The US National Science Foundation suspends UTEP’s aerospace grant

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – On April 25, the US National Science Foundation ordered the University of Texas, El Paso to suspend work on the Regional Innovation Engine and Aerospace Center pending further review.

A statement released by the university said: “On or about April 6, UTEP became aware of potentially inaccurate statements in its proposal to the National Science Foundation for the Regional Innovation Engine Program. UTEP conducted a review and determined that the statements in question took resources on the NSF grant, which UTEP does not have. We sent a letter today (May 6) informing the NSF of these erroneous claims.”

According to the university’s website, UTEP won the inaugural NSF Regional Innovation Engines Award in January, which provides up to $15 million over the next two years.

They say they received up to $160 million over 10 years and supported the Paso del Norte Defense and Aerospace Innovation Engine, which would have had a major impact on the borderland community.

According to El Paso Matters, the award was given at the suggestion of Dr. Awarded to Ahsan Choudhuri, Ph.D., UTEP assistant vice president who leads the Aerospace Center.

Since the subsidy suspension was announced, border leaders have expressed concerns.

“DR. Choudhuri and Dr. Wicker have played a critical role in the advancement of UTEP’s Aerospace Center. Their vision has led Far West Texas into an era of ambitious growth and us as a competitive force in aerospace, defense “We will continue our collaboration with UTEP and local partners to ensure the Aerospace Center continues to create economic opportunities and a brighter future for the students, workers and communities of Far West Texas,” said Texas Senator César Blanco.

“Over a decade ago, our community came together to focus its economic development efforts on the aerospace and defense industries with the goal of increasing wages, retaining talent and promoting job creation and ultimately El Paso to position ourselves as a national leader in these industries,” said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar. “At the center of this vision is Dr. Ashan Choudhuri, whose leadership has transformed what was once a dream into a tangible reality that is unfolding before our eyes daily.”

El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser explains how this could have benefited the community: “The City of El Paso – as well as the county and many others in the community – are heavily invested in this partnership, which has the potential to be positive “I am surprised that a decision of this magnitude would be made in a cooperative effort without notice or discussion with relevant partners, and I look forward to working with UTEP to address any issues that may be too important to our community, and us everyone must work together to ensure the success of this effort – for UTEP, for our region and for the thousands of families who will benefit from its success.”

In the statement released by UTEP, Dr. Ahsan Choudhuri was not mentioned, but the university stated that Dr. Kenneth Meissner, dean of the College of Engineering, will serve as interim director of the center effective immediately.