The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education's Economic Development Grant for the Partnership Recognition Program is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents' Economic Development Grants.

For more than nine years, a unique partnership between NOC and OGE, based in Oklahoma City, has perpetuated economic development in northern Oklahoma and has prepared the OGE workforce to compete in a highly competitive economy. Two OGE employees, Kenneth Anderson and Gilbert Hall Sr., have provided significant leadership and expertise in the formation and development of the Oklahoma Partnership of Industry and Education through NOC.

This partnership between industry and educational institutions is one of the foremost collaborative partnerships of its kind, allowing additional channels for enhancement of job performance and career opportunities.

"If we're to improve Oklahoma's future, we need creative collaborations like this program," said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. "The partnership between business and higher education benefits us three-fold: Businesses retain employees, employees improve their education and the immediate needs of the business community are being addressed."

Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses, internships for current students of the institutions to work at the partnering businesses or faculty externships with the partnering businesses. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.