$63M Tech Hub Opens at Cal State Northridge for Future Engineers

The Autodesk Technology Engagement Center (ATEC) at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has officially opened, aiming to prepare students for careers in technology and engineering. The $62.7 million facility offers hands-on training in STEM and AI skills and is accessible to all students on campus, as well as K-12 students.

The ATEC houses six labs where students can explore augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and earthquake resiliency. According to LAist, the center will also host equity-focused STEM programming and the Global Hispanic Serving Institution Innovation Hub, designed to open more pathways to tech careers.

The center's opening marks a significant step in addressing the skills gap identified in Autodesk's Career Readiness Report, which found that nearly half of U.S. college students feel unprepared for tech jobs. Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost, a CSUN alumnus, expressed pride in supporting the center's mission to enhance engineering education and engage the community.

CSUN President Erika Beck emphasized the importance of reaching younger students through K-12 outreach programs. "If we wait until the students get to Cal State Northridge, in many regards, it's too late for them to be thinking about these really in-demand careers," she said. The hub's opening aligns with California's efforts to integrate AI into more campuses, supported by partnerships with companies like Adobe, Google, and Microsoft.