UW Expands Partnership with Microsoft on Emerging Tech Hub
The University of Washington and Microsoft have strengthened their long-standing partnership by opening UW's first permanent location on Microsoft's Redmond campus. The new site will become the home of the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX), an interdisciplinary engineering and business institute focused on emerging technology. Microsoft is supporting the location with a $42 million in-kind contribution, providing a 48,500-square-foot facility to UW through a rent-free lease.
The space includes six classrooms, prototyping facilities, a distance-learning studio, specialized laboratories, workshops, and collaboration areas. The arrangement allows a UW academic unit to be directly on Microsoft's corporate campus while maintaining the university's academic independence. UW and Microsoft intend for the location to serve as a center for applied education and research involving artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging technologies.
Microsoft launched GIX in 2017 with foundational support, providing over $10 million in funding and approximately $60 million of in-kind facility improvements and lease payments at its prior Bellevue location between 2017 and 2023. The program supports more than 150 students annually through its Master of Science in Technology Innovation and professional development programs.
Robert Jones, President of the University of Washington, stated that this new chapter in the partnership is 'an innovative and novel approach to educating adaptable, ethical leaders, creators and problem solvers.' Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, emphasized that GIX's new headquarters on Microsoft's Redmond campus will bring together world-class research, cutting-edge industry expertise, and the next generation of talent.