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Friday, November, 8

UNT Receives $3 Million Gift to Establish New Department of Data Science

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DENTON — The University of North Texas (UNT) has announced a $3 million gift from Vikas and Anuradha Sinha to support the creation of the new Department of Data Science in UNT’s College of Information. The department, named the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science, will open in January 2025. The donation will fund scholarships, professorships, research, and special initiatives within the new department.

UNT President Harrison Keller expressed gratitude for the gift, noting, “Their contributions will enable us to expand opportunities through our world-class data science program, transforming education for generations of students to come.”

Vikas Sinha, a UNT College of Information alumnus, and his wife Anuradha, have been deeply involved with the university. Dr. Sinha, a 2023 Ph.D. graduate in data science, currently serves as the Vice President of Global Customer Experience & Strategic Alliances for Broadcom’s Mainframe Software Division. Both Sinha and Anuradha are committed to advancing UNT’s data science initiatives.

The Sinha family’s $3 million donation will fund four key initiatives:

  • The Sinha Scholars Fund – A $1 million endowment for scholarships to support data science students.
  • The Sinha Professorships in Data Science – A $1 million fund to attract and retain top-tier faculty.
  • The Sinha Research Fund – A $500,000 fund to support innovative research in data science.
  • The Sinha Special Initiatives Fund – A $500,000 fund for career development and special projects.

Kinshuk, Dean of UNT’s College of Information, highlighted the far-reaching effects of the gift: “Their vision will enable us to establish a department that goes beyond what we could have ever imagined.”

This significant philanthropic gesture positions UNT to be a leader in the growing field of data science, a demand reflected both locally and globally.

Dr. Sinha emphasized that his wife, Anuradha, was instrumental in their decision. “Together, we hope to show our son, Suraj, the lasting educational impact that philanthropy can have,” he said.

The gift is expected to have a transformative impact not only on UNT but on the wider Denton and North Texas communities, as the new department will prepare students for a field experiencing rapid expansion across industries.

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