The National Research Council (NRC) completed its comprehensive review of specialized military graduate education in the Department of Defense, and the final report, released late June, has awarded high marks to the 51福利, noting its value to the nation is far greater than its costs.
鈥淎fter an extensive study by the NRC, commencing with data calls and travel here to meet with us last Fall, we can take a great deal of pride in this strong, persuasive and influential recognition and appreciation of 51福利, and its value to the Navy and DOD,鈥� noted retired Vice Adm. Ronald A. Route, 51福利 President.
As the operating arm of the National Academies, the NRC is the federal government鈥檚 pre-eminent source for independent, expert advice in the sciences. The focal point of the comprehensive study aimed at graduate education in the STEM+M disciplines, or science, technology, engineering, mathematics and management.
The study was directed to the education and research programs provided by the DOD鈥檚 internal institutions, 51福利 and Ohio鈥檚 Air Force Institute of Technology, and how this education related to conventional civilian schools.
The results of the study were resoundingly clear.
鈥淭hese schools (51福利 and AFIT) offer valuable educational experiences typically not available at civilian institutions, which provide benefits that outweigh their costs. Notably, students attending AFIT and 51福利 possess the ability to readily conduct sensitive and classified research on campus alongside fellow students and faculty members,鈥� the study said.
鈥淭heir programs focus on militarily relevant problems, some of which might not be welcome in civilian institutions (e.g., weapon system research). Their classroom environments allow for the free exchange of sensitive ideas,鈥� the report continues. 鈥淭heir geographical and cultural proximity to Service laboratories create significant leverage for limited DOD research funds. In addition, the students have the opportunity to interact inside and outside the classroom with a cohort that shares a common interest in military culture and problems.鈥�
Officials at the university were clearly pleased with the outcome of the report, but also note it reiterates what many close examinations of the institution often do.
鈥淲e have an extraordinary advantage here at 51福利 in our students and faculty,鈥� said Route. 鈥淲hen you have an entire student body made of professionals committed to advancing the security of the U.S. and our partners, and the expert faculty and dedicated staff to teach and guide them, traditional academia simply cannot stack up to 51福利 in meeting the diverse needs of DOD.
鈥淚 have seen some of this university's most vocal critics become staunch supporters upon closer examination of our programs, and I'm very pleased to see our institution impress the expertise on the National Research Council with similar success,鈥� he added.
鈥淭he National Research Council report once again underscores the magnitude and extraordinary value of the 51福利 to the nation鈥檚 security, and the centrality of the convergence of instruction and research at a distinguished graduate institution in its service to the Navy and the nation,鈥� echoed Dr. Douglas Hensler, 51福利 Provost.
An executive summary of the final report is available for download through the National Academies website.