Approval for establishing The Arizona Center for Integrative Modeling and Simulation (ACIMS) was given by the Arizona Board of Regents in their January, 2001 meeting.

While widely applied, existing modeling and simulation (M&S) tools are, in the main, oriented toward particular applications and fail to bridge complex multidisciplinary problems. A primary goal of ACIMS is to advance the concepts, tools, and methodology of M&S so that it can make the enormous computing power on the horizon applicable to emerging problems requiring multidisciplinary solutions. For example, research in Information Technology, and specifically in Internet Technology and eCommerce, must focus on the integrated design and implementation of hardware and software at all levels of technology and application.  M&S has become the primary approach to provide the virtual environments in which such systems can be developed and tested before actually being cast into silicon chips or program code.

A second goal of ACIMS is to widely disseminate the fruits of its research and to deepen the pool of trained M&S professionals. It will seek to develop new approaches to education and training in the fundamental concepts and computer tools at all educational levels including retraining of workers. The Center’s budget will be derived from research grants and contracts, training programs, as well as the participation of government and industrial partners. A joint research and education alliance between the UA and the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command, Ft. Huachuca, AZ, will provide a funding base for the first five years. Other government, industry, and Department of Defense modeling and simulation research program are currently in place.

To indicate your interest and participation in ACIMS, please fill out the on-line questionnaire. Thank you for responding before March 10, 2001!

 Excerpt from the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) January 25-26 meeting, 2001 Minutes.