ARMONK, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IBM
(NYSE: IBM) is announcing its first IBM Quantum education
and research initiative for Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCU), aimed at driving a diverse and inclusive
quantum workforce. Led by Howard
University and 12 additional HBCUs, the IBM-HBCU Quantum
Center will offer access to its quantum computers, as well as
collaboration on academic, education, and community outreach
programs.
In addition, as part of the company's continued efforts around
diversity and inclusion, IBM will make a $100M investment in technology, assets,
resources and skills development through partnerships
with additional HBCUs through the IBM Skills Academy
Academic Initiative.
"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 be
positioned to 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.
Driving Diversity and Inclusion in Quantum
Computing
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.
"Diversity is a source of competitive advantage, essential to
create a thriving quantum industry," said Dario Gil, Director of IBM Research. "We could
not be more excited about partnering with our HBCU colleagues to
help educate and empower the first generation of quantum computing
native students and researchers."
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 Agricultural and Technical State
University, Southern University,
Texas Southern University, University of the Virgin Islands, Virginia Union University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
"Howard University has prioritized
our efforts to support our students' pathway to STEM fields for
many years with exciting results as we witness more and more
graduates becoming researchers, scientists and engineers with
renown national companies. Our faculty and students look forward to
collaborating with our peer institutions through the IBM-HBCU
Quantum Center. We're excited to share best practices and work
together to prepare students to participate in a quantum-ready
workforce," said President Wayne A. I.
Frederick, M.D., MBA.
For more about the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, read HBCU Center
Driving Diversity and Inclusion in Quantum Computing.
Investing in Under-Represented Talent to Drive
Innovation
As part of the Skills Academy Academic Initiative in Global
University Programs, a multi-year program, IBM is donating more
than $100M
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.
The HBCUs who are part of the Skills Academy Academic
Initiative include: Clark Atlanta University, Fayetteville State University, Grambling State University, Hampton University, Howard
University, Johnson C. Smith
University, Norfolk State
University, North Carolina A&T
State University, North Carolina
Central University, Southern
University System, Stillman
College, Virginia State and West
Virginia State University.
The response to combating systemic racism in the US must be
timely, strategic and more than a statement of support. The
response needs to be tangible action. IBM's investment in
HBCUs is part of the company's efforts around social justice and
racial equality by creating equitable, innovative experiences for
HBCU students to acquire the necessary skills to unlock economic
opportunity and prosperity.
To learn more about IBM's 100 years of work on diversity,
inclusion and equality in the workplace,
visit https://www.ibm.com/employment/inclusion/
Brandi Boatner
Digital Experience Manager
IBM CHQ, Communications
1-914-765-2358
bboatner@us.ibm.com
Chris Nay
External Communications
IBM Research
cnay@us.ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM