A new USF college focused on artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and IT are currently being approved and could occur as early as 2025.
USF is the premier institution in Florida and among the first in the country to announce its intention to create a college dedicated to AI and cybersecurity, according to a university-wide email sent Thursday by President Rhea Law.
“We can position Florida as a global leader in these areas by leveraging the collective knowledge and experience of our faculty, staff and students,” Law wrote.
An initial report on the decision will be provided in late spring, depending on the proposed college. FAQ page. It is unclear when the Board of Directors (BOT) vote will take place, but its next plenary meeting will take place on June 4.
Dean Prasant Mohapatra said USF spent time last fall exploring opportunities to improve collaboration among faculty. The disciplines of AI, cybersecurity and computer science are all of great interest to faculty, he said.
“It seemed like a good time to bring together a group of faculty to explore what this could look like at the University of South Florida,” Mohapatra said..
Some of the visions of the new college are:
- offering a range of undergraduate, graduate and and professional programs that prepare USF students for in-demand careers;
- empower faculty to conduct academic research that leads to groundbreaking discoveries and technological advances;
- develop industry partnerships and promote ethical considerations and trust throughout the world’s digital transformation.
A task force of USF faculty members concluded that a new college presents a “unique” opportunity to leverage the expertise of all three USF campuses, according to the email.
The college’s structure is still being evaluated and hiring a new dean is under discussion, according to the college plan. FAQ page.
If approved by the BOT, it would be complement USF’s 13 existing colleges.
The university will share more information as plans progress, according to the email.
