During an SMU World Changers alumni networking event on Saturday, Dean Nader Jalili addressed an SMU Lyle alumni crowd about architecting a future defined by technology.
“We stand at the threshold of an extraordinary new era for the Lyle School of Engineering, ignited by a landmark $20 million gift from Texas Instruments CEO Rich Templeton and his wife Mary and a newly announced $15 million gift from The O’Donnell Foundation,” he said. “Over $40 million dollars has been invested in Lyle to support strategic initiatives such as recruiting post-doctoral students, expanding Lyle’s women and underserved student population, and advancing digital innovation in engineering and computer science. With unwavering energy and enthusiasm, we are poised to embark on a transformative journey, one that will shape the future of tech, reveal trends, and provide insights for the world of tomorrow.”
The dean spoke about Lyle’s vision, which is centered around investment in three innovation pillars: Research Innovation and Partnerships, a Student-Centered Innovation Hub, and Digital Education.
- Research Innovation and Partnerships – highlighted by the Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing (CDHAM), which will provide students with hands-on exposure to augmented reality for design feasibility and leverage AI for elevated product design. These partnerships will position Lyle as a leader in AI and enable groundbreaking advances in human augmentation.
- A Student-Centered Innovation Hub thru Empowering Student Leadership, which serves as a dynamic platform where practical opportunities help students shape and realize their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Students can leverage the Lyle MILE (Mentorship Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship) Hub to further innovation. This will empower students to become confident leaders who seamlessly engage with customers and take charge of teams from the very start of their careers.
- Digital Education: At Lyle, we pioneer digital transformation in engineering education. Our LyleAnywhereTM platform will provide greater accessibility, helping us go beyond the classroom to broaden the reach of SMU Lyle education and help students experience more diverse internships and gain experience through more unconventional means, redefining the learning environment to our students benefit.
Dean Jalili encouraged alums to remember that they are among the driving force shaping the future of technology.
“Our mission is to uncover trends and provide insights to propel us into tomorrow,” he said. “I invite each one of you to join us on this extraordinary journey as SMU Lyle is making strategic investments in 1) fostering research partnerships, 2) creating a student-centered innovation hub where ideas flow freely, and finally, 3) advancing digital education.”
