Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative highlighted nationally

ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology, highlighted the Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative in a new issue brief it released Oct. 17.

The brief, “Engineering Change: Lessons from Leaders on Modernizing Higher Education Engineering Curriculum,” explores innovations in the design and delivery of engineering programs that better equip graduates for success in a rapidly evolving global economy, according to an ABET news release. It offers case studies from six undergraduate engineering programs that are “blurring the lines between class and career, and increasing access to dynamic, hands-on learning opportunities and projects for students,” the release said.

The brief highlight’s the Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative’s new Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie), which features new and expanded entrepreneurship courses as well as a variety of co-curricular activities and resources with the goal of supporting Rice students in entrepreneurial endeavors. Houston entrepreneur and Rice alumnus Frank Liu ‘78 and his family, through their philanthropic foundation, made a $16.5 million gift in March 2016 to launch Lilie, which, starting Oct. 22, is housed in Rice’s new Cambridge Office Building.

The brief quotes Yael Hochberg, head of the Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative and the Ralph S. O’Connor Professor of Entrepreneurship at Rice’s Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice President David Leebron and Liu. “A dynamic undergraduate experience is increasingly critical to lead in entrepreneurship in higher education,” Hochberg said. “Lilie put this experience at the forefront for undergraduates, maximizing connection with the Rice alumni network and the startup community in Houston.”

Leebron spoke to the university’s focus on this growing field. “With this remarkable commitment to entrepreneurial experience and opportunity, Rice University is making a strong statement about being a top choice for students who want to learn how to bring innovative ideas to life,” he said.

For more information and to read “Engineering Change,” go to www.abet.org.