About BECT Institute & South Carolina State University, SCSU

Explore how the BECT Institute and South Carolina State University are leading the way in driver safety with innovative VR training solutions.

Our Institution

About South Carolina State University

Founded in 1896, South Carolina State University is a public university located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. As a land-grant institution, SCSU is committed to providing affordable and accessible quality undergraduate and graduate education.

The university offers over 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its five academic colleges: Business and Information Systems, Education, Graduate and Professional Studies, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Transportation, and the Honors College.

SCSU is recognized for its excellence in STEM education and has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

South Carolina State University Campus

ORANGEBURG, SC

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Learn more about SCSU

Our Mission

To provide affordable and accessible quality baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral level programs that prepare students for careers in STEM fields.

Core Values

Excellence, Integrity, Leadership, Diversity, and Service are the foundational values that guide our institution.

Research Excellence

Home to cutting-edge research centers focusing on transportation, cybersecurity, and sustainable energy solutions.

BECT

About The BECT Institute

Fostering innovation, educational excellence, and community impact through collaborative partnerships

BECT Institute Research Lab

RESEARCH FACILITY

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The South Carolina State University Business, Environment, Communication & Transportation (BECT) Institute was launched in July 2022 to support SC State in providing experiential and educational opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the community in the areas of Business, Environmental Science, Communication, and the Transportation sectors.

Mission

The mission of the BECT Institute is to support South Carolina State University in building and sustaining inclusive programs that will foster innovation, educational and career opportunities for faculty, students, and the community through teaching, learning, research, and service.

Vision

The BECT Institute will become a primary resource for innovation, research, and training in South Carolina, connecting multiple economic sectors with South Carolina State University and its community.

Core Values

Our programs and experiential activities are driven by our mission. The overall success in accomplishing our mission is measured by the enhancement of our reputation among students, faculty, peers, and other stakeholders. To that end, we affirm our values of learning, collaboration, innovation, integrity, and accountability.

  • We value learning and strive to promote the professional development and career readiness of students to include technology, entrepreneurial, communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills
  • We value collaborations and partnerships with diverse stakeholders to provide positive outcomes that impact the university and the community
  • We value innovation to encourage creativity, continuous improvement, and the development of new ideas
  • We value integrity and will act ethically and transparently in all actions and decisions
  • We value accountability and take ownership of our actions and outcomes to achieve our goals and objectives

Innovation & Research

Developing an agile environment for innovation and research at SC State University

Career Readiness

Enhancing the career readiness and professional development of stakeholders.

Societal Impact

Enhancing societal impact on business, transportation and the environment through initiatives that promote prosperity and well-being within communities

Innovative Training

SMART VR Transportation Program

Enhancing road safety through cutting-edge virtual reality training for commercial drivers

About the SMART VR Transportation Program

The SMART (Strengthening Mobility And Revolutionizing Transportation) VR Transportation Program is a cutting edge initiative that revolutionizes commercial driver training through immersive virtual reality technology. Our program is designed to enhance road safety by providing realistic, hands-on training experiences in a controlled environment.

Developed by the BECT Institute at South Carolina State University, this program addresses the critical need for comprehensive, accessible, and effective commercial driver training. By simulating real-world driving scenarios, we prepare drivers to handle challenging situations safely and confidently.

Program Features

  • Realistic VR simulations of commercial driving scenarios, including hazardous weather, heavy traffic, and emergency situations
  • Comprehensive training modules covering defensive driving, fuel efficiency, and regulatory compliance
  • Detailed performance analytics and personalized feedback to improve driving skills and safety awareness
VR Training for Commercial Drivers

NEXT-GENERATION TRAINING

Revolutionizing Commercial Driver Training

Program Benefits

Enhanced Safety

Practice hazardous scenarios without real-world risks, reducing accidents and improving road safety.

Cost-Effective

Reduce training costs associated with fuel, vehicle wear, and potential accident damage.

Data-Driven Insights

Track performance metrics and identify areas for improvement with detailed analytics.