The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida is pleased to announce a $3 million collaboration with Citi, a global powerhouse in financial services.
This $3 million agreement between UF and Citi will bolster engineering education, research, and professional development for students and faculty in UF’s Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department. Among the highlights, this collaboration will establish a new endowed professorship in advanced technologies.
“Our collaboration with Citi represents a cutting-edge initiative in the financial services space to drive innovation, advance cutting-edge research, and foster workforce development. It is uniquely positioned to leverage the strengths of both institutions — the University of Florida and Citi — creating new opportunities in information technologies, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. Together, UF and Citi are forging a new path for strategic research relationships, potentially reshaping future industry-academia collaborations,” noted ECE chair Mark Tehranipoor, Ph.D.
Key highlights of this collaboration include:
- Innovative Research Initiatives: This investment will launch up to fifteen cutting-edge research projects over four years.
- Empowering Future Leaders: The relationship establishes the Citi Student Scholars program at UF, which will spotlight 10 outstanding undergraduate research fellows each year.
- Elite Recruitment Opportunities: Citi will serve as the premier sponsor of Fall and Spring Career Fairs within the college.
- Curriculum Innovations: The collaboration will sponsor webinars, technical talks, and specialized classes and labs.
- Championing Faculty Excellence: The Citi Endowed Professorship in Advanced Technologies has named renowned ECE professor and researcher Christophe Bobda, Ph.D., for the professorship.
“We are proud to partner with Citi in a collaboration that will significantly enhance our educational and research endeavors,” said Forrest Masters, Ph.D., interim dean for the college. “This collaboration will equip our students and faculty with vital resources and opportunities, further solidifying the college’s reputation as a leader in innovative research and professional growth.”
The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of engineers and leaders who will drive technological innovation. This exciting collaboration with Citi is a testament to UF’s strong track record of working with industry leaders. With this enhanced access to Citi’s expertise and resources, the college is poised to elevate the quality of education and research within ECE and across the UF engineering community.
Shadman Zafar, Citi Co-Chief Information Officer, echoes Master’s sentiment: “UF continues to be an important source of strong engineering talent for Citi. We are incredibly excited by how this collaboration will help develop the next generation of tech talent for the financial services industry and accelerate innovation in our engineering work, while also benefitting the academic community.” Citi, a leader in global financial services, is renowned for its unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. With a broad array of financial products and services, Citi is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals and fostering progress in the communities they proudly serve.