The University of Texas at Arlington.
Computer Science and Engineering Industry Advisory Board

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering's Industry Advisory Board (IAB) provides a forum for communication between the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Texas at Arlington (CSE@UTA) and the commercial community.

The mission of the CSE@UTA IAB is: (1) to promote collaboration between the department and industry; (2) to provide feedback to the department to ensure that CSE@UTA is meeting industry's needs; and (3) to promote awareness of departmental activities and faculty expertise throughout industry.

The IAB consists of senior level managers and executives from corporations and other organizations located in and around the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. The board holds meetings at least twice per year. The objectives of these meetings are:

  • To assist in the development, review and implementation of short- and long- range department plans.
  • To provide feedback on matters of curriculum, research, facilities and student quality.
  • To provide Board Members with a conduit to CSE@UTA students and Alumni.
  • To facilitate the transfer of technology between CSE@UTA and industry.
  • To assist in the promotion of CSE@UTA within IAB Member organizations.
  • To assist in fundraising, equipment and facilities procurement, and recruiting.

The IAB has subcommittees that focus on specific areas and issues of importance to Board Members and the CSE Department. Currently, there are three standing subcommittees: (1) Undergraduate; (2) Graduate; and (3) Development and Fundraising. Other subcommittees can be formed to address specific issues as they arise.

Benefits of IAB Membership

IAB Members provide a valuable service to the community at large by strengthening the top Computer Science and Engineering Department in North Texas and a CSE Program rising in national prominence. In exchange, CSE@UTA IAB members receive numerous benefits including the following:

  • Corporate recognition as an IAB Member for creating awareness among CSE@UTA students, alumni, faculty and the UTA community.
  • A list of departmental research abstracts and research proposals is provided to assist in identifying collaboration and technology transfer opportunities.
  • The opportunity also exists to establish a named research laboratory to perform fundamental and applied research at CSE@UTA.
  • Reprints of CSE@UTA research publication are provided upon request.
  • IAB Members mailings include Newsletters, Seminar Announcements, Special Event Announcements, and more.

Members who contribute to the IAB Endowment Student Scholarship Fund (see below) are also entitled to the following benefits:

  • To assist in recruiting, each board member is given a copy of the 'CSE Top 20% List' that identifies the top 20% of the graduating students each semester.
  • Arrangements are available for on-campus 'Industry Forums' in order to present corporate projects of interest to CSE students, alumni and faculty.
  • Faculty will provide on-site 'Hot Topic' seminars addressing new and emerging research topics.

Membership

CSE@UTA IAB Member Organizations are represented by senior level managers and executives who have first-hand experience supervising computer scientists, computer engineers and/or technical programs with heavy emphasis on computer technologies. IAB membership is open to all corporations and organizations in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The IAB members are strongly encouraged to contribute annually to the IAB Endowment Student Scholarship Fund which is used to provide scholarships to exceptional students at CSE@UTA. Each scholarship is awarded in the name of an IAB member company that has donated to the Fund. Suggested levels of annual contribution to the Fund are as follows:

corporations with 500+ employees, $10,000;
corporations with 200- 499 employees, $6000; and
corporations with 1-199 employees, $3000.

IAB member companies are also requested to work with CSE@UTA to identify joint research projects which are aligned with industry needs. These research projects can provide a valuable framework through which technology transfer can be achieved by company and CSE@UTA alike and thus strengthen both organizations. Likewise, IAB members are encouraged to be aware of research equipment needs of CSE@UTA and to identify such equipment as it becomes available for donation within their respective companies.

All donations to CSE by IAB member companies will receive special recognition each year as a part of the Engineering Week activities held at UTA each February. All IAB Members are encouraged to attend the Awards Banquet which is held during the Engineering Week. During this banquet, IAB members or their company representatives are asked to present the IAB Scholarships in the name of their company to the CSE students who have been selected to receive these awards.

For more information about the IAB and membership, please contact Dr. Fillia Makedon, CSE@UTA Department Chairperson, at makedon@uta.edu (telephone 817-272-3605) or Dr. Marvin Applewhite, CSE@UTA Industry Liaison, at applewha@netscape.net (telephone 903-569-8787).