Khalifa University draws a crowd to its latest distinguished speakers series lecture

Khalifa University hosted a lecture by renowned structural engineer William F. Baker on February 5^th, 2013 at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), the event was part of its ongoing Distinguished Speakers Series, and was open to the public.  

Mr. Baker, who is partner in charge of Structural Engineering at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP discussed design philosophy and why each engineer should have one. He used real life examples, including his work on Burj Khalifa, and he challenged modern architectural beliefs by encouraging engineers to retain control over the design process.  

Mr. Baker, who is best known for the development of the “buttressed core” structural system forBurj Khalifa, the world’s tallest manmade structure, is  widely regarded for his work on supertall buildings, his expertise also extends to long-span roof structures, such as the Korean Air Lines Operations Hangar and the Virginia Beach Convention Center, as well as specialty structures like Broadgate-Exchange House and the GM Renaissance Center-North Lobby.   

“We were pleased to host Mr. Baker as part of our Distinguished Speakers Series,” said Dr. Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University. “We have many young students, in various engineering specializations including Civil and Industrial and Systems Engineering, who have benefited from his advice on retaining control over their designs, and about building a personalized design philosophy. He was able to meet with students from many of our majors and design teams so that they could see first-hand how their academic training fits into the work of a practicing, world-renowned engineering designer. His message will remain with them as they enter the working world and become industry leaders in their own right. It’s an important lesson to learn, and one that we are happy to be able to give to them as future drivers of the UAE’s knowledge economy.” 

The students from Khalifa University who were in attendance are currently studying a variety of bachelor’s degrees in engineering in disciplines such as Computer (with optional concentration in Software Systems), Communication, Electrical and Electronic (with optional concentration in Power Systems), Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Industrial and Systems, and Biomedical Engineering. Additionally KU offers Master’s degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Information Security and International and Civil Security, and Doctorate degrees in Engineering with the option to specialize in Mechanical, Aerospace, Nuclear, Biomedical, Electrical and Computer, or Robotics Engineering.