Joanna Pritchard
Head of Academic Engagement, Siemens EDA
Talk Title
Future-ready engineers: aligning industry and academia
Description of Talk
Siemens is delivering future-ready engineers by tightly aligning industry and academia through industry-aligned microcredentials that reflect real-world engineering workflows and tools. Developed in partnership with universities, these industry-recognized credentials embed technology, standards, and problem-solving practices, ensuring graduates and learners of all backgrounds gain immediately applicable, job-ready skills. The presentation will review how this approach shortens the skills-to-workforce gap while creating a scalable pipeline of talent prepared for rapidly evolving industries.
Biography
In her current role as the Head of Global Academic Strategy and Engagement for Siemens EDA, Joanna is dedicated to equipping educators with cutting-edge teaching and learning tools, preparing students with in-demand skills, and helping customers build a strong, ready workforce. Through collaboration with educators and employers, she ensures that students develop the critical skills needed for the future of work, bridging the gap between education and industry while strengthening the talent pipeline.
Previously, she held faculty positions and served as Director of MBA and Digital Learning at the University of Bradford and the University of South Wales in the UK. She continues to inspire and educate as a mentor and adjunct faculty at UNC Wilmington, where she teaches sales and marketing. Additionally, she is a member of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Department Industry Advisory Board (IAB) at Howard University, and the International Advisory Board for the University of Bradford.
Joanna is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and holds a BSc from the University of St. Andrews, a PhD from Royal Holloway University of London, and an MBA from Emory University.