FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe has appointed Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development at the University of Arkansas, to the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority board of directors.

Rankin’s appointment is effective immediately and expires Jan. 14, 2018.

The authority was created in 1983 to encourage scientific research, technology development and math, science and engineering education.

Rankin is the chief research officer at the U of A. He oversees seven units, including the Arkansas Research Technology Park, the offices of research compliance and research and sponsored programs and Technology Ventures, the Fayetteville campus’ technology licensing office. He is also a professor of electrical engineering in the College of Engineering.

Rankin came to the university in 2010 from Ohio University, where he was associate dean for research, graduate studies and planning in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and a professor of electrical engineering.

The Arkansas Science and Technology Authority board is composed of three directors who are scientists or engineers, two directors who are representatives of academic institutions, five directors who represent the private sector, three directors who represent the private sector and have knowledge and experience in the field of manufacturing, and the director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (or the director’s designee).