National Engineering Forum brings dialogue series to Columbus
The National Engineering Forum (NEF) is in Columbus this week to celebrate the city’s engineering leadership and foster actionable discussions on sustaining America’s engineering enterprise. Partnering with NEF, The Ohio State University and the Dean of the College of Engineering David B. Williams, along with the Battelle Memorial Institute and its CEO Jeff Wadsworth, are bringing together executive-level representatives from industry, academia, government and other sectors to participate in an outcome-oriented NEF dialogue on the challenges facing American engineering. 
“Anchored by The Ohio State University, central Ohio boasts one of the greatest collections of engineering talent and innovation in the world,” Williams said. “Each new class of graduating engineers is complemented by global industry leaders Battelle, Honda, Edison Welding Institute, Ashland Chemical, and so many more. The Midwest spearheads manufacturing innovation around the world, so it is fitting that Columbus will host this National Engineering Forum event.”
Lockheed Martin, the Council on Competitiveness, and the National Academy of Engineering launched NEF, which now has a growing roster of partners.
The Columbus dialogue on Thursday, Oct. 31 is one of NEF’s regional dialogues in cities across America that have a prominent role in shaping the nation’s engineering heritage and its future. Columbus is a key player in American progress and was chosen for its active role in high-tech research and development, from Ohio State’s emphasis on collaborating with industry on engineering research to the headquarters of the Battelle Memorial Institute, which is the world’s largest nonprofit research and development company.
“Engineering is intertwined with nearly everything we touch and see each day,” said Jeffrey Wadsworth, President and CEO of Battelle. “I’m seeing engineering advance at an astonishing pace not only at Battelle, but at other Central Ohio institutions and companies. Columbus truly is a powerhouse of engineering talent.”
“Engineers are the drivers of innovation. And today, in the 21st century, creativity, the application of knowledge and innovation are at the center of our nation’s long-term wealth creation and prosperity,” said Deborah Wince-Smith, President and CEO of the Council on Competitiveness. “The National Engineering Forum, along with our partners across the country, is working to create a new generation of American engineering talent.”
About the National Engineering Forum
The National Engineering Forum (NEF) brings together leaders concerned about the sustainability of the United States engineering field and the impact on the nation’s security and prosperity. NEF involves industry executives, academics, policymakers, media, engineering societies, and nonprofits to develop solutions to the challenges facing the U.S. engineering enterprise. For more on NEF, visit: www.nationalengineeringforum.com or follow us on Twitter @NatlEngForum.