As technologies like AI, advanced wireless, and autonomous systems move into large-scale deployment, engineering education faces mounting pressure to keep pace with the complexity and speed of modern innovation. Tomorrow’s engineers will be expected to solve complex, multidisciplinary problems using tools, workflows, and systems architectures that are still emerging today. In fields like aerospace and automotive, where even minor flaws can carry major consequences, the new baseline is no longer “good enough.” And that standard continues as the next generation of test engineers enters the workforce.

As the demand for skilled engineers increases, academic institutions face growing pressure to graduate students ready to contribute on day one. Success depends on engineers who can think critically, act precisely, and solve problems in real time. To meet this demand, curricula must evolve and shift from theory alone to real-world experimentation that reflects the pace and precision of current engineering needs.

Bridging this gap begins with connecting classroom learning with the tools and workflows used in today’s most advanced engineering careers. That means creating opportunities for hands-on experience with industry-grade platforms, real-time systems, and collaborative problem-solving. It’s the kind of experience that makes engineering tangible, where tuning a control system becomes a real demonstration of system-level thinking in action. 

At Duke University, students in a civil engineering lab use NI LabVIEW to tune PID controllers on a record player. When the system is configured correctly, the music plays, offering a hands-on moment that turns theory into application. “LabVIEW makes it so much easier—and more fun,” says Eric Stack, former lab manager at Duke. “Students don’t have to worry about low-level details, so they can focus on problem-solving and experimentation.” The lab becomes an engaging place where students discuss their work long after class. It isn’t just education. It’s storytelling through systems design.

The future of engineering will be led by those who can prototype boldly, test quickly, and iterate with confidence, which is why we have renewed commitments to academia with solutions that help educators teach not just how to build systems, but how to think like engineers.

The vision is to partner with universities to deliver modern, modular, and mission-driven learning that includes the following experiences:

• Blending virtual-first and hybrid labs with portable instrumentation
• Introducing AI-augmented measurement and real-time control through LabVIEW and the LabVIEW FPGA module
• Driving industry-academia fusion, so students learn on the same tools used at places like CERN and SpaceX

At UT Austin’s Texas Rocket Engineering Lab (TREL), for example, students rely on LabVIEW’s intuitive design and rapid prototyping capabilities to develop critical skills that prepare them for high-paced, mission-driven environments.  

That same demand for speed and precision is shaping the industry at large. Edge computing is redefining how engineers process and act on data in real time. By integrating edge-computing workflows into academic environments, universities give students a head start in mastering the architectures and decision-making processes shaping next-generation systems.

To bring this vision to life, our evolving suite of tools translates abstract theory into actionable learning. Educators need flexible, scalable platforms that reflect how engineers work today. Whether they’re teaching introductory circuits or advancing wireless research, NI platforms provide the building blocks for application-focused learning.

To scale experiential learning across large programs, universities need flexible, comprehensive software access. We provide institution-wide access to LabVIEW and 30+ add-ons, including the LabVIEW FPGA and LabVIEW Real-Time Modules. This software enables scalable, multidisciplinary lab environments.

The NI LabVIEW AVL includes the following products:

• Self-paced training access through learn.ni.com
• Student Install Option (SIO) for access anywhere
• Education Services Credits for certifications like CLAD

The program has become so popular that at Penn State, more than 2,000 students have earned their Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD) credentials before graduation. It’s proof that NI-equipped labs double as career-launching platforms.

As lab infrastructure evolves, educators need instrumentation that’s both portable and powerful. These hardware platforms turn any space into a hands-on engineering environment and are designed for portability, performance, and active exploration across disciplines.

• Circuits and electronics—NI Analog Discovery 3 and NI Studio Max are USB-powered tools that turn any laptop into a lab
• Measurement labs—NI USB data acquisition devices and NI CompactDAQ modules are used for sensor integration, waveform capture, and signal processing
• Wireless labs—USRP Software-Defined Radio Devices are used for spectrum analysis and modulation exploration, from 5G to future 6G
• Controls and mechatronics—NI CompactRIO and NI Single-Board RIO modules are used for real-time, FPGA-powered system design

The portfolio spans a wide range of engineering programs, including electrical, mechanical, biomedical, aerospace, and physics, while offering modular course content and flexible integration options.

With academic discount pricing, student software bundles, and single-seat licensing, we help institutions of all sizes equip students with the tools they’ll use in professional environments.

The future of engineering hinges on how well we prepare students today. As institutions work to align curricula with rapidly evolving technologies like AI, automation, and wireless systems, labs must evolve from passive learning environments into dynamic, systems-level experiences.

We understand that transformation doesn’t happen alone—we work side-by-side with educators to reimagine how students interact with technology from concept to system-level application. By unifying hardware, software, and training in one adaptable platform, we help create the conditions where meaningful experimentation and engineering insight can thrive.

Whether you’re building a lab from the ground up or modernizing an existing program, we help create environments where hands-on experimentation, industry alignment, and career readiness converge. Let’s equip the next generation of engineers with the skills to lead.