Institute Aims Unite The Aerospace Industry In Oklahoma

Oklahoma State University shares their plans to support aerospace growth in Oklahoma and beyond  with the launch of Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education.

OSU President Kayse Shrum shares the news, “Our mission is to drive cross-industry collaborations and innovation, which is exactly what brings us together today,” she says. “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 aims to support collaborations between university, commercial, military and government agencies. The main goal is to unite the aerospace industries to generate jobs, and provide best-in-class research facilities. The institute will also focus on building STEM connections for grades K-12 to promote community involvement. Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard continued by discussing how this will help Oklahoma’s future and economy in the aerospace sector.

“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.

OSU has a 50 plus year history of working on projects with NASA, with 500-plus students enrolled in it’s aerospace engineering program, graduating 80-plus per year.

FMI: https://go.okstate.edu/