COMPUTER SCIENCE AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AWARDED $50,000 GOOGLE GRANT TO RESEARCH POST QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY

As part of Google’s growing efforts to support innovation in academia, the Grambling University Foundation was awarded an unrestricted gift of $50,000 to help fund research efforts being conducted by Grambling State University Computer Science and Digital Technologies Department Head Dr. Bharat Rawal.

Specifically, the funding is to be used toward Dr. Rawal’s efforts to conduct research of post quantum cryptographic systems.

“Large quantum computers have the potential to break many cryptographic systems, e.g., Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), Diffie-Hellman key exchange, and the Elliptical Curve Cryptosystem,” Dr. Rawal said. “Researchers from academia, industries and government agencies are aware of this threat and National Institutes of Standard (NIST) is preparing a set of approved encryption and signature schemes that are not susceptible to these attacks by quantum computers, the so-called Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC). The task of substituting older encryption and signature schemes raises a number of questions, to which there are not yet clear answers.”

“Our students and faculty will have an opportunity for handson experience in next-generation cryptography,” Dr. Rawal said. “This research will strengthen data privacy, reduce risks of data breaches, and increase user confidence in cloud services. This research will help GSU in developing new advanced cybersecurity courses and curriculum.”

“The major challenge with new cryptosystems is that they involve very complex mathematics with the majority of them being lattice-based algebra. In this research project, we are interested in investigating the transition to PQC and effect on existing networks, the approved PQC schemes by (NIST), and understanding the likely path to an adaptation of PQC.”

Dr. Rawal said the benefit for GSU Computer Science and Digital Technologies students comes in the fact that the study of post quantum cryptography impact on cloud security research can have a significant impact on improving the security of cloud computing environments, which are critical for businesses and individuals alike.

“Our students and faculty will have an opportunity for hands-on experience in next-generation cryptography,” Dr. Rawal said. “This research will strengthen data privacy, reduce risks of data breaches, and increase user confidence in cloud services. This research will help GSU in developing new advanced cybersecurity courses and curriculum.”

He also said funding is very important for GSU’s Department of Computer Science and Digital Technologies and could help open new doors in the research process being conducted at the university.

“Because teaching remains a main focus and we have little support and resources for research, today’s definition of teaching at higher education institutions is not only the delivery of knowledge but also creating the knowledge,” Dr. Rawal said. “This funding will support groundbreaking research in uncovering new knowledge in the Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and issue of digital certificates to safeguard confidential information, give people, devices, and applications distinct digital identities, and enable secure end-to-end interactions that are governed by public key infrastructure.”

Lsu Health Shreveport And Grambling State Sign Memorandum Of Understanding Establishing Guaranteed Interview Program With School Of Graduate Studies

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a Guaranteed Interview Program (GIP) between Louisiana State University Health Shreveport (LSUHS) School of Graduate Studies and Grambling State University (GSU) was signed at Grambling State University December 1, 2023.

The MOU represents the desire of both parties to increase the number of African American students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Louisiana who apply to the LSU Health Shreveport School of Graduate Studies. The goal is for these students to subsequently be accepted for admission and graduate with a Master of Science degree or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from one of the six doctoral programs offered at LSUHS.

“We are excited to add this partnership to the existing list of graduate schools that contribute to dynamic and enriching educational access in Louisiana for students at Grambling State University.”

“The Memorandum of Understanding with the LSU Health Shreveport School of Graduate Studies is crucial for fostering collaboration and enhancing academic opportunities for advanced degrees,” said Grambling State University President Rick Gallot. “We are excited to add this partnership to the existing list of graduate schools that contribute to dynamic and enriching educational access in Louisiana for students at Grambling State University.”

“The opportunity to pursue further graduate study in the healthcare industry area will be attractive for our undergraduate students,” said Dr. Obadiah Simmons, Interim Executive Director of the Office of Graduate Studies. “The partnership will also provide opportunities for GSU’s graduate programs to engage in collaborative ventures with LSU. We’re excited about the possibilities that await us through this partnership.”

GRAMBLING STATE POLICE DEPARTMENT AWARDED $400,000 DOJ GRANT FOR WOMEN’S SVU PROGRAM

The Grambling State University Police Department (GSUPD) was awarded a $400,000 grant to establish a comprehensive, community approach to combat domestic violence, dating, and other violence against women.

Entitled the Grambling State University (GSUPD) Special Victims Unit (SVU) for Prevention & Advocacy Program, the project will be carried out through the university’s Police Department.

The grant was one of 52 awarded from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) initiative, totaling nearly $22 million nationwide. The grant will be overseen by GSU Chief of Police Rodney Demery, who said that activities involving grant funding will begin right away.

Through the grant, GSUPD will: create a coordinated community response team to oversee all planning and implementation activities; provide prevention programming, including bystander intervention and ongoing prevention activities to all students on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; provide ongoing training to all campus law enforcement on how to effectively respond to these crimes; provide access to 24-hour confidential victim services and advocacy; and conduct ongoing training for all personnel in the campus resolution process.

Program activities through the grant will begin this month and will continue through September 2026.

GRAMBLING STATE RECEIVES HBCU NUTRITION HUB DESIGNATION, $25,000 GRANT TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY

Grambling State University (GSU) staff endeavor daily to serve the whole student. That means providing resources that serve every need, including food insecurity. The goal has become more attainable thanks to a $25,000 grant from No Kid Hungry, a national campaign overseen by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world that has recognized the institution as an HBCU Nutrition Hub.

The funding will be used to support existing food access initiatives, create sustainable solutions through collaboration, expand reach and impact, support enrollment in federal food assistance programs, and promote access to nutritious meals for children through meal programs.