$6.6M SUNY 2020 Grant to Fund Infrastructure, Transportation and Security Center
January 24, 2016
Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul was on campus last Thursday to announce that $6.6 million in SUNY 2020 funding has been awarded to FSC to establish the Infrastructure, Transportation and Security Center. The Center will take an academic focus on strengthening security at regional infrastructure and transportation systems, and train students in related fields of study.
L-R: Nazrul Islam, Bahar Zoghi, President Keen, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, Mostafa Ardakani, Jeanne Radigan and Dimitris Samaras (Stony Brook)
Said the Lt. Governor: “A secure and reliable transportation network is critical to economic growth both in the State and across the country. The Center establishes New York State and Farmingdale State College as leaders in how we meet the challenges of fighting terrorism and today’s ‘new normal.’ This is going to attract students from all over the country who want to take advantage of this unique program at a time when security must be layered into the planning and execution of transportation infrastructure projects.”
Governor Cuomo, a big booster of the project, said: “As terrorism continues to threaten our way of life, we must do all we can to stay vigilant and strengthen our defenses. The new Infrastructure, Transportation and Security Center will be key in ensuring that the security experts of tomorrow are prepared with the best possible training and resources needed to keep us safe.”
The Center is the brainchild of four FSC faculty members: Nazrul Islam, chair of security systems and law enforcement technology; Bahar Zoghi, architecture and construction management; Mostafa Ardakani, architecture and construction management; and Jeanne Radigan, chair of aviation administration. The School of Engineering Technology is overseen by Dean Kamal Shahrabi. The grant is managed by Director of Research and Sponsored Programs Dawn Grzan. Stony Brook University and Nassau Community College are partnering with FSC.
Plans call for FSC to hire up to five teaching and research faculty in the next five years and establish new research and academic programs, including graduate and undergraduate-level courses and skill-based training programs. The college will also expand and create new partnerships with public agencies and private companies. Through field visits and high school outreach programs, the Center will educate under-represented students for possible careers in this field.
For examples of how the ITSC may help in transportation security, go to YouTube.
“The Center provides an exceptional opportunity for our faculty and students to be on the front line of protecting our economic and national security,” said President Keen. “The faculty and staff of Farmingdale are uniquely qualified to conduct research and provide workforce training in support of the ITSC.”
The Center is expected to be fully implemented by 2020.
