LASER-TEC and NSF Assist Puerto Rico Photonics Institute Students -
December 13, 2017
Fort Pierce, FL — Hurricane Maria desolated the island of Puerto Rico, and left many people without homes, power, or access to fresh water. Strong winds and flooding destroyed critical infrastructure and most communication lines. The city of San Juan, home to the Puerto Rico Photonics Institute (PRPI) at the Universidad Metropolitana, was no exception. Despite the devastation, the PRPI Laser and Photonics Certificate program courses restarted in late October of this year. However, the Institute struggled with placing students in the Industry Technical Internship program due to economic challenges currently present on the island.
LASER-TEC with the support of the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program offered stipends for students in need, allowing them to pursue the eight-week internship requirement of the program, and finish their certificate on time. The students will be working for local fiber optics companies to gain valuable hands-on experience and help restore the telecommunication systems of Puerto Rico. The stipends will cover students’ wages, cost of living, and transportation during the length of the internship.
LASER-TEC is a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Center of Excellence in Lasers and Fiber Optics and is headquartered at Indian River State College, in Fort Pierce, Florida. It is an association of community and state colleges, universities, K-12 schools and technical centers, trade associations, and laser and fiber optic (LFO) companies. The Center’s mission is to develop a sustainable pipeline of qualified laser and fiber optic technicians to meet industry needs. For more information about LASER-TEC please contact Dr. Chrys Panayiotou, Executive Director at cpanayio@irsc.edu or 772-462-7621.
LASER-TEC with the support of the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program offered stipends for students in need, allowing them to pursue the eight-week internship requirement of the program, and finish their certificate on time. The students will be working for local fiber optics companies to gain valuable hands-on experience and help restore the telecommunication systems of Puerto Rico. The stipends will cover students’ wages, cost of living, and transportation during the length of the internship.
LASER-TEC is a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Center of Excellence in Lasers and Fiber Optics and is headquartered at Indian River State College, in Fort Pierce, Florida. It is an association of community and state colleges, universities, K-12 schools and technical centers, trade associations, and laser and fiber optic (LFO) companies. The Center’s mission is to develop a sustainable pipeline of qualified laser and fiber optic technicians to meet industry needs. For more information about LASER-TEC please contact Dr. Chrys Panayiotou, Executive Director at cpanayio@irsc.edu or 772-462-7621.
