In the Palmetto State, we often talk about our team first approach – Team South Carolina. Nowhere is that approach more evident than in the recent collaborations between our industry leaders and our institutions of higher education. In the month of December alone, three major partnerships were announced, showcasing the unique, collaborative atmosphere that exists in South Carolina.
On December 7, Samsung announced a research and development (R&D) partnership with Clemson University and the University of South Carolina (USC), effectively creating the Palmetto Consortium for Home Appliance Innovation. A robust R&D program, the initiative is designed to catalyze innovation, foster public/private collaboration and nurture the next generation of advanced manufacturing professionals in South Carolina.
The following week, USC was involved in the announcement of another major effort to connect business with education; this time with one of the state’s tire heavyweights – Continental. Through a $2 million grant, USC will create a new Continental Endowed Chair position at the Darla Moore School of Business. Expected to begin as early as 2020 following a national search, the endowed chair will support the growing demand for teaching and research in the areas of operations and supply chain.
The state’s growing aerospace industry was also the benefactor of a new partnership announced last month. A joint effort between S.C. Commerce, USC and Boeing, a new $2 million aerospace research endowment is being created at the University’s College of Engineering and Computing. Named for the state’s largest private-sector aerospace company, the Boeing Endowment will support practice‐based innovative teaching and research in material architecture and integrated intelligent manufacturing systems.
“Collaborative efforts, like these, between the public sector, private industry and academia are critical,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “They allow us to ensure that, as a state, we’re doing all we can to remain on the cutting edge of innovation and product development, while also training our workers for the jobs of the future.”