Summit on the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges

March 2-3, 2009
Durham, NC

The Summit was a two-day event on March 2-3, 2009 in Durham, NC, drawing leading engineering, science, humanities and social science scholars from across the nation to articulate the challenges and opportunities of the science, technology, and policy related to each National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge and proposed solutions.

The Grand Challenges are a call to action and serve as a focal point for society's attention to the most important opportunities that challenge our quality of life.

In response to this call, Duke University in partnership with the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering and Olin College hosted the Summit to stimulate conversations on the importance of engineering and science in maintaining and enhancing our quality of life.

Goals of the Summit:

1. Enhance student interest in engineering and science.
2. Increase the visibility and importance of engineering and science to society.
3. Underscore the importance of recognizing that engineering education must be coupled to policy/business/law and must be student-focused.
4. Enhance student interest in engineering, science, and technology entrpereneurship.
5. Foment future collaborations of interested scientists, engineers, policy makers and researchers in business, law, social sciences and humanities needed to successfully address these complex societal issues.