The University of North Dakota (UND) President Andrew Armacost stated Tuesday the university has properly reported foreign funds in its aviation program. He emphasized that an affiliated foundation, not UND itself, operates a Chinese pilot training program. Armacost's comments came in response to an investigation announced last week by the Department of Education and State Department. These federal agencies allege the college failed to properly report foreign gifts and contracts.
Armacost addressed the investigation at UND’s Grand Forks campus during a meeting of the Legislature’s Higher Education Institution’s Committee. He confirmed that the contracts and funding under scrutiny involve training agreements for pilots with Chinese airlines. Armacost explained that these contracts are established through the UND Aerospace Foundation. He further clarified that the training for Chinese pilots now occurs entirely in Mesa, Arizona, at a facility run by the UND Aerospace Foundation, distinct from the university.
The UND Aerospace Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at UND, according to its website. It is also responsible for managing the non-college credit pilot training program. Armacost told the committee that UND’s foreign pilots training program has a long history, dating back to 1987. He added that this program plays a role in helping UND maintain its extensive aircraft fleet, which is primarily utilized for undergraduate programs.
During the committee session, Sen. Scott Meyer, a Republican from Grand Forks, inquired whether UND would consider phasing out its involvement with China, irrespective of the legal compliance of existing contracts. Armacost indicated that as discussions continue with legislators and community members, conversations regarding the continuation of these contracts would arise.
Armacost also communicated in a letter to legislators that the Department of Education did not contact UND about its concerns before publicly announcing the investigation. In this letter, he asserted that UND had fully reported foreign funds received by the university and its affiliated organizations. The university president also informed the committee that UND is actively working to comply with a data request from the federal agency. Due to the significant volume of material requested, he mentioned that UND might need to seek an extension to the initial 30-day reporting period.
Regarding other aviation programs, Armacost confirmed that only U.S. citizens are permitted to participate in UND’s unmanned aircraft systems program. Aviation is recognized as one of UND’s premiere programs.
Scott Snyder, UND’s vice president for research and economic development, highlighted the university's strong reputation in drone technology during his remarks to the committee. Snyder noted that UND has been involved in drone work for two decades and has also conducted counter-drone work for approximately the past six years. He informed the committee that UND’s efforts in this area have garnered attention from the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, as these agencies seek to enhance their capabilities in combating drone attacks. Snyder pointed out that the country faces certain challenges when it comes to countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Armacost’s letter to legislators additionally clarified that the investigation into UND is separate from a concurrent investigation announced at the same time into Duke University.