CALIFORNIA, Md. –
Building upon opportunities for technology innovation is a SMART decision!
On Oct. 15, invited guests from academic institutions, corporate industry and government sectors, including Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) personnel, attended the grand opening of the Southern Maryland Autonomous Research and Technology (SMART) Building located in California, Maryland. Capt. Glen Ives, U.S. Navy Retired, acted as master of ceremonies for the event and provided the welcoming remarks.
The new 84,000 square foot SMART Building marks the educational pathway for the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM) to provide opportunities for students from across the southern Maryland region to study and work in their own backyard.
The facility offers state-of-the-art capabilities for in-person classroom instruction as well as access to leading educational programs in disciplines such as technology, education, business and social work at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
The SMART Building is also home to an innovative autonomous technologies research facility, which provides land, air and underwater test capabilities – the only higher education center in the University System of Maryland with a research component. As part of an existing partnership with the University of Maryland Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site, the facility designates research and engineering development space and an extra 16 classrooms for training and professional events.
Additionally, the SMART Building promotes economic growth opportunities for regional defense contractors, technology companies and military command centers in the surrounding areas.
The opening of the SMART Building presents further opportunities for collaborative efforts, partnership agreements and recruiting events to warfare centers like NSWCDD as well as supports the Southern Maryland community.