NEWS RELEASE
Clark Atlanta University is one of 13 schools that will benefit from IBM’s first Quantum Education and Research initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The IBM-HBCU Center will offer access to its quantum computers, as well as collaboration on academic, education and community outreach programs.
The project, which was announced in mid-September, aims to drive a diverse and inclusive quantum workforce.
“This is an amazing opportunity for Clark Atlanta University students. I appreciate IBM for taking innovative steps to engage tech students from CAU and other historically black colleges and universities. Today our world and technology is quickly evolving and our talented students have proven themselves to be innovators and qualified to be included in the pipeline of next generation tech leaders, CAU President Dr. George T. French Jr. said.
“We believe that in order to expand opportunity for diverse populations, we need a diverse talent pipeline of the next generation of tech leaders from HBCUs. Diversity and inclusion is what fuels innovation and students from HBCUs will play a significant part of what will drive innovations for the future like quantum computing, cloud and artificial intelligence said Carla Grant Pickens, Chief Global Diversity & Inclusion Officer, IBM.
The IBM-HBCU Quantum Center is a multi-year investment designed to prepare and develop talent at HBCUs from all STEM disciplines for the quantum future. It will emphasize the power of community and focus on developing students through support and funding for research opportunities, curriculum development, workforce advocacy, and special projects.
The 13 HBCUs intending to participate in the Quantum Center were prioritized based on their research and education focus in physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and other STEM fields. They include: Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Coppin State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T, Southern University, Texas Southern University, University of the Virgin Islands, Virginia Union University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
In addition, as part of its Skills Academy Academic Initiative in Global University Programs, IBM is donating more than $100 million in assets, including university guests lectures, curriculum content, digital badges, software and faculty training to select HBCUs by the end of 2020. The IBM Skills Academy is a comprehensive, integrated program designed to create a foundation of diverse and high demand skill sets that directly correlate to what students will need in the workplace. The learning tracks address topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, design thinking and quantum computing.
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