Noteworthy: Bidanda, a University of Pittsburgh professor, received the 2012 Global Award for Excellence in Engineering Education from the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies. He was unanimously recommended for the award for developing unique study-abroad courses for engineering students, leading “train the trainer” workshops for Pitt faculty and emphasizing the teaching of practical skills that students will later employ in the workplace.
Age: 56
Residence: Fox Chapel
Family: Wife Louella, daughter Maya and son Rahul.
Occupation: Chairman of Pitt's Department of Industrial Engineering and the Ernest E. Roth Professor in the Swanson School of Engineering.
Background: In the last 10 to 15 years, Bidanda said he has put significant time into “internationalizing” engineering education. Under his leadership, Pitt's industrial engineering program was the first in the country to mandate all undergraduates study abroad before they graduate.
Education: Bachelor's degree from the National Institute of Technology in India, 1976; master's degree from Western Carolina, 1983; Ph.D. from Penn State, 1987.
Quote: “If we want American engineers to be leaders of groups, they have to be able to operate seamlessly across the world.”
