iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The University of San Diego has appointed an Indian-origin associate professor as the Chair of its Computer Science Department.
Nikhil Yadav, PhD, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Computer Science department at the University of San Diego’s (USD) Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, effective January 1, 2025. This promotion comes shortly after Dr. Yadav joined USD as an associate professor in the Fall of 2024, bringing expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
“In the rapidly evolving landscape of computer science, we need a leader who not only understands what it is to be on the cutting edge but someone who helps to shape it. Nikhil has an immense ability to bridge theoretical foundations with practical applications, inspiring students and colleagues. With him at the helm, I’m confident we’ll continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in this digital age,” said Dean Chell Roberts.
“I was inspired to take on this role as an opportunity to drive this forward by empowering my colleagues, supporting innovation, collaborative teaching and research. It is also inspiring to be a part of the student’s academic journey, ensuring that they are equipped for challenges in the real world while receiving a world-class education. My vision for the department is to elevate our national footprint and reputation in computer science education and innovation. This can be achieved through experiential learning experiences and strategic industry partnerships. I want to help us achieve this by promoting a culture of inclusivity and academic programs with a long-term vision of what the future of work will demand of graduating computer science professionals. A goal towards meeting this would be to create an environment of agile adaptability for faculty and students to thrive in the rapidly evolving knowledge landscape in our field.”
Yadav believes that innovation and entrepreneurship are best served by encouraging students to take risks and celebrate research exploration and experimentation. “This culture is best established through industry partnerships and connecting faculty and students to startup accelerators, venture capitalists, and corporate research initiatives. There are various opportunities on campus including TECh (Torero Entrepreneurship Challenge), which gives students the opportunity to pitch their ideas and prototypes to the right audience. I would also like to point students to resources on campus for tech commercialization, intellectual property, and startup management — this could be in the form of existing courses or a newer curriculum we can integrate focused on engineering entrepreneurship. Finally, I would like to ensure that novel ideas are nurtured and supported through student innovation challenges, hackathons, faculty seed grants, and open forums,” he said.
Before joining USD, he facilitated ABET accreditation at St. John’s University in New York. ABET accreditation is part of USD’s vision for the department. “ABET serves as a benchmark for academic excellence, ensures industry alignment, and enhances our graduates’ career opportunities. This will lift the department’s reputation, making our programs more attractive to prospective students, employers, and funding agencies. ABET accreditation provides a valuable opportunity for continuous improvement by encouraging regular curriculum assessment, faculty development, and alumni and industry engagement. Pursuing this aligns with my ultimate vision to keep our programs cutting edge, world-class and produce highly skilled and in-demand graduates in computer science,” Yadav added.
