KSU receives its largest federal grant in university history
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – It was a historic day for Kentucky State University on Thursday.
The university announced its largest stand-alone federal award in university history.
The Natural Science Foundation awarded the university with a $7 million award for driving ag tech.
KSU President, Dr. Koffi Akakpo, says when they decided to apply for the grant his team told him they needed two years to put together a proposal, but that wouldn’t do.
“You have 48 hours,” said Dr. Akakpo. “So we went through the process and now we are here.”
The award will help KSU impact workforce development, STEM and agriculture across the state and will allow KSU to broaden its research and study of soilless agriculture.
“One of our outreach components is to help inner cities and students from inner cities to grow hydroponically,” said Dr. Avinash Tope, the Acting Director of Land Grants Programs. “Much of the produce that can be produced through aquaponics and hydroponics have got a lot of promise.”
Receiving a grant of this size is a huge milestone for KSU and they have big plans.
“Because agriculture is life and Kentucky state university is agriculture,” said Dr. Marcus Bernard, Acting Dean of the College of Agriculture. “So through these partnerships and this project, we’ll be able to better impact our community and transform this state.”
Dr. Akakpo says the next venture for KSU is a nursing school.
