 In the early 1970s, an "ad hoc" committee examined the special educational needs of this community.They concluded that although the two existing local universities – The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M University – had excellent academic programs, there was an urgent need for instruction at the advanced level and emphasizing applications.Southeastern Institute of Technology was then planned as a stand-alone professional school, with the purpose of meeting the special needs of this high-technology community.