A couple of Indian origin has pledged $20 million to the University of North Texas to create a new college dedicated to artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, which will focus on responsible AI development and its applications.
Washington — An Indian-origin couple, Anuradha and Vikas Sinha, has made a significant contribution of $20 million to the University of North Texas (UNT) aimed at establishing a new academic institution dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics. This initiative highlights the growing importance of educational institutions in shaping the future of technology and its ethical implications.
The newly created Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics will emphasize the development and responsible use of AI, intelligent systems, and data analytics. The university has outlined that this college will not only focus on teaching the technical skills required to utilize these technologies but also on fostering an understanding of their implications, governance, and ethical application.
Establishment of Endowments and Programs
The donation will facilitate the creation of six permanent endowments that will support various aspects of the college, including leadership, student scholarships, professorships, and entrepreneurship initiatives. This funding is expected to significantly enhance research capabilities and the development of emerging technologies at UNT.
The college will encompass a range of programs, bringing together disciplines such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, advanced analytics, health informatics, information science, library science, and learning technologies. The integration of these fields aims to foster collaborative research and industry partnerships, allowing faculty and students to work together across various domains.
“Anu and I see this as an investment in what students will be able to imagine and accomplish in the years ahead,” Vikas Sinha stated in a recent interview. He further elaborated that the college’s mission extends beyond merely instructing students on the use of AI. “It will prepare them to build it, understand it, question it, govern it, and apply it responsibly—developing both the builders and the stewards of intelligent systems.”
Division Structure and Future Plans
The college will be organized into two main academic divisions. The Division of Applied Intelligence and Informatics will concentrate on the development and deployment of intelligent systems, while the Division of Information and Learning Applications will explore the operational dynamics of information and intelligent systems within both human and institutional contexts.
In addition to the college, UNT is also planning to establish an Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Institute. This institute is intended to enhance the university’s AI and analytics research capabilities, providing a collaborative platform for interdisciplinary studies, shared resources, and partnerships with industry stakeholders.
UNT President Harrison Keller emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we work, conduct research, and solve problems, and universities have an important responsibility to help shape what comes next.” This sentiment underscores the broader role that academic institutions play in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements.
Background of the Donors
Anuradha and Vikas Sinha’s journey to the United States began after they obtained their bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering from Sri Venkateswara University in India. In pursuit of higher education, both earned graduate degrees from Florida Atlantic University. Vikas Sinha, who recently completed his Ph.D. in information science at UNT in 2023, currently serves as vice president of Broadcom’s Mainframe Software Division and has been a member of the UNT College of Information Leadership Board since 2023.
Reflecting on their philanthropic efforts, Vikas Sinha remarked, “Education has opened doors for us throughout our lives, and we want to hold those doors open for others. For us, this gift is about paying that opportunity forward and recognizing that immigrants don’t simply participate in the American dream—they help build it.”
Continuing Support for UNT
This recent donation builds upon the couple’s previous contributions to UNT, which included the establishment of the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science in 2024, along with related endowments. Additionally, in 2025, they contributed to the creation of the Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science, further demonstrating their commitment to advancing education and research in these critical fields.
Founded in 1890, the University of North Texas is a public research university located in Denton, Texas, north of Dallas, and is part of the University of North Texas System. The establishment of the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics marks a significant milestone in the university’s efforts to lead in the fields of AI and data analytics education.
