National Network For Pulp And Paper Technology Training Receives National Science Foundation Grant
Thomasville, AL - The National Network for Pulp and Paper Technology Training (npt2) was granted continuing support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the project entitled "NPT2 - - Building a Technologically Advanced Pulp, Paper, and Allied Industries Workforce and Contributing to the Development of the Nation's Renewable Energy Capacity." The grant is under the direction of T. J. Murphy (Executive Director of the Center), Dumont B. Henderson, Barbara McDonald, Harry T. Cullinan, Mary B. Cornell and Ralph Benefiel. Effective August 15, 2009 the award is a continuing grant that has been approved on scientific/technical merit for a three-year duration. As a National Center of Excellence, the National Network focuses on the urgent need to upgrade the knowledge and skill level of the US forest products industry workforce. Other NSF Centers of Excellence have been established for the fields of Aerospace, Agriscience, Biotechnology and Marine Advanced Technology.
The National Center for Pulp and Paper Technology, the only one of its kind in a rural area, is a vital element in the development of a technologically advanced workforce (TAW) that will preserve this core American industry— Mark T. Watkins, MWV and Chairman, CTO Committee, Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance and Ron Brown, Executive Director, Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance
Established in June 2004, the National Network has the mission of providing the pulp and paper sector of the US forest products industry with a globally competitive, technologically advanced workforce, and giving students and incumbent workers across the nation exciting and effective education and training opportunities. Since its inception the National Network members have provided critical training and education services to the pulp and paper industries through a scholarships-internships-jobs model based on academic and industry partnerships.
The renewal funding will be used to support the following areas: (1) Broad Outreach, (2) Curriculum Development and Enhancement, (3) Sustainability, (4) Student Recruitment, Retention and Job Placement, and (5) Faculty Development. It also provides provisions for the research, development and implementation of curriculum to accommodate the cellulose-based, renewable energy initiatives currently undertaken at the country's pulp and paper mills which could then be used as a model program for other colleges and universities to help meet the nation's energy needs.
The original NSF grant was awarded to Alabama Southern Community College as an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) National Center of Excellence grant to establish the National Center. It includes four regional nodes hosted by two-year colleges: (1) Alabama Southern Community College (Southern Node and location of the National Center), (2) Kennebec Community College (Northeast Node), (3) ITASCA Community College (Midwest Node) and (4) Lower Columbus College (Western Node). Other charter members include TAPPI and Auburn University. Additional colleges are being and have been recruited into the Network.
The National Network is a part of the Technologically Advanced Workforce (TAW) platform supported as an important technology platform by the American Forest and Paper Association's special project group Agenda 2020 and TAPPI.
SOURCE: National Network