About TTI-C
Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTI-C or the Institute) is a philanthropically endowed academic computer science institute, dedicated to basic research and graduate education in computer science. Its mission is to achieve international impact through world-class research and education in fundamental computer science and information technology. The Institute is distinctive to the American educational scene in its unique combination of graduate education and endowed research.
TTI-C was founded by the Toyota Technological Institute in Japan, which is a small private engineering school with an endowment provided by the Toyota Motor Corporation. TTI in Japan established TTI-C as an independent computer science institute with the intention of creating a world-class institution. We expect close collaboration between TTI-C and TTI Japan.
The Institute is supported by the earnings on a fund of $105 million. It owns $43 million of this fund as an endowment and $62 million is owned by TTI in Japan but earmarked for exclusive use by TTI-C.
TTI-C officially opened for operation in September of 2003 and three students entered its Ph.D. program in September of 2004. Nine students will be enrolled for the fall quarter. In addition, two exchange students from TTI Japan will be enrolled. It has degree granting authority in the State of Illinois and is in its candidacy stage of seeking accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. At least one degree is required to be granted before the institute is eligible to be accredited.
TTI-C offers a graduate program leading to a doctorate in computer science, and is currently focusing primarily on theoretical computer science (algorithms and complexity), machine learning (and related AI applications), programming languages (and related areas such as formal verification and security) and scientific computing (including numerical analysis, numerical optimization, and signal processing). A masters degree program is under consideration.
By the year 2010 the Institute is expected to have thirty positions consisting of twelve regular faculty (tenured and tenure-track) and eighteen limited-term (three year) research faculty. There will be twenty-four students by this date.
Both regular and research faculty receive endowment-provided research funding sufficient for equipment and normal academic travel. Research faculty are not expected to raise external funding. However, regular faculty (tenured and tenure track) are expected to eventually raise their summer salary and to support their students with external funding. Regular faculty are expected to teach only one quarter per year.
Research faculty are in non-tenure track positions and there are no teaching requirements. This is similar to a postdoctoral fellowship position but comes with endowment-provided independent research funding.
TTI-C is located in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago campus and has a close affiliation with the University of Chicago Computer Science Department. An agreement between the University of Chicago and TTI - C allows cross-listing of computer science course offerings between the two institutions, providing students from each institution the opportunity to register in the other's courses. Faculty and students enjoy full privileges of the University library system, athletic facilities and other services.