A Statement from the Dean

Back in May, I told the Class of 2026 that “Penn Engineers look at the world not as it is, but as it could be.” There are many challenges faced by humanity, but I remain a dedicated optimist when it comes to the ability of engineers (especially our Penn Engineers!) to meet and overcome grand challenges, including those in human health, climate change and the responsible implementation of AI:

• At Penn Engineering, pioneering AI-driven RNA technologies, like those enabled by the NSF AIRFoundry, are accelerating the development of next-generation medicines to transform the future of healthcare.
• We are advancing the clean energy transition through advancements such as longer-lasting, more efficient catalysts to make green hydrogen production more practical and affordable, paving the way for a greener future.
• Our researchers are collaborating to establish new engineering frameworks that ensure AI-powered robots can operate safely and reliably alongside people, helping establish the scientific foundations for trustworthy embodied AI.

In Penn Engineering, our entrepreneurial ecosystem empowers students like President’s Sustainability Prize winner Nhlanhla Mavuso (ENG’26, C’26, GEng’26), founder of adaptive chip startup Fluid Silicon, and Professor Firooz Aflatouni, founder of optical computing startup Lightcom, to transform bold ideas into technologies that create economic opportunity and real-world impact.

Our educational programs are continually evolving in order to develop the engineers needed to lead and shape the future. Newly launched graduate programs like those in Energy and Sustainability, Software Systems and Cybersecurity, and Technology and Innovation prepare our students to lead organizations, launch discoveries and solve the complex challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.

Innovation thrives when bold ideas are matched with the resources to bring them to life. I am truly grateful for the steadfast commitment and continued support of our global community of alumni and friends, and I especially look forward to what our shared dedication will bring to our students, our community and the world.

Vijay Kumar
Professor and Nemirovsky Family Dean
Penn Engineering