A New Frontier Opens for PCOB’s Graduate Programs

Pamplin’s Northern Virginia operations housed in the Washington D.C. metro area opened its doors officially on Friday, February 28th as part of the Grand Opening of the Innovation Campus Academic Building One (ICAB1).  The academic base for several of Pamplin’s graduate programs occupies the fourth floor of the 300,000 square-foot, 11-story high-tech facility where graduate students -- in person and online – will be provided the skills and knowledge that will help catapult their careers in the digital and data-driven business environment. 

With spectacular views of the Washington DC area, the Alexandria-based ICAB1 also houses graduate programs in computer science, and computer engineering.  The co-location of these disciplines will now foster greater collaboration among academia, industry and government. In addition to the various graduate programs available in Blacksburg, ICAB1 will host several of Pamplin’s graduate offerings, such as the MBA Programs, the MIT program, the MSBA-HTM program, and the Executive PhD program. 

“For technological innovation to flourish, be sustainable, and be scalable, leaders in technologically based companies need to have a strong business foundation,” says Dean Sarker. “And the same is true for business leaders who must be fluent in data-driven information that can be reliably and responsibly turned into a business decision.”  The building is specifically designed to encourage these types of transdisciplinary interactions, collaborations, and project-based research that will spark innovation and amplify the region’s tech and business ecosystem with benefits to the private and public sector.  

To complement the Grand Opening, a special exhibit was produced to highlight several aspects of Pamplin’s high-tech, digitally based curriculum and research. Videos and wall-sized installations featured several data-driven projects and initiatives, including AI research in real estate, capstone projects from the Center of Business Analytics, the Voices of Privacy webcast, and the recent CodeFest, a collaboration between VT and Marriott International hosted by the PCOB last fall. Further, a visual description of the University’s Tech Talent Pipeline Program which is designed to attract, nurture, and engage leaders for tech-related roles, ensuring a steady supply of qualified talent for tech-driven businesses.

Also on view was a high-tech fusion of marketing, computer science and architecture showcasing how Ut Prosim can have a place at the intersection of business and technology. The installation, entitled “AI and Accessibility” told -- through posters, 3-D artifacts, and videos -- how the visually impaired could be assisted by AI-based technology to both navigate space and identify objects in their surroundings.  Visitors were given the opportunity to wear special glasses, provided by Meta and programmed by VT students to work with an iPhone, to assist visually impaired people to navigate as well as get a detailed description of their immediate environment.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of PCOB’s Masters in Information Technology (VT-MIT) and there was special acknowledgement of this milestone with snapshots of program alumni who have used their Pamplin-inspired talents to advance their careers and contributions to business.  

“Virginia Tech’s Master of Information Technology program has been at the intersection of business and technology for over two decades,” said Parviz Ghandforoush, the program’s executive director. “By expanding to the Innovation Campus in Alexandria, Virginia, we remain committed to preparing workforce-ready graduates with the expertise to harness data, integrate AI responsibly, and drive business transformation.”

In keeping with the vision of #OnePamplin, three master’s programs will be conducted at Pamplin’s Blacksburg campus. 

“Our presence in the DC metro area marks an important and historic moment in the evolution of the College,” said Dean Sarker. “There may be other business schools in the area, but we are the only one with “Tech” in our name:  Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business.”