Community Spotlight: Engineering Lab Dedication Celebrates Largest In-kind Gift in University of South Florida History

TAMPA – A lab inside the University South Florida College of Engineering was renamed last Friday to recognize a historic partnership with Keysight Technologies, Inc., which has resulted in 20 years of software donations to the university valued at more than $203 million. Keysight’s in-kind gift represents the largest in USF history.

During a ceremony to celebrate its 20-year partnership with Keysight, USF renamed the Center for Wireless and Microwave Information Systems (WAMI) as the Keysight Technologies Wireless Laboratory.

USF engineering students benefit directly from the gift by having access to Keysight’s EEsof EDA Advanced Design System (ADS) software, a powerful simulation tool, currently used throughout the RF/microwave and wireless industries and in research labs and universities across the world. ADS software allows students to design and predict the performance of high frequency circuits before they are built, saving both money and time.

”We are so pleased with the incredible support of Keysight,“ said Joel Momberg, CEO of the USF Foundation. ”This gift provides access to software that equips our Engineering graduates with real-world skills, making them highly sought after in the workforce.“

The College of Engineering has a long history using ADS software, first implementing the program in 1996. The software is now embedded in USF electrical engineering coursework and is installed in all computer labs.

”This long-term commitment by Keysight is a validation of the quality of the engineering program here at USF,“ said Robert H. Bishop, dean of the College of Engineering. ”Armed with this experience, our students are moving quickly into the workplace and creating the next great technological advances.“

The WAMI lab was founded 20 years ago with an equipment grant from Keysight and matching funds from the National Science Foundation. Since that time, Keysight – through its in-kind software donations – has been a top donor to USF. In kind donations are a form of charitable giving that provides goods and services instead of a cash gift.

”Keysight is dedicated to meaningful collaboration with researchers and educators around the world, ”said Todd Cutler, Vice President Keysight. ”We are proud to partner with USF to help its students and researchers become industry-ready engineers.“

The University of South Florida is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. USF is a Top 25 research university among public institutions nationwide in total research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation.

Serving over 48,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

The College of Engineering at the University of South Florida comprises six departments, serving more than 4,200 students and offers ABET-accredited undergraduate degrees in seven programs, as well as 13 master’s and nine doctoral degrees. The College has 11 major research centers and institutes, and is actively engaged in local and global research activities with foci on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology and transportation.

The USF: Unstoppable Campaign is a comprehensive fundraising effort by the University of South Florida System to celebrate the energy, vision, and future of one of the country’s most exciting and engaged universities. Our people and programs, our ideas, our research, and our solutions comprise an ambitious plan to enhance healthcare, science, technology, education, business, the arts, and global partnerships.