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One Okaloosa News

UF Innovation Station Comes to Northwest Florida

Posted April 23, 2020

The University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering has announced the establishment of its second Innovation Station, UFIS at the REEF. Located in northwest Florida near Eglin Air Force Base (EAFB), the new engineering extension program will leverage the infrastructure and resources afforded by the UF Research and Engineering Education Facility (REEF) while providing further expansion of community outreach and workforce development opportunities to EAFB and the surrounding community.

Established in 2016, UF Innovation Stations (UFIS) are regionally based locations dedicated to driving economic and workforce development in critical regions of the state and strengthening Florida’s role in the global innovation economy. They are designed to meet the university’s goal of serving its land grant mission by providing measurable impact to Florida’s tech economy through proactive access to UF talent, technology, infrastructure, and students.

REEF, which opened its present campus in Shalimar, Florida, in October 1995, will continue to provide support for the graduate education needs of the Eglin community in concert with UFIS. REEF will also continue to respond to Air Force research needs and opportunities through collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

The UFIS at the REEF will build on current offerings and grow to include:

  • Expanded support of graduate school programs for Eglin Air Force Base personnel through the Electronic Delivery of Gator Engineering (EDGE) online and distance learning programs
    • Support for regional workforce development through
      • Standard and industry-specific engineering certification short courses
      • Facilitation of a talent pipeline for regionally based internships and full-time employmen
    • Support of college pathways for engineering degrees and careers in the Northwest Florida region
    • Support for community educational outreach through:
      • Partnerships with the Hsu Educational Foundation and other community organizations aimed at developing STEM talent in the region
      • Innovative professional development for STEM educators