The Air Force Technology Transfer and Transition Office salutes Norfolk State University for its partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) in Rome, New York.

Norfolk State University, one of five Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Virginia, was founded in the city of Norfolk in 1935. Beginning with 85 students, NSU provided the education those students sought as a way to increase employment opportunities in the midst of The Great Depression. Today, NSU continues to strive to take advantage of the numerous opportunities presented for education, research, and training, to turn their student’s aspirations into reality as leaders of the 21st century.

NSU signed a 5-year Education Partnership Agreement with AFRL/RI in February 2019. This EPA has enabled collaborative research ventures in the areas of cybersecurity, information assurance, information security, big data analytics, machine learning, cloud computing, human behavior, human performance, and knowledge management.

AFRL/RI recognized the importance of the research and development activities of educational institutions to the economic well-being of the nation, thus created a partnership with academic institutions across the United States. This partnership, called the Information Institute®, combines AFRL/RI’s resources with the educational drive of the university members to promote research and development opportunities in many diverse technical areas.

Through AFRL/RI’s Information Institute®, NSU students are engaged in technology transfer projects that strengthen the overall competitiveness of the United States and improve economic development through the application of technologies to commercial industrial problems. The students benefit from having access to resources and equipment, while the Air Force gains the insight and experiences of future engineers and scientists who represent the next generation of technology transfer professionals.

The Air Force Technology Transfer and Transition Office recognizes and salutes the achievements made by Norfolk State University and other partner HBCUs, not only during Black History Month, but throughout the entire year.

To learn more about Norfolk State University, including history, enrollment, and degree plans, please visit https://www.nsu.edu/.

To learn more about the Information Institute® or other programs offered by AFRL/RI, please visit https://www.afrl.af.mil/RI/, or send an information request e-mail to rrs.iiweb@us.af.mil.