Altus, OK – The National Science Foundation (NSF) has bestowed a significant grant of $1,179,147 upon the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) and OneNet to fortify campus cyberinfrastructure through the Campus Cyberinfrastructure (CC*) program. This transformative grant aims to extend the reach of the OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (OFFN), fostering technological advancement across academic institutions. Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC), situated at the heart of Western Oklahoma, stands out among the beneficiaries of this pioneering initiative.
In collaboration with OneNet, OSRHE secures its fourth CC* grant to expand the OFFN network, amplifying its capabilities and benefits. Administered by NSF’s Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure, the CC* grant program strategically invests in enhancing campus-level cyberinfrastructure, catering to the needs of scientific applications and research endeavors.
The grant, spanning a two-year cycle, is poised to empower several educational institutions, including Mid-America Christian University (MACU), Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU), Oklahoma State University Biomedical Imaging Center (OSU-BIC), Rose State College (RSC), and notably, Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC). These campuses will gain access to an enriched OFFN network connection, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in various scientific disciplines.
OFFN is an innovative research network that operates at 10 and 100 Gbps, delivering dedicated pathways to the internet and research networks. Unlike conventional internet routes, OFFN presents an accelerated route, enabling researchers to seamlessly transmit data at remarkably higher speeds. This infrastructure revolutionizes the landscape of scientific exploration by providing an efficient platform for data-intensive projects.
The CC* project’s impact will reverberate across an array of scientific domains, including cybersecurity, natural science, biomedical imaging, nursing, and STEM-related education. With these upgraded connections, researchers and educators at the newly connected institutions will be poised to collaborate and innovate on a grand scale, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in their respective fields.
In Western Oklahoma, the connectivity at Western Oklahoma State College will surge to 10 Gbps, enhancing the institution's capacity to engage in cutting-edge research and facilitate collaborative learning experiences. This development reinforces WOSC's commitment to fostering a dynamic and progressive academic environment. “This is a phenomenal opportunity that will provide the technical infrastructure to connect Western Oklahoma State College to
Oklahoma's Science DMZ, effectively providing access to supercomputing resources and fast
data transfer for research and learning,” said Jeremy Bennett, Interim Chief Information Officer
at WOSC.
Under the aegis of OneNet, the state's comprehensive digital communications entity, the grant
will be prudently managed to ensure that the intended impact is realized across all participating
campuses. The collaboration between OSRHE, OneNet, and the NSF sets an inspiring precedent
for technological advancements in education and research.
As the OFFN network expands its reach through the diligent efforts of OSRHE, OneNet, and
their academic partners, the future of scientific discovery and education in Oklahoma and beyond
is poised to reach unprecedented heights.
Western Oklahoma State College is the oldest original municipal two-year college still in
existence in the State of Oklahoma. Its mission is to provide high quality education while
ensuring equity, supporting student success, and empowering individuals to become productive
members of diverse local, regional and global communities. Western offers high-quality
associate degrees and certificates to students in its five-county service area and beyond. For more information, visit wosc.edu.