Elizabeth City State University is the only four-year public North Carolina institution with an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) degree program. UAS technology use, otherwise known as drones, has been growing in fields like agriculture, medicine and .
Now, Elizabeth City State is growing its offerings in Eastern North Carolina. The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) is with Wake Technical Community College to launch an UAS education program.
Elizabeth City State instructors will teach students how to operate drones on Wake Tech鈥檚 . Wake Tech President Scott Ralls said the UAS part of campus will be like a 鈥淭op Golf for drones,鈥� with a simulation lab and outdoor drone pavilion.
鈥淭his is technology that offers capabilities in multiple different industries,鈥� Ralls said. 鈥淪o, whether you鈥檙e a farmer utilizing it, or you鈥檙e surveying, architecture, emergency management or healthcare 鈥� we鈥檙e going to see a prevalence of autonomous aircraft. And with this partnership, we鈥檒l be in the lead with those capabilities.鈥�
This drone education partnership is also intended to benefit communities outside of Elizabeth City State and Wake Tech. The schools plan to work with East Wake High School in Wendell to create a drone academy, as well as Lenoir Community College on aviation and emergency management programs.
Wake Tech鈥檚 Wendell location is set to open fall 2024. It will also include other simulation labs, including for emergency management and public safety.
