Initiative and how SU continues to collaborate to support STEM education in the state.