$3 million gift establishes the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science at UNT

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 - 13:36

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DENTON (UNT), Texas - The University of North Texas is proud to announce 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, set to open in January 2025, will be named the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science in recognition of their generous support, which will fund scholarships, professorships, research and special initiatives.

"We are deeply grateful for this monumental gift from Vikas and Anuradha Sinha," said UNT President Harrison Keller, Ph.D. "Their contributions will enable us to expand opportunities through our world-class data science program, transforming education for generations of students to come. Their commitment to our great university will leave a lasting legacy in the field of data science."

Vikas Sinha, Ph.D., a UNT College of Information alumnus, and his wife, Anuradha, are actively engaged with the college. He joined the College of Information Leadership Board in 2023 after completing his Ph.D. in Data Science. Dr. Sinha also serves as the Vice President of Global Customer Experience & Strategic Alliances for the Mainframe Software Division at Broadcom since 2018. Originally from India, he moved to the U.S. to further his education. Dr. Sinha earned multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. from UNT, a Master's in Predictive Analytics from Northwestern University, a Master's in Structural/Ocean Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from Sri Venkateswara University.

"The impact Vikas and Anu have had on our students is invaluable," said Kinshuk, Ph.D., Dean of UNT's College of Information. "Their vision will enable us to establish a department that goes beyond what we could have ever imagined."

The Sinha family's gift will create four cornerstone initiatives within the department:

• The Sinha Scholars Fund - A $1 million endowment dedicated to scholarships for data science students.
• The Sinha Professorships in Data Science - A $1 million fund to support top-tier faculty positions.
• The Sinha Research Fund - A $500,000 investment in groundbreaking research within the field of data science.
• The Sinha Special Initiatives Fund - A $500,000 fund for special projects and opportunities for career development and support.

[Link] From left: Anuradha "Anu" Sinha and Vikas Sinha with their son Suraj Sinha and his fiancée Sneha Thakkar

"The creation of the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science is a major milestone for the College of Information," said Brandon Buzbee, UNT Vice President for University Advancement. "This gift will position UNT as a leader in the data science field and ensure that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the growing demand for data science professionals."

Dr. Sinha emphasized the role his family played in this endeavor.

"This gift would not have been possible without my wife, Anuradha, whose unwavering support has been the backbone of our family and the driving force behind our philanthropic efforts. I am deeply grateful for the dedication and commitment of our son, Suraj, and his fiancée, Sneha, in this endeavor. It truly embodies the shared values of our family. We hope this gift will have the power to transform many lives", he said.

With this gift, the Sinha family continues to build a legacy that will shape the future of data science education at UNT and throughout the North Texas region, providing students with opportunities to excel and make meaningful contributions to their fields.