December 7, 2012
The Department of Computer Science has milestones in its growth that mark moments of unusual significance. We are approaching just such a milestone. [...] I am distinctly happy to report that by this time next month, our doors will be open, and UTCS will have all of its faculty, staff, and students under a single roof for the first time in the department’s history.
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Qualcomm, a long-time supporter of UTCS, steps forward to make an $80,000 commitment to a Computer Science excellence fund. In recognition of its contribution, the Board of Regents agreed to name the coffee shop in the new Bill & Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex, “The Qualcomm Café.”
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In less than a month, the fences come down and UT Computer Science will be handed the keys to its new home—The Bill and Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex and Dell Computer Science Hall. [...] philanthropy’s importance has moved well beyond large capital projects like this one; it is now central to everything we do.
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Competition for top students is at an all-time high, and state support is at an all-time low. Some alumni are stepping in to fill the gap and challenging others to do the same.
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UTCS develops a new, flexible curriculum in response to an expanding field of study and explosive enrollment growth that many are referring to as a new Sputnik moment.
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The gaming industry is one of the fastest growing intersections of entertainment, art, and technology. Austin alone produces more than $1 billion in gaming centered economic impact and houses in excess of 100 gaming studios. Arguably, a world-class game development program that can support and take advantage of the Austin game scene is both natural and overdue.
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“Information is power.” As a result, business leaders constantly seek better information to give them a competitive edge and help them manage their businesses. In a company like GM, much of that responsibility falls in the hands of its IT department. As such, GM is creating Innovation Centers to gather the brightest minds to build information solutions.
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