The University of North Texas announced Tuesday that it will establish a dedicated college for artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, backed by a transformative $20 million philanthropic contribution.

The donation comes from UNT alumnus Vikas Sinha—vice president of Broadcom’s mainframe software division—and his wife, Anuradha. University leadership stated the new academic institution will accelerate advanced AI research and equip students with high-demand competencies for an evolving digital economy.

Sinha noted that universities carry a crucial responsibility in preparing the talent destined to guide modern technology. He emphasized that the institution aims to train students not merely to adopt AI tools, but to architect, evaluate, regulate, and ethically deploy intelligent systems.

Academic Structure and Endowments

The new college, named in honor of the donors, will feature two primary academic branches alongside an applied research institute:

• Intelligent Systems Division: Dedicated to core technical disciplines, including machine learning, cybersecurity, and data science.
• Human and Institutional Systems Division: Centered on societal integration, information systems, and library science.
• Applied AI and Data Science Institute: Designed to conduct research tailored to regional business demands and emerging industrial trends.

The funding establishes six specialized endowments to support administrative leadership, professorships, academic scholarships, entrepreneurial initiatives, and advanced technical research.

The gift marks the couple’s third major contribution to the university. The Sinhas previously donated $3 million to launch UNT’s Department of Data Science in 2024, followed by a $2 million commitment in 2025 to create a data science innovation lab. Vikas Sinha completed his doctorate in data science at UNT in 2023 and continues to serve as an institutional research adviser and advisory board member.

Institutional Expansion Amid Enrollment Shifts

The initiative follows the UNT Board of Regents’ approval of an undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence earlier this year, placing UNT among the first institutions in Texas to offer the specialized major. Currently administered under the College of Engineering, officials have not yet specified whether the bachelor’s program will transition into the new college, which joins UNT’s network of 14 existing colleges and schools.

Both donors, originally from India, described the contribution as an investment in American higher education from the perspective of former international scholars. UNT President Harrison Keller highlighted their path, pointing out that foreign students frequently generate regional economic value, launch enterprises, and foster opportunities long after completing their studies.

The expansion arrives during a challenging period for foreign student recruitment nationwide. Tighter federal visa regulations and stay limitations reduced UNT’s international graduate student enrollment from roughly 6,200 in fall 2024 to approximately 3,400 in fall 2025, a contraction that triggered budget constraints and administrative cost reductions over the past year.