To avoid system errors, if Chrome is your preferred browser, please update to the latest version of Chrome (81 or higher) or use an alternative browser.
Click here to login if you're an NAE Member
Recover Your Account Information
Thu, May 04, 2023
On May 2, NAE President John Anderson presented “the NAE’s—indeed, the world’s—most prestigious award in engineering education, the Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education,” to Azad Madni. The award was presented at a celebratory dinner held at the University of Southern California (USC).
Madni, who is Northrop Grumman Foundation Fred O’Green Chair in Engineering and University Professor of Astronautical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, was recognized “for creating and disseminating a transdisciplinary systems engineering education paradigm based on entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, convergence, social awareness, and diverse thinking and backgrounds.”
“Professor Madni helped define the field of transdisciplinary systems engineering and is the creator of transdisciplinary systems engineering education (called TRASEE™),” said Anderson. “Through TRASEE™, Professor Madni transformed USC’s Systems Architecting and Engineering Program curriculum by incorporating content from complementary disciplines. This helped redefine the teaching approach by combining storytelling with pedagogical principles from the learning sciences.”
The Gordon Prize includes a $500,000 cash award, half granted to the recipient and the other half to the institution to support the continued development, refinement, and dissemination of the recognized innovation. The recipient also receives a commemorative medallion and hand-scribed certificate.
In addition, the recipient is invited to present a public lecture on their prize-winning work during the NAE’s Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Madni, however, presented his lecture at USC, in front of his family, friends, and colleagues.
Event highlights, including a video detailing Madni’s TRASEE program can be found on the USC website.