Grant to help UTSA increase graduates

(Feb. 26, 2004)--University of Texas at San Antonio College of Engineering Dean Zorica Pantic-Tanner and members of the Texas Engineering and Technical Consortium (TETC) recently met with U.S. Congressman Henry Bonilla, R-Texas, to thank him for his efforts in securing $3 million from the federal government.

TETC will receive an additional $3 million in matching funds from the State of Texas to increase the number of electrical engineering and computer science graduates from Texas universities. TETC is a collaborative program among government, industry and higher education organizations that provides funding for Technology Workforce Development grants to Texas colleges and universities with electrical engineering and computer science programs.

Pictured are (top photo) UTSA College of Engineering Dean Zorica Pantic-Tanner and Congressman Henry Bonilla and (lower photo) Kleanthis Psarris, UTSA computer science chair.

"The 34 universities and six leading employers of engineers in Texas that are members of TETC made a compelling case for federal funding, to be matched dollar-for-dollar by state and corporate contributions," said Bonilla. "I felt certain that The University of Texas at San Antonio would win its fair share of these dollars, given their significant growth in engineering enrollment and the quality of education they provide."

Established in 2001, TETC includes the Texas Higher Education Board, Texas college and university representatives and high-tech industry leaders. Since its inception, TETC has committed more than $4 million to double the number of bachelor of science graduates in electrical engineering and computer science for Texas universities within the decade.

"Representative Bonilla's commitment to the success of TETC will have a direct impact on America's ability to lead technology in the immediate future," said Pantic-Tanner. "Congress' approval of this funding demonstrates the recognition that TETC serves as an integral part of increasing engineering talent to grow the economy of the United States and keep our technological edge worldwide."

According to Kleanthis Psarris, UTSA Department of Computer Science chair, UTSA has received $313,000 and has the potential to receive additional funding totaling nearly half a million dollars. Additionally, the UTSA College of Engineering has received $50,000 in funding with a potential to double the amount.

"Texas has to double the number of degrees it produces in computer science and electrical engineering," said Psarris. "We are a big state, but in terms of population, the number of degrees we produce is 50 percent below the national average."

UTSA's funding has been directed toward improving its outreach, recruitment and retention efforts. Additonally, funding has improved curriculum and laboratory equipment and increased the number of computer science scholarships offered.

--Kris Rodriguez