The University of South Florida announced a goal to create a college focused on the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and computing. The university aims to position the Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida as a national leader.
USF is the first university in Florida and among the first in the nation to announce plans to create a college that is completely dedicated to AI and cybersecurity.
The college’s goals would be to offer undergraduate and graduate programs based on USF’s strategic plan and the state’s Programs of Strategic Emphasis to prepare students for high-demand careers, enable faculty to conduct innovative research that leads to discoveries or technological advancements, grow partnerships, and promote ethical considerations and trust throughout society’s digital transformation.
Creating a new college would utilize USF’s existing strengths and partnerships in AI, cybersecurity, and computing, as well as its location in the Tampa Bay region, a hub for technology and defense industries. And at USF, there are about 200 faculty members currently engaged in research in related disciplines, which are seeing significant growth in funding awards. Last year, the National Science Foundation awarded over $800 million for AI-related research.
The formation of a new college is subject to continued consultation with faculty through shared governance processes and approval from the USF Board of Trustees. And in recent months, an internal task force has evaluated USF’s faculty strengths and explored opportunities to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration that will help advance USF’s academic and research excellence in AI, cybersecurity, and computing.
Adding this new college would bring together expertise currently housed across several different colleges to complement USF’s 13 existing colleges, which would remain operational and continue to be positioned for success.
KEY QUOTES:
“As AI and cybersecurity quickly evolve, the demand for professionals skilled in these areas continues to grow, along with the need for more research to better understand how to utilize powerful new technologies in ways that improve our society. Through the expertise of our faculty and our strong partnerships with the business community, the University of South Florida is strategically positioned to be a global leader in these fields.”
– USF President Rhea Law
“Establishing this college would align with USF’s strategic initiative to enhance academic and research excellence in key areas of societal need and opportunity. By building on our multidisciplinary strengths, such as health, engineering, arts and humanities, and cybersecurity, we aim to support our strategic goals of advancing student success, promoting continuous professional growth, fostering industry, government, and community partnerships, and propelling the university towards a top-25 ranking.”
– USF Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Prasant Mohapatra
