Facilities

UC Irvine Receives $30 Million for Convergent Engineering and Science Building

• By Sri Ravipati
• 04/25/17

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) wants to increase its output of large-scale, collaborative and cross-disciplinary research in engineering, computing and physical sciences. The institution plans to build a state-of-the-art convergent engineering and science facility with a $30 million from the Samueli Foundation.

The donation will be combined with $40 million from UCI’s funds and $50 million in state money, adding up to a total budget of $120 million for the up-to-100,000-square-foot facility, according to the announcement. Construction could begin this fall and be completed in three years.

“In our strategic plan, we promised growth that makes a difference, and we recommitted ourselves to engaging in the kind of innovative research that could drive regional entrepreneurship and economic development,” Chancellor Howard Gillman said in the statement. “This new facility is essential to accomplish these priorities, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to life.”

Gillman noted that the Samueli Foundation’s gift will serve as “a catalyst for accelerating cross-disciplinary research and scientific innovations that benefit society.” Such research ranges from developing chemical and material sensors to better diagnose and treat cancer to solving cybersecurity challenges, the statement said.

Henry Samueli, co-founder of semiconductor corporation Broadcom and distinguished adjunct professor at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at UCI, said that he and his wife, Susan, “are deeply committed to supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels along the learning pipeline, from kindergarten through higher education.”

Henry and Susan Samueli have been longtime supporters of UCI, having previously donated $20 million to the engineering school in 1999 and making other donations across UCI. In addition to its gift to UCI, the Samueli Foundation donated $20 million to the University of California, Los Angeles to support engineering undergraduate scholarships and internships.