The Charger Blog
Selected for a prestigious national fellowship, Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D., is leading efforts to transform computer science education through industry partnerships, stackable credentials, and workforce-driven learning.
April 18, 2025
Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D. spent 15 years working in industry before stepping into a classroom as a professor of computer science, creating a wealth of experiences that shaped the way he sees both education and innovation today.
ӰԭI never thought my Ph.D. would be used for academia,Ӱԭ Dr. Mekni reflected. ӰԭI thought it would give me the depth and knowledge I needed for a career in the private sector.Ӱԭ
ItӰԭs because of his views on connecting academia and industry that led Dr. Mekni to receive an Innovation Fellowship from the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF). As one of just 28 faculty nationwide Ӱԭ and the first from the University of New Haven to be selected Ӱԭ Dr. Mekni is working alongside industry leaders and higher ed changemakers to build a future where students combine classroom learning with practical experiences, building the career-ready skills they need to excel.
When Dr. Mekni applied for the BHEF Innovation Fellowship, he did so with the encouragement and sponsorship of Tagliatela College of Engineering Dean Ron Harichandran, Ph.D. Ӱԭ a gesture that highlights the UniversityӰԭs commitment to bridging academic learning and industry needs, also a central focus of President Frederiksen.
ӰԭReceiving the fellowship is a nice recognition of my efforts on workforce development and the integration of industry-recognized credentials, curricular pathways, and traditional diplomas,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭItӰԭs about offering students the best of both worlds.Ӱԭ
Dr. MekniӰԭs commitment to blending industry and academia partially grew out of a project he launched in 2023, funded by the Connecticut Tech Talent Accelerator (CT TTA). That initiative led to a partnership with Unity Technologies, one of the worldӰԭs largest game-engine service providers, enabling University of New Haven students to earn industry-recognized certifications alongside their bachelorӰԭs degrees.
ӰԭA student who graduates with a computer science degree in game development but has no experience Ӱԭ itӰԭs usually a very risky asset for employers,Ӱԭ he explained. ӰԭEmployers tend to go after candidates with some experience, a small portfolio, and credentials. I didnӰԭt want my students to pay that price.Ӱԭ
Thanks to the partnership, more than 20 students graduated not only with their degrees, but also with certifications from Unity Ӱԭ a combination that gave them a competitive edge in a fast-moving job market.
ӰԭI believe students shouldnӰԭt have to select one or the other,Ӱԭ Dr. Mekni said. ӰԭIndustry and academia need to start working closely together to develop the skills the workforce needs to sustain economic development, locally and nationally.Ӱԭ
As part of the BHEF Innovation Fellowship, Dr. Mekni is expanding his vision beyond game design. His current project focuses on embedding stackable microcredentials into the UniversityӰԭs programs, particularly in fields such as gaming, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity Ӱԭ areas he calls the ӰԭpillarsӰԭ of computer science and software engineering.
ӰԭItӰԭs about creating programs that are flexible and relevant. I want our traditional students to graduate with a degree and a portfolio of credentials that set them apart, but I also want to reach adult learners Ӱԭ people who donӰԭt have the time or resources for a full degree but still want to reskill or upskill.Ӱԭ Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D.
The fellowship includes workshops and training sessions with business leaders, fellow faculty innovators, and higher ed experts. From San Diego to Washington D.C., Dr. Mekni has been learning strategies for leading transformational change Ӱԭ skills he says his technical background never taught him.
ӰԭTheyӰԭre preparing you for the leadership and innovation side of a project: communication, alliances, momentum, and solving challenges,Ӱԭ he said.
For Dr. Mekni, the lessons heӰԭs bringing back from the fellowship all lead to one simple message: learning doesnӰԭt end when the semester does. ӰԭIn technology, you sleep and wake up the next day and there are new things to learn. ItӰԭs a dynamic, global ecosystem.Ӱԭ
Continuous learning and practical experience, he believes, is what will ultimately prepare students for careers beyond the classroom Ӱԭ whether theyӰԭre heading into game design, AI, cybersecurity, or industries that havenӰԭt even been invented yet.
ӰԭMy goal is for students to hit the ground running,Ӱԭ Dr. Mekni said. ӰԭAnd I want them to do it with confidence.Ӱԭ
University News
This special edition spotlights the UniversityӰԭs ongoing commitment to expanding our international community; cultivating the elite global workforce of tomorrow; and illuminating the path forward to a better, brighter future for all.
The Charger Blog
University of New Haven lecturer Shawn Persinger discusses his new book, ӰԭCreative Rhythms for Melodic Instruments or Think Like a Drummer,Ӱԭ which blends his lifelong passion for music with an innovative approach to teaching, composing, and creativity.
University News
With the support of a National Science Foundation award, Hao Sun, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry at the University of New Haven, is helping to rethink how plastics are made, used, and recycled, while also mentoring the next generation of scientists.