DENTON, Texas – The University of North Texas (UNT) has announced the creation of a new College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics, made possible by a significant $20 million donation from Indian-origin couple Anuradha and Vikas Sinha. The institution will be named the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics.
University officials state that the new college is envisioned as a central academic and research hub, focusing on critical areas such as artificial intelligence, intelligent systems, data analytics, cybersecurity, health informatics, and learning technologies.
A Vision for the Future of AI
Vikas Sinha, a vice president at Broadcom's Mainframe Software Division and a 2023 doctoral graduate of UNT, emphasized the pivotal role of AI in shaping the future. He underscored the responsibility of universities to prepare individuals who will lead this technological evolution.
“Artificial intelligence will be one of the defining technologies of our generation, and universities have an essential role to play in preparing the people who will shape its future,” Sinha stated.
Sinha also linked the donation to the couple's personal journey as immigrants in the United States, expressing their intent to provide future students with opportunities akin to those they received. “This gift is about paying that opportunity forward and recognising that immigrants don’t simply participate in the American dream; they help build it,” he added.
Transformative Impact of the Donation
The $20 million gift will establish six permanent endowments designed to bolster various facets of the new college. These endowments will fund student scholarships, endowed professorships, college leadership positions, entrepreneurship initiatives, advanced research projects, and emerging technologies.
The Sinha College will comprise two academic divisions: Applied Intelligence and Informatics, and Information and Learning Applications. It will also house the Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Institute, an entity specifically designed to foster industry partnerships and promote collaborative research across the university.
Aligning with UNT's Strategic Goals
UNT President Harrison Keller noted that the new college aligns with the university's “Look North: UNT 2030” strategic initiative. This initiative is geared towards adapting higher education to evolving labor market demands and accelerating interdisciplinary innovation.
This is not the first time the Sinhas have supported UNT's data science endeavors. They previously funded the university's Department of Data Science in 2024 and the Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science in 2025. The couple, who immigrated from India, will be formally honored by UNT at a campus celebration later this year.