Design innovation at Berkeley Engineering
In June 2013, Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm’s executive chairman and three-time Berkeley Engineering alumnus, made a landmark commitment to the university. The $20-million gift launched a new institute to transform the undergraduate educational experience at the College of Engineering. The Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation is creating opportunities for students from across campus to learn design through hands-on projects and team-based learning.
A new building, under construction on the north side of campus neighboring Soda Hall, will serve as the institute’s main hub. Due to open in fall 2015, Jacobs Hall will feature four floors of studios, flexible learning space and digital fabrication equipment for rapid prototyping.
“Today, it is not enough to provide our future engineering leaders with technical skills,” said Jacobs as he announced the gift from the Paul and Stacy Jacobs Foundation at the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago. “They must also learn how to work in interdisciplinary teams, how to iterate designs rapidly, how to manufacture sustainably, how to combine art and engineering and how to address global markets.”
To learn more, visit the Jacobs Institute website.