At their September meeting, the Biola Board of Trustees unanimously approved the establishment of the Haque College of Engineering and Technology, a significant step in advancing the university's growing investment in teaching, research and the development of technology. The Haque College will officially launch in Fall 2027.

Housed within the School of Science, Technology and Health, the new distinct academic college is named in honor of Dr. Promod and Dorcas Haque, whose longtime and generous support has helped further Biola’s vision to establish a premier program in math, physics, computer science and engineering within Christian higher education.

“I am deeply grateful for Promod and Dorcas Haque and the many years they have faithfully stood with Biola and believed in our mission,” said Biola University President Barry H. Corey. “For 19 years, Promod has served on our Board of Trustees, bringing wise leadership, remarkable expertise and a steadfast commitment to who we are as a deeply and unapologetically Christian university. Naming the Haque College of Engineering and Technology in their honor recognizes a legacy of transformational support, relentless service and faithful commitment built over many years. These and other attributes of the Haques have strengthened Biola and helped advance our vision for educating the next generation of Christian innovators who will lead with technical excellence, moral convictions, biblical conviction and a desire to serve others.”

image shows students controlling a drone
Haque College students will be given hands-on experience in operating, learning and designing technology

More than 20 programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the health sciences are housed within the School of Science, Technology and Health. The Haque College will encompass the programs currently housed in the school’s Division of Technology, including the B.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Engineering, B.S. in Engineering Physics, B.S. in Robotics Engineering, B.S. in Mathematics and the B.S. in Physics.

Within the next few years, the Haque College plans to add programs in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, AI engineering, aerospace engineering, AI agentic engineering and cybersecurity.

Haque College students will be equipped to turn their curiosity into applicable skills while exploring how faith can shape the way they learn, lead and innovate. Through hands-on projects, mentorship from dedicated faculty and meaningful relationships with industry leaders, students will be prepared to turn classroom knowledge into practical application and build the confidence to tackle real-world challenges. During their studies, students will discover how their skills can make a difference, serve others and prepare for fulfilling careers with purpose.

“The establishment of the Haque College of Engineering and Technology is a testimony to Biola’s growing strength of reputation and standard of excellence in these important academic disciplines,” said Dr. Matthew J. Hall, provost and senior vice president. “This is also a meaningful opportunity to honor Dr. and Mrs. Haque, whose extraordinary generosity and commitment have bolstered and expanded Biola's capacities in science and technology in ways that will serve students for generations to come.”

Promod Haque earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Delhi, India and holds an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Northwestern University. Over the years, he has served as an engineer and corporate executive and is the former managing partner of a large financial investment firm. Haque has been a member of the Biola Board of Trustees since 2007. Dorcas Haque grew up in Africa in a missionary family and is a trained nurse. In addition to their faithfulness to the local church, the Haques have been active in many Christian organizations, supporting and advising leaders in advancing their institutions’ missions for education, evangelism, pregnancy centers, Bible distribution and global outreach.

The Haques’ support of Biola extends back many years before the establishment of the new college. Their late daughter, Irene Kay Haque Michels, graduated from Biola with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and later earned a master's degree in computer science from Northwestern University. At the age of 28, Michels passed away from cancer, and the Haques established an endowed scholarship in her memory. During their many years of involvement, the Haques have also established two other scholarships to support computer science students at Biola, helping expand access to a Biola education for students with financial need and encouraging greater representation of women and students from diverse backgrounds in the field.

The couple also endowed a faculty position, filled in November 2023 by Dr. Yohan Lee, who serves as the inaugural holder of the Promod and Dorcas Haque Endowed Chair in Computer Science, Technology and Math. Lee will lead the Haque College of Engineering and Technology as associate dean come the fall.

“At the Haque College of Engineering and Technology, we view tech as a powerful expression of human creativity — a tool built to heal, connect and serve,” said Lee. “Our programs go beyond technical training: we challenge students to ask not only, ‘Can we build this?’ but ‘Should we build this?’ and ‘How can our work honor God and serve humanity?’”

image shows interior of the Garage
A rendering of the interior of the Engineering Garage

There has been recent notable movement in the technology and engineering space at Biola, with the groundbreaking of the Robotics Hangar and Engineering Garage structures. Anticipated to open in Spring 2027, the new state-of-the-art and interactive spaces will add more than 6,400 square feet of professional-grade space for the Haque College. These expanded facilities will provide students with greater opportunities for hands-on learning, innovation and collaboration needed to develop their technical skills and prepare for future careers. 

image shows interior of the robotics hangar
A rendering of the interior of the Robotics Hangar

Already, technology students are putting their creativity to work in designing, programming and controlling award-winning robotics projects and building practical and problem-solving drone technology. With many students involved in the Biola Robotics team, the Humanoid Robotics team, Society of Women Engineers club and Society of Automotive Engineers and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, students are gaining firsthand experience with industry-grade materials and top-of-the-line faculty guidance. More stories of how Biola technology students’ projects, groundbreaking research and alumni stories are found on Biola.io, the official digital showcase featuring the work produced by those in the Haque College of Engineering and Technology.

Announced last year as the largest gift in Biola University’s history at more than $40 million, the anonymous donor’s gift has now been fully realized at more than $60 million in support of technology education at Biola. The gift is advancing technology education at Biola in numerous ways, including the establishment of three endowed chairs in the Haque College: the Steve and Jeanette Antoniuk Endowed Chair in Engineering, the Wesley and Joy Daniels Endowed Chair in Software Engineering and the John and Virginia Elsen Endowed Chair in Artificial Intelligence. These faculty leaders will play a key role in the continued growth of technology education at Biola. The position descriptions are published on Biola’s website.

The Haque College of Engineering and Technology welcomes curiosity and passion for meaningful innovation to Biola and will equip the next generation of Christian innovators. Learn more and apply today.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communications manager. For more information, email haque.college@biola.edu.