The Taylor Geospatial Institute, a new St. Louis research institute focused on geospatial technology, is using a $1 million grant to launch a workforce training program.
TGI, which launched in April 2022, said Friday a $1 million grant awarded to Saint Louis University from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development will be used to establish the TGI Academy. The new academy program is designed to provide training on geospatial technology to both the future and current workforce.
“This grant enables us to broaden our core mission of geospatial research and training the next generation of geospatial researchers,” said Vasit Sagan, acting TGI director and associate professor of geospatial science at Saint Louis University.
In a news release, TGI said its new training academy will be able to provide workforce development programming “at multiple levels, from undergraduate STEM and geospatial degree and credential programs to advanced professional development opportunities.” It will focus on geospatial technology in areas that include artificial intelligence, software and drones. Specifically, TGI said the grant funding will be used to create a computing training lab, develop virtual reality/extended reality tools to teach geospatial science and to create micro-credential programs and geospatial science degree programs. Additionally, TGI said its grant will be used to host a geospatial data science summer camp in June for students in grades 4-12.
“There is a real threat to U.S. national intelligence if we fall behind in core geospatial sciences,” Sagan said. “This grant is an example of TGI leveraging state resources, along with our private/public partnerships to develop the geospatial workforce.”
TGI includes eight regional research institutions and aims to expand St. Louis’ position as a hub of geospatial research and innovation. It is targeting research around the topics of food security, geospatial science and computation, health care, and national security.
TGI is funded through a “legacy investment” from Andy Taylor, executive chairman of Clayton-based rental car giant Enterprise Holdings Inc., and capital from its eight members. Member institutions include the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Harris-Stowe State University, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Saint Louis University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University.
