Contact: Anthony de Bruyn, (512) 499-4363

Date: September 16, 2005

UT System News Release

Associate Vice Chancellor for Research is Appointed

AUSTIN – Arjuna Sanga has been named to the newly created position of associate vice chancellor for research at The University of Texas System. In his new position, Sanga will provide innovative and strategic leadership, coordination and facilitation of major technology transfer initiatives and policy. His duties will include developing and implementing strategies to expand and enhance research funding to the UT System’s 15 institutions. The appointment is effective October 3.

UT System institutions conduct the majority of university research activities in the state. In fiscal year 2003, the UT System had $1.45 billion in total research expenditures, one-third of which was academic in nature and two-thirds of which was health related. Of this amount, $887.8 million came from federal sources, $214.9 million from State of Texas resources, and $347.6 million from the private sector. According to the National Science Foundation, Texas ranked third among states receiving federal research and development grants in 2002 – behind California and New York, respectively.

“We are delighted to welcome Arjun Sanga to the UT System,” said Robert E. Barnhill, vice chancellor for research and technology transfer. “He will strengthen the tremendous entrepreneurial drive that already exists in Austin and in Texas. His appointment will help us realize the aspirations of all of us who want the UT System’s world-class research used to produce world-class technologies.”

“Mr. Sanga has been an integral player in the University of Kansas’ success in increasing research rates to one of the highest in the nation,” said Pike Powers, Austin attorney and longtime advocate of Texas technological initiatives. “His appointment shows a strong commitment by the UT System to working with Texas’ technology entrepreneurial community. The Austin business community welcomes him.”

Sanga is currently corporate counsel for the University of Kansas Center for Research (KUCR). While there, he has provided advice for the full range of university research issues, working on personnel, technology transfers and intellectual property compliance. At KUCR, he has also worked with researchers, faculty and administrators on a wide variety of legal issues.

Sanga received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with an emphasis in chemistry and computer science from the University of Washington and a doctorate of law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. He is a registered patent attorney who has worked at KUCR on intellectual property and technology transfer challenges facing researchers and universities, including research contracts and license agreements.

The UT System is one of the nation's largest higher education systems with 15 campuses, including nine academic and six health institutions, and an annual operating budget of $9.6 billion (FY 2006). Student enrollment is projected to exceed 185,000 in the 2005 academic year. The UT System confers one-third of the state's undergraduate degrees and educates three-fourths of Texas health care professionals. With more than 76,000 employees, the UT System is one of the largest employers in Texas.