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Congratulations to Morgan State University’s Yacob Astatke, D.Eng., for being selected as the 2016 GEDC Airbus Diversity Award recipient by aeronautics firm Airbus Group and the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC). Dr. Astatke, the interim associate dean for Undergraduate Studies in the Clarence Mitchell Jr. School of Engineering, was chosen from among 40 candidates from 17 countries for his work in engineering education and, specifically, his efforts to improve the delivery of engineering education in Africa. An international jury of his peers made the selection and presented the award during a ceremony held during November’s World Engineering Education Forum and GEDC conference in Seoul, South Korea.
The award, which is designed to promote a more diverse engineering workforce around the world, recognizes grassroots initiatives that enable students from all backgrounds and profiles to study and succeed in the field of engineering, and salutes the people behind these initiatives. The awardees also receive a financial prize to further support and develop their work.
Dr. Astatke has conducted graduate courses at Morgan for the past 13 years, sharing best practices and delivering effective training. His work outside of the U.S. has led to the implementation of Mobile Studio Technology and Pedagogy in five universities in Ethiopia and has been instrumental in facilitating the donation of equipment and other resources.
“We hope that engineering leaders from around the world will be inspired to follow this example and replicate these initiatives in order to build a more diverse global community of engineers,” said Charles Champion, Airbus’ executive vice president, engineering.
Thank you to Dr. Astatke for embodying Morgan’s mission and serving as another example of how this university is growing the future and leading the world!
