The University of Texas Permian Basin has received a five-year, $3 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program. Its project, AI for the Permian Basin: Developing Artificial Intelligence Ecosystems to Improve Teaching, Learning, and Workforce Outcomes (Project AIPB), will run from October 2026 through September 2031. The university says the initiative is designed to strengthen student success, modernize instruction, and prepare graduates for an AI-driven workforce.

With the grant, UTPB plans to create AI-enabled learning environments and fully equipped AI training and research hubs. It will expand professional development for faculty and staff, and create new credit and non-credit AI credential programs. The initiative will also support integrating AI tools into student-success services, with stated aims to improve persistence, retention, and graduation rates and strengthen workforce readiness.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Raj Dakshinamurthy said the investment would support integrating AI into education while strengthening student support systems. He also credited Jillian Woolard, UTPB’s executive director for grants and sponsored programs, for her leadership and support. President Sandra Woodley said the project would expand access to emerging technologies and connect education with workforce needs.

Over the five-year project, UTPB plans to work with education, industry, and community leaders as a regional convener and workforce partner. The university says those collaborations will shape teaching, learning, and workforce development around the needs of West Texas and the Permian Basin. It also expects the project to build institutional capacity, expand student achievement and career pathways, and support regional workforce development.

The University of Texas Permian Basin has received a five-year, $3 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program. Its project, AI for the Permian Basin: Developing Artificial Intelligence Ecosystems to Improve Teaching, Learning, and Workforce Outcomes (Project AIPB), will run from October 2026 through September 2031. The university says the initiative is designed to strengthen student success, modernize instruction, and prepare graduates for an AI-driven workforce.

With the grant, UTPB plans to create AI-enabled learning environments and fully equipped AI training and research hubs. It will expand professional development for faculty and staff, and create new credit and non-credit AI credential programs. The initiative will also support integrating AI tools into student-success services, with stated aims to improve persistence, retention, and graduation rates and strengthen workforce readiness.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Raj Dakshinamurthy said the investment would support integrating AI into education while strengthening student support systems. He also credited Jillian Woolard, UTPB’s executive director for grants and sponsored programs, for her leadership and support. President Sandra Woodley said the project would expand access to emerging technologies and connect education with workforce needs.

Over the five-year project, UTPB plans to work with education, industry, and community leaders as a regional convener and workforce partner. The university says those collaborations will shape teaching, learning, and workforce development around the needs of West Texas and the Permian Basin. It also expects the project to build institutional capacity, expand student achievement and career pathways, and support regional workforce development.