Wilkes University has successfully secured over $1.2 million in grant funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance innovation and workforce development in its region. The funding will support two significant projects aimed at addressing critical technological needs and expanding educational opportunities.
Greg Cant, the university president, expressed pride in this achievement, stating, “This is a tremendous achievement for our faculty as well as the greater community.” The two initiatives, titled “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)”, are designed to deliver technology education and foster collaboration between academia and industry.
Key Initiatives Addressing Technology Needs
The EXPLOR-NEPA project is a three-year initiative funded through the NSF’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program. It aims to provide students with hands-on experience in artificial intelligence and robotics. The project was developed by Abas Sabouni, professor of mechanical engineering and chair of the mechanical and electrical engineering department, along with colleagues Edward Bednarz III, Asif Khan, and Yong Zhu.
Sabouni highlighted the collaborative effort behind the proposal, describing it as an “intensive but rewarding experience.” He emphasized that the initiative not only focuses on crafting comprehensive proposals but also opens avenues for future collaboration, teamwork, and lasting impact. “The long-term impact will be a sustainable model for connecting education, innovation, and industry in the northeastern Pennsylvania region and beyond,” he noted.
The BRIDGE-TECH project complements EXPLOR-NEPA by partnering with local high schools and the company Production Systems Automation to provide students early exposure to AI-driven robotics and automation. This initiative will offer structured hands-on learning, mentorship, and opportunities for dual enrollment, allowing high school students to earn college credits.
Addressing Urgent Educational Needs
Through ongoing collaboration with local school districts and industry partners, faculty members identified a pressing need to introduce concepts of artificial intelligence and robotics at earlier stages in education. Sabouni remarked, “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.”
The BRIDGE-TECH initiative aims to expand its reach to additional school districts while integrating new technologies such as autonomous drones and smart manufacturing systems. Sabouni expressed a commitment to refining their experiential learning framework to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world, stating, “We hope to continue refining our experiential learning framework to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.”
With these initiatives, Wilkes University is not only enhancing educational opportunities but also taking significant steps toward bridging the gap between technology and workforce readiness in northeastern Pennsylvania. The funding from the NSF represents a pivotal investment in the future of the region’s technological landscape, promising to equip the next generation with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
