On Wednesday, Oklahoma State University leaders announced the formation of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education, or OAIRE.
The institute aims to bring the state’s aerospace innovation economy under one organization to support growth in Oklahoma and beyond by helping to generate jobs and research through ongoing and future partnerships between OSU and commercial, military and government agencies.
Oklahoma State University President Dr. Kayse Shrum detailed how OSU has played a role in building the aerospace sector in the state.
"We've had a partnership with NASA for more than 50 years," Shrum said. "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."
OAIRE will provide ways to build an Oklahoma aerospace workforce pipeline and will also extend research and course offerings at OSU DISCOVERY in OKC's Innovation District and at the Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center in Tulsa’s Greenwood District.
“One important way we live up to our land-grant mission of access and service is through graduate and undergraduate programs and the outreach we provide to K-12 schools,’ Shrum said.
OSU will prioritize outreach to Native American and other underrepresented K-12 students with a goal of developing and retaining talent for Oklahoma-based companies.
Dr. Cecilia Robinson-Woods, superintendent of Millwood Public Schools in Oklahoma City, said one of her biggest concerns in preparing kids for life is always jobs.
Robinson-Woods said partnering with OSU has helped prepare students for future careers in STEM by providing them exposure to what a career would look like in those fields.
She also noted the location of OSU DISCOVERY is significant for underserved communities and school districts.
"I think it's paramount that being located here in the Innovation District, that we focus on surrounding school districts that service a population that wouldn't always have access to these types of jobs," Robinson-Woods said. "I appreciate the partnership, and we look forward to preparing tomorrow's workforce with our kids from surrounding districts."
Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation, Elizabeth Pollard, also made remarks about the institute's formation.
"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," Pollard said.
Some of the industry partners of the institute include NASA, Boeing, U.S. Airforce, American Airlines, Tulsa Innovation Labs and Spirit Aerosystems.
OSU produces 70 percent of the state's aerospace engineering degrees and has more than 500 students enrolled in the aerospace engineering program, with more than 80 graduates per year. Over the last 10 years, the enrollment for OSU's aerospace engineering program has grown by over 62 percent.
