Vijay Kumar
Welcome, Penn Engineers!
Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning for another exciting year of discovery and growth, it’s wonderful to see our campus buzzing with energy again. There is nothing quite like the excitement of a new academic year, and I’m reminded how much our strength comes from being part of a vibrant, supportive network of innovators and collaborators.
I want to extend a special welcome to our international students and scholars: You have overcome extra hurdles to be here, and we are truly grateful for the talents, perspectives and resilience you bring to our community.
Our newest spaces are already alive with ideas and activity: Amy Gutmann Hall is hosting classes, labs and community events; the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology is sparking new collaborations in sustainable energy and climate science; and One uCity is driving health-focused innovation and industry partnerships. The work being done in these facilities, coupled with our focus on AI and educational innovation, positions Penn Engineering as a leader in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. Within these spaces and across our entire complex, our faculty and students are actively shaping the decades ahead.
Yes, our world is complex, and the challenges we face are not in short supply. But Penn Engineers, guided by our shared values of scholarship, open community and responsible innovation, leverage our creativity to deliver solutions with lasting impact for our local, national and global communities.
The start of a new academic year fills us with possibility, curiosity and the shared purpose of our Penn Engineering community. I hope to see you at events on campus, and please, stop me on Locust Walk to share your “a-ha!” moments and tag Penn Engineering to share your work with us on social media. I am deeply proud to be part of this extraordinary group of innovators and excited for all that we will accomplish together in the months ahead.
Vijay Kumar
Professor and Nemirovsky Family Dean
Penn Engineering