ASNT Foundation Faculty Grants Fuel Innovation in NDT Education
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
(Columbus, OH) The ASNT Foundation is proud to announce the recent publishing of nondestructive testing (NDT) course curricula on its website, which was made possible through its Faculty Grant program. These course guides, featuring courses spearheaded by five distinguished professors, are set to broaden access to NDT education, integrate cutting-edge simulation technologies, and address the evolving needs of various industries and student populations.
The ASNT Foundation Faculty grant was awarded to the following professors to develop the innovative curriculum detailed below:
Dr. David Eisenmann, Associate Scientist and Teaching Professor at Iowa State University’s Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE), led the project titled "Development of a Course in Applied Nondestructive Testing/Evaluation." This new three-credit undergraduate course is designed for non-engineering technical students in Industrial Technology and Agricultural Systems Technology, bridging a critical gap by providing theoretical knowledge and practical NDT skills previously unavailable to this student population.
Dr. Ehsan Dehghan-Niri, Associate Professor at Arizona State University’s School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, developed the "Nondestructive Testing Course with an Extensive NDT Simulation Component." This hybrid course for graduate and undergraduate students covers fundamental NDT techniques. It integrates extensive NDT simulations using CIVA software to enhance understanding for in-person and distance learning students, including industry professionals.
Dr. Aleksandar Vakanski, Assistant Professor, and Dr. Lee Ostrom, Associate Dean and Academic Director, both from the University of Idaho – Idaho Falls’ College of Engineering, spearheaded the project "Enhancing Opportunities for Distance Education in Nondestructive Testing via a Web-Based Course." This grant transformed their existing live course, Introduction to Nondestructive Testing (INDT 404), into a fully web-based offering, significantly increasing accessibility for working professionals, non-traditional students, and geographically dispersed learners.
Dr. Saman Hedjazi, Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, created the course "Introduction to Nondestructive Testing and Forensic Evaluation." Developed for PhD students in Civil Engineering, this course provides an in-depth understanding of NDT and forensic evaluation of construction materials, incorporating laboratory experiments, field evaluations, and real-world case studies.
"We’re thrilled to see our annual faculty grants fueling innovation in NDT education! These grants empower educators to create bold, engaging, and forward-thinking curriculum, and the best part is that these curriculum guides are now available for other educators to use and adapt in their own NDT classrooms. It’s educator-driven impact, multiplying across the NDT field," said Heather Cowles, CAE, Executive Director of the ASNT Foundation.
The ASNT Foundation remains committed to fostering educational excellence and supporting advancements in NDT through strategic grants and initiatives, which are made possible by ongoing support from the NDT community.
To view the available curricula, visit foundation.asnt.org/resources
About The ASNT Foundation
Established in 2022, the ASNT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. As a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of our industry partners and individuals who understand the importance of nondestructive testing (NDT) and its role in creating a safer world to support current and future generations of NDT programs through scholarships, grants, research, and workforce development.
Media Contact:
Heather Cowles
ASNT Foundation Executive Director
