UAFS Gets $2M In Grants for Robotics, Computer Science Programs
Source: Sarah Campbell
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith announced Monday that it has received two workforce development grants totaling nearly $2 million from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to implement robotics and computer science programs.
The $2 million — $987,000 for on-site, university-supervised robotics at three area school districts and $984,000 for the computer science program — was the most received by any educational institution in the state from the ADHE, according to a news release.
The new programs will allow students to earn a technical certificate, with the option to transition into an associate or bachelor's degree program afterward.
The robotics laboratories will be installed at Fort Smith Public Schools, Greenwood Public Schools and Charleston Public Schools to train the next generation for an evolving manufacturing industry, the release states.
The computer science courses in programing, networking and operating systems will be available to students of Fort Smith Public Schools, Alma Public Schools and Van Buren Public Schools. Introductory courses will also be included in the program.
UAFS Chancellor Paul Beran noted that more than 25,000 in the region are employed by manufacturing enterprises.
Employees from industry partners ABB, Pernod-Ricard, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Hickory Springs Manufacturing will serve as mentors to the students. Along with the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District and the Western Arkansas Workforce Development Board, they will also identify needs for the program.
"The evolution of the traditional manufacturing calls for a new skillset for our regional industries to remain competitive. Jobs in computer science fields are in high demand across multiple industry sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and retail, among others," Beran said. "Additionally, UAFS and industry partners identified a lack of information technology skills among employees, especially in programming and networking. As it is expected to continue being a high growth area with demand for expertise, we saw the necessity of prioritizing it through a program funded by the workforce development grant."
The computer science industry partners Wal-Mart, the 188th Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, First National Bank, Arvest and Weldon and Williams & Lick will serve as mentors.
Ken Warden, dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, said the grants will help advance the university’s priority of creating a seamless educational pathway for high school students.
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