12/10/2012 12:00:00 AM storyUNT has created strong links between industry and academia through the National Science Foundation Net-Centric Software and Systems Industry/University Cooperative Research Center housed in the College of Engineering. The center earned a 2012 Tech Titan of the Future award from the Metroplex Technology Business Council for being a leading institution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area encouraging students to choose engineering and technology-related career paths. Since 2009, the center has given UNT students access to industry-driven research and real-world learning opportunities. The center, directed by Krishna Kavi, professor of computer science and engineering, is a joint venture between academic, government and commercial institutions. In addition to being the lead university for the Net-Centric Software and Systems I/UCRC, UNT is home to two sites of other I/UCRCs — the Center for Advanced Non-Ferrous Structural Alloys and the Center for Friction Stir Processing.