UTSA receives $5 million federal grant for tech-security center
(Dec. 31, 2001) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a
$2.5 million grant from the federal government for the Center for Infrastructure
Assurance and Security (CIAS) as the result of a recent vote by the Conference
Committee. CIAS is designed to leverage San Antonio's infrastructure and assurance
strengths (IAS) as part of the solution to the nation's homeland defense needs
and deficit of IAS talent and resources.
"This is a major vote of confidence for our effort to strengthen the
technology sectors of San Antonio for the benefit of everyone in our country,”
said UTSA President Ricardo Romo. "Not only is this especially
relevant because of Sept. 11, the CIAS dovetails well with partnerships already
under way between UTSA, local military bases and technology companies to make
San Antonio the home of Texas' newest top tier-one research university."
Leaders in private industry, the government and education have created a blueprint
for developing a multiple-entry, multiple-exit pipeline for IAS talent anchored
around the CAIS at UTSA, Romo added. The center's initial research will focus
on state/regional infrastructure protection issues working in collaboration
with state agencies.
Under the leadership of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, the defense
appropriation bill that passed the U.S. Senate last week contained $5 million
for the CIAS at UTSA. Supporters of the bill in the House of Representatives
include Ciro Rodriguez, Lamar Smith, Henry Bonilla and
Charlie Gonzalez.
Provided President Bush signs the bill, the center will move forward with
several projects including the development of lab facilities at the UTSA's
1604 Campus and the Air Intelligence Agency at Lackland AFB. "We feel
very confident the funding will be supported by the President," said
Joe Sanchez, technical adviser for the 690th Information Operations
Group at the Air Intelligence Agency.
Already, the CIAS program has helped UTSA develop a minor in infrastructure
assurance. In the near future, the university will work to increase the number
of related doctoral programs, including a Ph.D. in infrastructure assurance.
UTSA recently received approval to build an $83.7 million science facility
at the 1604 Campus to support science and engineering programs. This will
be the largest science facility to be built at a public institution in Texas.
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UTSA receives $5 million federal grant for tech-security center
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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2001