By Nathan Duke
Queensborough Community College has been awarded $132,000 in grants from a national government agency to provide scholarships for 22 graduating high school seniors who are interested in scientific fields.
The scholarship, given to the Bayside school by the National Science Foundation, will provide $6,000 apiece for 22 students to study either electrical engineering technology or laser and fiber optics technology.
“The need for skilled workers in science and technology is expected to dramatically increase over the next 30 years,” said David Lieberman, professor and chairman of the school’s Physics Department. “Through this program, students can take advantage of the college’s partnerships with local industries that often lead to internships and jobs.”
The programs will train students to work in a variety of careers, such as fiber optics technicians, electrical designers, laser safety officers and field engineers.
High school seniors who are interested in the scholarship must apply to Queensborough by March 1.
Students who take part in the program but are new to the college will be enrolled in its Freshman Academy for Science Technology Engineering and Math.
Last fall, the school introduced six new academies, all of which give students personalized academic and support services.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for graduating high school seniors to come to Queensborough and reap the benefits of the college’s personalized academic attention — tuition free,” said Stu Asser, professor and chairman of the school’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Department.
The National Science Foundation is a U.S. government agency that supports research and education in the non-medical fields of science and engineering. It funds research at numerous colleges and universities across the nation.
In 2008, Queensborough received the most funding from the foundation among the City University of New York’s community colleges. The school has received a total of $4.5 million in grants from the National Science Foundation during the past few years, placing it in the top 1 percent of community colleges nationwide to receive funding from the foundation.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
