Indian American Couple Gives $20 Million to UNT to Create College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics: Indian American philanthropists Anuradha and Vikas Sinha have committed a $20 million gift to the University of North Texas (UNT) to accelerate the university’s work in artificial intelligence and advanced analytics.
In recognition of the landmark contribution, UNT will establish the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics, creating an academic hub dedicated to the development, application and responsible use of artificial intelligence, intelligent systems and data analytics.
The gift will establish six permanent endowments supporting college leadership, student scholarships, endowed professorships, entrepreneurship and incubation, advanced research and emerging technologies. The investments are designed to strengthen UNT’s research and innovation capabilities while preparing students for a workforce increasingly shaped by AI and data.
Preparing the Next Generation of AI Leaders
Vikas Sinha, who earned his Ph.D. in information science with a concentration in data science from UNT in 2023, said the couple views the contribution as an investment in what future students will be able to achieve.
“Artificial intelligence will be one of the defining technologies of our generation,” Sinha said, stressing the importance of universities preparing people who can build, understand, question, govern and responsibly apply intelligent systems.
The new college will bring together expertise and programmes spanning artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, advanced data analytics, health informatics, information science, library science and learning technologies.
It will also operate as a university-wide centre for AI and analytics research and education, connecting students and faculty across disciplines through shared infrastructure, collaborative research opportunities and industry partnerships.
Two Academic Divisions and a New AI Institute
The college is being organised around two complementary academic divisions.
The Division of Applied Intelligence and Informatics will focus on developing and deploying intelligent systems, with work spanning AI, cybersecurity, data science, advanced analytics and health informatics.
The Division of Information and Learning Applications will examine how information and intelligent systems operate within human and institutional environments, including information science, library science and learning technologies.
UNT will also establish the Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Institute, which will connect AI and analytics research and education across the university while creating opportunities for interdisciplinary research, external funding and industry partnerships.
UNT Seeks to Strengthen Texas AI Research
UNT President Harrison Keller, Ph.D., said the new college positions the university to play a leading role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we work, conduct research and solve problems,” Keller said, adding that the college will create new opportunities for students and faculty to build, study and apply emerging technologies.
The university also expects the new institute to strengthen its ability to compete for research funding and expand its research enterprise at a time of significant investment in Texas public research universities. UNT is eligible for support through the Texas University Fund, allowing philanthropic contributions to be combined with public research investment.
From Indian Students to American Philanthropists
The $20 million commitment builds on the Sinhas’ longstanding relationship with UNT and their personal experience as international students who came to the United States from India.
Both Anuradha and Vikas earned bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering from Sri Venkateswara University before pursuing graduate education in the United States. They both earned graduate degrees from Florida Atlantic University, while Vikas later studied at Northwestern University before completing his Ph.D. at UNT in 2023.
Vikas Sinha now serves as vice president of the Mainframe Software Division at Broadcom and has been a member of the UNT College of Information Leadership Board since 2023.
Their philanthropic relationship with UNT has grown significantly in recent years. In 2024, the couple established the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science, along with endowments for scholarships, faculty, research and special initiatives. In 2025, they made another major contribution to create the Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science.
“Paying the Opportunity Forward”
For the Sinhas, the latest gift reflects their belief in the transformative power of education and the opportunities they received as immigrants to America.
“Education has opened doors for us throughout our lives, and we want to hold those doors open for others,” Vikas said.
He added that his experience as an international student influenced the couple’s decision to invest in future generations.
“Immigrants don’t simply participate in the American dream — they help build it.”
UNT President Keller similarly highlighted the broader contribution of international students, noting that they bring ideas, create companies and jobs, lead communities and generate opportunities for future generations.
Building a Lasting Legacy
UNT Vice President for University Advancement Brandon Buzbee described the gift as an extension of the Sinhas’ growing vision for the university.
The new college will give future students and researchers a dedicated institutional platform from which to study emerging technologies, conduct advanced research, develop businesses and explore the social and ethical dimensions of AI.
UNT plans to mark the milestone with a university celebration later in 2026, bringing together the Sinha family, students, faculty, university leaders and members of the community.
The $20 million investment represents a major new chapter for UNT — and a powerful example of how the success of Indian immigrants in America can be transformed into educational opportunities for the next generation.
