What a phenomenal spring semester it has been for Prairie View A&M University (PVAMIU) and the Division of Research & Innovation (R&I).
We started the new year with the announcement of the $6M PVAMU-Shell research agreement. In February, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education elevated Prairie View A&M’s research status to an R2 – high research activity. this year, the world learned how great PVAMU is and is becoming.
Our faculty, research scientists, and staff have also been awarded millions in federally funded and government-funded projects throughout this academic year. So, the PVAMU research portfolio reached new milestones and continues to grow.
As an emerging research institution, there is a collective effort to recruit, cultivate, and train students in becoming research scholars and innovators. The Research & Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (RISE) program supported hundreds of students across 23 departments, in 8 colleges and schools. During April’s Research & Innovation Week, everyone witnessed—in person—the outstanding research underway by undergrads, graduate students, faculty, and research scientists. R&I Week’s Industry Day showcased the dozens and dozens of corporations, businesses, governments, and foundations that have partnered with Prairie View or seeking to collaborate with us. Our Innovation Day attracted phenomenal entrepreneurs and businesses who showcased how risk-taking is not on important but necessary to create change or improve the lives of others. And of course, our students shined in the pitch competition.
Just this month, we announced PVAMU’s partnership with Princeton University, the United Negro College Fund, and four other historically Black colleges/universities to expand research & Innovation. The Princeton Alliance for Collaborative Research and Innovation (PACRI) will select projects later this summer. R&I topped off this rewarding semester with our second-ever student research cording ceremony. I personally corded nearly 30 students (graduates and undergraduate) involved in the RISE program in research and innovation. What a semester to celebrate! However, the commitment to becoming an emerging research institution continues this summer and as we prepare for an exceptional fall semester.
- Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., P.E., MBA
