AUSTIN (January 23, 2013)--Texas A&M University promised Wednesday to increase its enrollment of students studying engineering from about 11,000 now to 25,000 by 2025.

University System Chancellor John Sharp said Wednesday that the move is in response to calls from state business leaders who need a more highly educated workforce.

Sharp said last year, 10,000 students applied for just 1,600 undergraduate engineering slots.

He said more students will help ensure the university is among the top-ranked nationwide to study engineering.

A&M President R. Bowen Loftin said the initiative means total university enrollment will eventually reach 60,000 students.

He said that would mean building more campus infrastructure and hiring additional faculty.

Loftin said the school will need extra support from the state Legislature to cover those costs, but he couldn't say how much might be needed.