CANYON — West Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering is poised to deepen its industrial and governmental partnerships thanks to a $350,000 federal grant from the National Science Foundation’s Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) program. This grant is part of NSF’s Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) directorate, which aims to strengthen the collaborative potential of universities and expand their research impact.
Dr. Fatemeh “Azi” Tabei, lead researcher and assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science at WT, explained that the grant will not only increase WT’s visibility in the research landscape, but it will also serve to enhance the educational and professional experience for faculty and students alike. “This initiative supports three primary goals: improving institutional processes for partnership development, establishing a partnership training program, and diversifying and expanding our network of external partners,” Tabei said. “It allows us to focus on key technology areas that are rapidly evolving and essential to the future, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors, and new materials.”
In addition to Tabei, WT’s College of Engineering team includes Dr. Emily Hunt, dean of the college, and Dr. Vinitha Hannah Subburaj, associate dean, who will be instrumental in implementing the program’s objectives…