Western New England University College of Engineering Professor, Dr. Vedang Chauhan, has been named an Engineering Unleashed Fellow. This designation recognizes leadership in undergraduate engineering education by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), a 50-partner collaborative whose mission is to instill an entrepreneurial mindset within undergraduate engineering students.
Dr. Chauhan is part of a select group of 21 individuals from colleges and universities across the country who have been named Unleashed Fellows for 2022. Engineering Unleashed is a community of 4,000 faculty members from over 350 institutions. These distinguished individuals are ambassadors of the entrepreneurial mindset dedicated to excellence within their profession, to their institutions, and to the success of their students.
"KEEN supports teaching undergraduate students with an entrepreneurial mindset (EM) so they can create personal, economic and societal value through their work," said Dr. Chauhan. "I believe in KEEN's mission and incorporate EM through my teaching. I design project activities for my students that help them develop an entrepreneurial mindset."
Dr. Chauhan is a highly accomplished Mechanical Engineering Professor with a wealth of experience in the field. He received his PhD from Queen's University in Mechanical Engineering and has published numerous papers in prestigious journals, demonstrating his expertise in the field. He has also received several awards and grants for his research, which focuses on areas such as mechanics, materials, and manufacturing. Dr. Chauhan is a dedicated educator and mentor, known for his ability to make complex concepts accessible to students of all levels.
The nomination and fellowship naming process began with Dr. Chauhan's initiative to participate in the Engineering Unleashed Faculty Development National Workshop Program.
These workshops are designed and delivered by a collaborative group of subject matter experts who serve as faculty members within the national network of partner institutions. The workshops attract faculty participants from across the country focusing on the development and application of an entrepreneurial mindset whether it be in teaching, learning, research, industry, or academic leadership. Dr. Chauhan participated in the Integrating Curriculum with Entrepreneurial Mindset (ICE) 1.0 workshop which connects problem-based active and collaborative learning to the development of entrepreneurial mindset.
"Students enjoy working on the projects and provide positive feedback on how EM activities foster curiosity, connections and add value to their work," added Dr. Chauhan. "I am thankful to KEEN ICE 1.0 workshop coaches, my fellow faculty members and my university for all their support. I am happy to be a part of a Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network of like-minded educators."
Working with the facilitators and then the coaches for up to a year, Dr. Chauhan completed the work and contributed to the Engineering Unleashed community through an online publication sharing platform known as Engineering Unleashed.com. The workshops coaches nominated a number of candidates and an independent review committee from the KEEN partner institutions made the final selections.
Through their home institutions, each fellow is awarded a $10,000 grant to amplify their work through the Kern Family Foundation.
The Mechanical Engineering major at Western New England University is a multifaceted and versatile subject area that affords students the opportunity to explore and learn about materials, solid and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, mechatronics, heat transfer, kinematics and control, vibrations, and product development and innovation. The combination of the didactic and applied aspects of the curriculum provides students with the intellectual and vocational tools integral to the design and manufacturing of mechanical systems. This puts them at the forefront of developing technologies for a diverse array of industries including aerospace, transportation, energy, healthcare, construction, and robotics. The faculty of the department is composed of experienced and dedicated professionals who are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and the skills they need to succeed in the field of mechanical engineering.
For more information about Mechanical Engineering at Western New England University call 413-782-1321 / 800-325-1122, ext. 1321 and visit the website at https://www1.wne.edu/engineering/departments/mechanical-engineering/index.
