UT Tyler faculty were awarded $3 million in external grants last year including several federally-funded awards for research. Research projects range from aerospace to arts to medical sciences to engineering. Very recently, UT Tyler in partnership with a local business was awarded a $505,000 Office of Naval Research grant for continued development of a quick-release cargo restraint system. Perryman praised the partnership of university researchers and private business as the “type of activity that can bring about tremendous benefits, both economic and otherwise, to the university, the local area, and society as a whole.”
To assess university research capabilities across the state, The University of Texas System commissioned an independent advisory group to examine research potential at all UT campuses. The Washington Advisory Group, led by the Emeritus President of Vanderbilt University, found UT Tyler ready for significant expansion of research activities. Citing faculty qualifications and successful partnerships in cooperative doctoral programs, the scholars recommended UT Tyler add selected doctoral programs to become a doctoral intensive university, a categorization similar to Baylor University.
The only public College of Engineering in East Texas is another asset that positions UT Tyler for future excellence in producing research relevant to economic growth. Enrollment in engineering programs has increased 40 percent in the last two years. Just as important as growth is the quality of engineering graduates. In the most recent statewide engineering certification examinations, UT Tyler students passed the exam at a higher rate than UT Austin, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech.
Tyler is one of only three cities in Texas where The University of Texas operates both an academic and a medical campus. The nearby UT Health Center at Tyler offers substantial opportunities for research partnerships. In both Dallas and San Antonio were both UT academic and medical institutions exist, successful research synergies have been developed. In describing the potential for Tyler, the Perryman report pointed to the UT Dallas-UT Southwestern partnership as well as San Antonio’s biotechnology research park.
The true competitive advantage of the US economy lies in technological development. Rather than seeking to stop outsourcing, it is important to focus on generating technological advances. Universities like UT Tyler must play an important role. The ongoing emergence of a more extensive research presence at UT Tyler will doubtless spark notable associated activity throughout the East Texas economy.
UT Tyler Leads State in Engineering Student Success
Percent of University Engineering Students Passing the Fall 2004 State Certification Exam
| |
Students Tested |
% Passing |
UT Tyler |
20 |
95% |
UT Austin |
125 |
89% |
Texas Tech |
107 |
89% |
Texas A&M-Kingsville |
17 |
88% |
Texas A&M-College Station |
216 |
84% |
UT Arlington |
50 |
70% |
University of Houston |
56 |
68% |
Lamar University |
33 |
61% |
UT Pan American |
28 |
61% |
Source: October 30, 2004 Fundamentals of Examination |
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