HBCU wins unique honor
The University of the Virgin Islands is showing that it can hang with the big boys.
UVI last month announced an $11.5 million, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation, making it the only HBCU to host this type of program. Generally, these grants go to large state universities but UVI, due to its location, was not at the competitive disadvantage that HBCUs in the states have.
“We’re being given the opportunity to handle these big grants and we’re showing that we can do it,” said Dr. Meri Whitaker, director of the Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR), which the grant funds. VI-EPSCoR is a territorial program housed at the university. The grant will allow program participants to conduct global research on the impacts of climate change, work closely with decision makers to apply science to effective management of the territory's natural resources and address local and regional environmental challenges.
The grant also seeks to strengthen teacher and professional development in math and science, increase the number and quality of undergraduates majoring in science and pursuing research experiences, and increase ties between UVI and science education from the elementary to the college levels.
The grant is actually a renewal of an NSF grant VI-EPSCoR received in 2004. The Virgin Islands is the smallest jurisdiction ever to receive such a grant.
The $11.5 million grant also includes:
· Research funding for interdisciplinary studies of Integrated Caribbean Coastal Ecosystems, as well as related social, health and economic impacts on island communities;
· Investments in UVI's cyber infrastructure including broadband connectivity and Internet2, and
· Development of environmental web portals and digital materials to support the territory's research, education and outreach needs.
For more information, call Patrice Johnson at (340) 693-1058. For more information about the University of the Virgin Islands, visit www.uvi.edu.
UVI last month announced an $11.5 million, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation, making it the only HBCU to host this type of program. Generally, these grants go to large state universities but UVI, due to its location, was not at the competitive disadvantage that HBCUs in the states have.
“We’re being given the opportunity to handle these big grants and we’re showing that we can do it,” said Dr. Meri Whitaker, director of the Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR), which the grant funds. VI-EPSCoR is a territorial program housed at the university. The grant will allow program participants to conduct global research on the impacts of climate change, work closely with decision makers to apply science to effective management of the territory's natural resources and address local and regional environmental challenges.
The grant also seeks to strengthen teacher and professional development in math and science, increase the number and quality of undergraduates majoring in science and pursuing research experiences, and increase ties between UVI and science education from the elementary to the college levels.
The grant is actually a renewal of an NSF grant VI-EPSCoR received in 2004. The Virgin Islands is the smallest jurisdiction ever to receive such a grant.
The $11.5 million grant also includes:
· Research funding for interdisciplinary studies of Integrated Caribbean Coastal Ecosystems, as well as related social, health and economic impacts on island communities;
· Investments in UVI's cyber infrastructure including broadband connectivity and Internet2, and
· Development of environmental web portals and digital materials to support the territory's research, education and outreach needs.
For more information, call Patrice Johnson at (340) 693-1058. For more information about the University of the Virgin Islands, visit www.uvi.edu.
