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| Oklahoma State University President Kayse Shrum speaks to a crowd at the unveiling of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education at OSU DISCOVER in Oklahoma City. (Photo: Business Wire) |
Oklahoma State University announced this week the creation of a new institute aimed at supporting aerospace industry growth in Oklahoma and beyond.
“Our mission is to drive cross-industry collaborations and innovation, which is exactly what brings us together today,” said OSU President Kayse Shrum. “Oklahoma State University offers a complete turnkey solution for Oklahoma’s aerospace industry needs. From K-12 enrichment and workforce development, through faculty and graduate research to groundbreaking innovations in industry partnerships, we are leading the state to advance this important economic engine.
“Today, we’re announcing the formation of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education. Oklahoma State University is the clear leader in aerospace within our state. We’ve had a partnership with NASA for more than 50 years. We’ve been training pilots for more than 80 years. Our depth and breadth of knowledge, faculty and research investments cannot be matched. We’re so proud of this very long history in aerospace and aviation excellence.”
The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE) will bring the state’s aerospace innovation economy together under one umbrella. OAIRE will support ongoing and future partnerships between university, commercial, military and government agencies, becoming a valuable resource for developing Oklahoma’s aerospace ecosystem. That includes generating high-tech jobs and cutting-edge research that brings commercial enterprise and military sustainment support to the state.
The comprehensive scope of OAIRE also includes K-12 outreach programs focused on STEM connections, building the Oklahoma aerospace workforce pipeline and promoting community involvement.
Dr. Shrum said OAIRE will allow OSU to connect seamlessly with industry and K-12 partners and elevate OSU’s leadership role in Oklahoma aerospace, inspiring the next generation of aviators and engineers while enhancing opportunities for industry and defense partners in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard echoed Dr. Shrum’s excitement.
“The Oklahoma economy is at an inflection point,” Pollard said. “Disruptive technology is changing the face of every industry and forcing all states to reassess how best to compete and remain relevant in a knowledge-based innovation economy. Innovation is the key driver to economic growth and prosperity. It is critically important to Oklahoma’s future. It will grow and diversify our state economy, accelerate our state’s competitiveness and create large-scale, high-paying jobs for Oklahomans.
“The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education will be at the forefront of innovation in the aerospace realm, and I commend Oklahoma State University for their successful programs and continued partnerships with the state. Prominent research and development activity related to aerospace has been underway for decades at OSU and with their leadership in this dynamic industry, Oklahoma will be well-positioned to lead the ever-evolving aerospace frontier. The state of Oklahoma has significant research and development strengths, and with OSU’s leadership, the vision to emerge as a leading region for growth in the autonomous systems and aerospace industry is imminent.”
Due to industry demand, aviation is one of the fastest-growing programs in the OSU’s College of Education and Human Sciences. To reach OSU constituents across the state, OAIRE will expand OSU aerospace research and course offerings in Oklahoma City at OSU DISCOVERY and in Tulsa at the Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center. This will allow students greater access to OSU’s undergraduate and graduate programs, which will be tailored to meet the needs of the aerospace sector in the surrounding area. Professionals seeking aerospace-related degrees can take aerospace or systems engineering core courses in Oklahoma City, Tulsa or Stillwater.
For K-12 schools, programming will include technical training, career placement and entrepreneurial opportunities for student engagement and retention. OSU will prioritize outreach to Native American and other underrepresented K-12 students with the goal of developing and retaining the talent pipeline for Oklahoma-based companies.
Dr. Cecilia Robinson-Woods, superintendent of Millwood Public Schools in Oklahoma City, said one of her major concerns is preparing students for future careers, especially ones from underserved communities and the school districts surrounding the OKC Innovation District. She said partnering with OSU has been a tremendous help in showcasing opportunities for students. This summer, for example, OSU welcomed more than 1,500 students to STEM camps.
“This partnership with Oklahoma State and aerospace helps us tremendously in regard to assuring that we’ll be able to train teachers to prepare kids, and then giving kids opportunities to see jobs in these high-paying industries. We’re very, very excited for the partnership to add exposure, starting with the STEM camps this summer. Sending 1,500 kids to just be exposed to what a career in aerospace or engineering or STEM would look like is an amazing start. …
“I think it is paramount that being located here in Innovation District, that we focus on surrounding school districts that service a population that wouldn’t always have access to these types of jobs. I appreciate the partnership, and we look forward to preparing tomorrow’s workforce with our kids from surrounding districts.”
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