UB President Satish Tripathi delivered his 13th annual State of the University Address at Lippes Concert Hall on Friday, discussing UB’s increased investments in international research and outreach programs and developments in artificial intelligence.
Tripathi said sponsored research expenditures rose from $201 million in 2022 to $249 million over the last two years. UB established research and academic partnerships in Vietnam, South Korea, India and the West Indies.
“If you drop a pin just about anywhere on the map, Greenland, Peru or South Africa, you will find our scholars designing complexities, shaping policies and activating party collective growth,” Tripathi said.
Tripathi praised the university’s international involvement in education, sharing that UB has accepted students from 109 countries for the 2024-2025 academic year and celebrated the 20th anniversary of its undergraduate programs at the Singapore Institute of Management last July.
UB’s president then turned to the university’s development of artificial intelligence (AI), referring to UB as an “international AI powerhouse,” referencing the Department of Education’s $10 million grant to establish the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI program and a $40 million fund, awarded through the CHIPS and Science Act, to expand semiconductor manufacturing.
UB is determined to provide for the “ongoing resurgence of Western New York,” Tripathi said. He claimed that the university supported over 1,400 industrial partnerships and created 1,700 jobs.
“You will be embarked on one of the most significant periods of growth and marginalization in our district,” Tripathi said.
Tripathi spoke of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s visit to UB Friday morning, where she announced that UB’s Empire AI consortium will begin research this fall, six months after a $400 million budget was proposed.
“The game-changing initiative will enable us to tap the full power of AI to solve complexities facing our state, nation, and more,” said Tripathi. “It will help us build tomorrow's workforce and expand business and industries in our region and state.”
Tripathi said more than $1.64 billion will go into renovating “innovative research buildings for students,” including UB's Foster and Parker Hall and the construction of Russell L. Agrusa Hall. Tripathi announced that the Boldly Buffalo campaign - the largest fundraising campaign in UB and SUNY history - has been closed after raising $1.1 billion, which surpassed its expected goal a year early.
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