Leaders from the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday morning, officially securing a partnership between the two institutions.

The ceremony for the MOU signing was held at Oakwood University’s Peterson Hall, the school’s temporary home until the opening of its new campus in Cummings Research Park.

“This partnership really opens the door for our students to engage with the Army in a rapidly growing field critical to security concerns and important to private, public, and governmental interests,” ASCTE President Matt Massey said. “Our students have the unparalleled opportunity to delve into real-world challenges in real time, preparing them to drive the innovation needed for a prosperous tomorrow.” Untitled design 1

The collaborative experience will deepen ASCTE students’ understanding of cybersecurity for weapon systems and provide expertise in modeling, advanced image processing, and engineering analysis.

DEVCOM AvMC subject matter experts and staff will enhance students’ understanding of complex challenges in the cyber and engineering fields and allow them to be exposed to future opportunities in support of the Army Outreach and Recruiting program.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to not only strengthen students’ knowledge and understanding of cyber and engineering technology, especially as it relates to supporting the Soldier and our nation’s defense, but to also showcase the vast career opportunities available at the DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center,” said DEVCOM AvMC Director Jeffrey Langhout in a statement. “Partnerships like these are critical to the Army’s future success as we develop and recruit tomorrow’s workforce.”

Untitled design 2 “This partnership today with DEVCOM is representational of everything that the Foundation board and our board of trustees has done over the past four years and even longer,” said Executive Director PeggyLee Wright.

“To look out into the crowd and see our partners in education who have donated financially to our school so we can have that permanent campus in Cummings Research Park makes me emotional. And then to translate that onto the Arsenal with partnerships like DEVCOM so our students can have apprenticeships, internships, and really go into the workforce and have relevant curriculum and hands-on experience…I think this is more than any of us could have imagined,” Wright continued.