University of Oklahoma seeks to improve rural, tribal areas with tech via new partnership
A new partnership between the University of Oklahoma and the Choctaw Nation seeks to harness technology to improve rural and tribal communities throughout the state.
Through the three-year partnership announced Wednesday, the university and the Choctaw Nation’s Advanced Technology Initiatives will work together to research advanced transportation technologies, resilience to weather events and defense and security challenges such as the development of counter-drone systems.
“We are thrilled to partner with [the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma] on this important work and leverage OU’s deep research expertise in radar technologies and severe weather for the benefit of the state and nation,” Drew Allen, deputy executive director of the university’s Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute, said in a press release.
The two groups anticipate that the partnership will produce technological advancements, workforce development, economic growth and scientific discovery. Additionally, Choctaw students interested in science, technology, engineering and math fields will have opportunities to engage with experts in those fields.
“We are excited to work with the University of Oklahoma in several exciting fields,” James Grimsley, executive director of advanced technology initiatives with the Choctaw Nation, said in the release. “Both [the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma] and OU are developing world-class capabilities to address important challenges for our communities. This collaboration will accelerate our ability to improve the quality of life and health in our reservation.”
