The Daily Gamecock

SC aerospace expo promotes innovation, education

Leaders in the scientific, academic and political communities of South Carolina are connecting this week for a third annual aerospace conference.

Held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the event targets "education initiatives, workforce development, innovation, the economic impact of the aerospace industry in the South East, supply chain opportunities and partnerships between industry and higher education institutions." It began Tuesday and will go through Thursday.

A prominent component of the Aerospace Conference and Exhibition conference is a technical symposium, which focused on aerospace engineering facets such as structures and materials, cost effectiveness of manufacturing and product design technologies.

An open house was held Tuesday afternoon at USC's Ronald E. McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research. Founded in 2011, the center aims to support and make advances in aerospace research and a "knowledge-based economy."

Wednesday, following a series of speakers that included scientist Zafer Gürdal, director of the McNAIR Center, several leaders in academia participated in a panel discussion of higher education and its connections to aerospace innovation. The technical symposium was also held that afternoon with a networking lunch between sessions.

The emcee on Wednesday was Ann Marie Stieritz, President and CEO of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness.

"This conference continues to be an example of what can be achieved through what we call 'radical collaboration,'" Stieritz said, referencing the five organizations that planned the conference: the McNAIR Center, the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, the SC Department of Commerce, the SC Aeronautics Commission and the SC Aviation Association. 

Stieritz reminded those in attendance of the conference's agenda and its inclusion of both a "business and industry track" to more adequately adhere to the interests and career fields of the attendees. 

Representatives of those organizations and of the community were present at the event Wednesday. 

"It takes a great deal of ... hard work to put a conference like this together, and from its inception, enough organizations jumped and joined the McNAIR Center to make this happen," Gürdal said before extending thanks to those organizations and individuals who participated in the conference's development.

Gürdal introduced the next speaker, USC Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs Joan Gabel.

"From hot air balloons and gliders and wax and feathers to passenger jets and rockets and space shuttles, here we find ourselves now," Gabel said to the guests, recognizing the history of aerospace engineering and the advances therein that people continue to make. 

Gabel told the audience how amazing it is to have such a conference that brings heads together in the hopeful progression of the aerospace industry. She also stated that aerospace is the second largest industry cluster in South Carolina.

Following Dr. Gabel and Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt, Mayor Steve Benjamin delivered a welcome address.

"I very much enjoy coming here each year because I'm surrounded by so many smart people," Benjamin said.

"Thanks to the University of South Carolina and the incredible research that's happening here all across campus, but specifically today, the McNAIR Center and the groundbreaking research there ... for pulling each and every one of you together in the heart of our state," the mayor said. "We're excited about the future of our great state." 


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