Dr. Promod Vohra, CSIT, PE, is currently the Dean of the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He is an engineer and a professional educator. His unique background includes a B.S. and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering, and a doctorate in Instructional Technology with an emphasis in Instruction Design and Development. His educational qualifications provide him with a unique understanding of learning theories and educational models that can be effectively applied to improve engineering education. His other areas of specialty are Digital Design, New Technologies, Computer Architecture, etc. Dr. Vohra has also had the opportunity to work in industry for five years (1981-85) in the field of electronic test and measurement. He brings his industrial experience to the classroom making engineering education more functional and close to real life. Well published Dr. Vohra has taught in many areas of Electrical Engineering Technology. Dr. Vohra is committed to undergraduate education and is a strong advocate of experiential and technology-based learning. He is one of the leaders in implementing distance learning education at NIU.
Dr. Vohra also has been awarded numerous honors including Outstanding Young Alumnus Award (1992), University=s prestigious Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (1995), and National Association of Industrial Technologist=s (NAIT) Outstanding Young Professor in the Region Award (1996). Well published, Dr. Vohra is committed to working with high school students increasing their awareness of careers in engineering and technology and enabling them to avail of opportunities in higher education. He has worked with many work-based learning projects and encourages productive partnerships between high schools, community colleges, universities, industries, and community based organizations to improve and re-engineer the technical education. He has served as a technical consultant to community colleges and community based organizations to facilitate innovation in engineering education and manufacturing modernization for the industrial sector.
As Dean he has brought in more than 50 million in resources for faculty and students to engage in meaningful research. As part of a major project, Dr. Vohra is developing collaborative models to jump start economic development in select regions. He is pro industry partnership and is committed to making the educational system functional and practical.
He is widely published and is known nationally and internationally for his models on engineering education, empowerment through collaboration, and competitiveness through innovation. He serves on several committees, boards and taskforces in his mission to accomplish process innovation to keep US competitiveness in a global environment. He is committed to the idea of success for all and provides special emphasis to minorities in engineering. He believes that engineering is the backbone of society and it is the engineers who will innovate through meaningful partnerships with other professions.
His belief in education being the tool to shape the future remains a priority for his life. He is committed to promote STEM in the country and to use it to accomplish innovation and new paradigms. He serves on several regional and international boards and is committed to using engineering as the stimulant of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.