Wilkes University has been awarded over $1.2 million in grant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), aimed at fostering innovation and bolstering workforce development in the region. This significant financial support is intended to enhance technology education and strengthen partnerships between academia and industry.
Greg Cant, the university president, expressed pride in this accomplishment, stating, “This is a tremendous achievement for our faculty as well as the greater community.” The funding is allocated for two primary projects: “Experiential Learning for Artificial Intelligence-Driven Robotics in Northeast Pennsylvania (EXPLOR-NEPA)” and “Building Relationships in Innovation and Development for Growth in Emerging Technologies (BRIDGE-TECH).”
Enhancing Education and Industry Collaboration
Both initiatives aim to address urgent technology needs within the community. They will engage local school districts and industry partners to provide hands-on technology experience, particularly focusing on artificial intelligence and robotics. This will help connect students with subject matter experts and encourage innovation throughout the area.
Abas Sabouni, professor of mechanical engineering and chair of the department, served as a principal investigator on both projects. He described the proposal process as an “intensive but rewarding experience,” emphasizing the collaborative efforts involved in crafting comprehensive proposals. The goal is to create sustainable models that link education, innovation, and industry.
“Through these projects, we aim to develop programs that will foster teamwork and have a lasting impact,” Sabouni added.
EXPLOR-NEPA is a three-year initiative funded by the NSF’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program. The project was developed by Sabouni along with colleagues Edward Bednarz III, Asif Khan, and Yong Zhu. Their ongoing collaboration with local educational institutions has highlighted a pressing need for greater access to technology education.
“We identified an urgent need to introduce artificial intelligence and robotics concepts earlier in the educational pipeline and to expand access for students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds,” Sabouni explained.
Future Opportunities for High School Students
The BRIDGE-TECH initiative, which will be led by Wilkes in partnership with Production Systems Automation and local high schools, aims to provide high school students with early exposure to AI-driven robotics and automation. Through structured hands-on learning, mentorship, and dual enrollment opportunities, students can earn college credit.
“Our goal is to expand the program to additional school districts and integrate new technologies such as autonomous drones and smart manufacturing systems,” Sabouni stated. “We will continue refining our experiential learning framework to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.”
The initiatives funded by the NSF grant not only represent a significant investment in education and technology in Northeast Pennsylvania but also reflect a commitment to preparing the workforce for the future. By fostering connections between education and industry, Wilkes University aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s technological landscape.
