Fairfield University Receives $95,000 in Grants to Advance AI and Manufacturing Education
Fairfield University's School of Engineering and Computing has been awarded two grants totaling $95,000 to enhance its programs in artificial intelligence (AI) and manufacturing education. The awards include a $75,000 Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator (TTA) 3.0 Innovation Grant, supported by the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, and a $20,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation. These funds will support the university's AI-Assisted Manufacturing Readiness initiative, which integrates responsible AI, advanced manufacturing, industry engagement, and workforce preparation. Dr. Naser Haghbin, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is the principal investigator for the TTA grant, with Dr. Sidike Paheding and Dr. Zahra Shahbazi serving as co-principal investigators. The initiative aims to develop a school-wide digital thread pathway connecting CAD design, manufacturing, inspection, quality, and AI-assisted decision-making, preparing students for the evolving demands of the engineering and manuf...