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February 27, 2008

URI gets explosive recognition, grant

The University of Rhode Island has been named a leading authority on explosives.

The Department of Homeland Security has designated the school a national Center for Excellence for Explosives Detection, Mitigation, and Response.

With the designation -- shared with Northeastern University -- comes a grant worth millions of dollars over four to six years to manage research and certificate programs.

“This grant from Homeland Security recognizes URI’s leading research and outreach in explosives, energetic materials and pyrotechnics,” URI Professor Jimmie Oxley said, “and its ability to partner with other institutions doing work in these areas,”

While URI will head the education aspect of the new Center, Northeastern will be the research wing.

“This is tremendous news for the University of Rhode Island, and for our entire state,” Rep. Jim Langevin said in a statement.

Langevin chair’s Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology.

“The recognition of URI’s status as a premier education and research institution is well-deserved,” he said, “and this new Center of Excellence will be an asset to the whole country.”

The Center will research and evaluate risks, costs and consequences of terrorism and develop tools and methods to protect against it – especially in airplane cargo security, baggage screening and passenger identification.

The Center will be get about $4 million per year for four to six years -- up to $2 million will go to URI.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:52 AM | Permalink

February 27, 2008

URI gets explosive recognition, grant

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