What are the unintended consequences of cutting funding to research programs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks? As the UA Board of Regents met to discuss a path forward, this question was on my mind. I work for Fugro, a geo-data specialist company that has been involved in some of the state’s most important resource development and infrastructure projects over the past four decades. We also routinely partner with the university on research programs that apply cutting-edge technologies to Arctic-specific needs on topics as varied as benthic habitat mapping, sea-ice thickness mapping and hydrocarbon seafloor seeps.
As an international organization, Fugro works with top universities all over the world. We choose to team with researchers from UAF because they are experts in their fields and because we feel strongly about building up the communities where we live and work. Supporting science programs here in Alaska benefits our company, our industry and our state. It is my sincere hope that the governor’s budget vetoes will be modified appropriately so that companies like Fugro can continue to work with scientists in Alaska to improve Arctic knowledge for a safe and sustainable future.
— Rada Khadjinova
Anchorage
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