Business leaders and philanthropists Samir and Puja Kaul have gifted $3 million to the University of Michigan, establishing a permanent funding source for the Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering (MICDE), a top research hub. This contribution will create a directorship fund and rename the institute’s leadership role to the Samir and Puja Kaul Director of MICDE. The gift arrives during a transformative period in computational science, according to Karthik Duraisamy, MICDE director and engineering professor.
“This endowment arrives at a critical juncture in the evolution of computational science,” stated Duraisamy. Artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms are reshaping science and technology, and this funding will help MICDE tackle interdisciplinary challenges. The Kaul family’s donation includes $2.5 million for an endowment and $500,000 for the President’s Office to support institutional goals.
U-M President Santa J. Ono expressed gratitude, noting the gift’s potential to enhance collaboration and innovation, benefiting students and faculty. Samir Kaul, a founding partner at Khosla Ventures, focuses on investments in health and technology. Puja Kaul, a former corporate lawyer, is now an active community leader. The couple, both U-M alumni, have previously established a scholarship at the university.
Samir Kaul emphasized fostering cross-campus collaboration, hoping to attract faculty and students to engage in pioneering research. MICDE, a joint initiative of the College of Engineering, LSA, and the Office of the Vice President for Research, is a major player in computational science, with over 150 affiliated faculty and 220 students in its Ph.D. and certificate programs.
Research at MICDE addresses global challenges like environmental sustainability and infectious disease modeling. The institute recently partnered with Los Alamos National Laboratory in a $15 million project to advance computing and AI for energy and security. Arthur Lupia, interim vice president for research and innovation, highlighted the Kaul family’s support in sustaining groundbreaking work and preparing students for leadership in a digital world.
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