Dean Honored by Engineers’ Council as Educator of the Year

Vijay K. Dhir, dean of the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science and distinguished professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, was honored in February by the Engineers’ Council with the organization’s 2013 John J. Guarrera Engineering Educator of the Year Award.

The honor, first awarded in 1982, recognized Dhir for “exemplary leadership and contributions as an educator, scholar, researcher, administrator and mentor.”

The award noted Dhir’s leadership in developing outreach programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including UCLA Engineering’s online tutoring program for middle and high school students (Engineering Science Corps), the school’s High School Summer Research Program, and the High School Tech Camp.

Dhir was also recognized for improving engineering curricula as a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

The Engineers’ Council was founded in 1955 as the San Fernando Valley Engineers’ Council (SFVEC) mutual benefit society through the joint efforts of the California Society of Professional Engineers, the American Institute of Plant Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.  The Engineers’ Council activities have evolved from a joint meeting of societies into today’s “Honors & Awards Banquet”.