Monday, March 9, 2009
IBM and UMES Launch Strategic Business Partnership Agreement
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – Innovation and technology met at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where IBM in partnership with UMES launched an “Enterprise System z” IT curriculum infusion program on Wednesday, February 25, with some 60 students in attendance.
IBM has partnered with the university to grant UMES students access to leading-edge technology, courseware and certification training programs based on open standards (both software and hardware platforms) and IBM proprietary technologies. The goal of the initiative is to provide students with the latest IT curriculum, thereby providing them with the skills to compete for lucrative (new) 21st Century job opportunities available, in the $60,000(+) range, with various IT companies nationwide and to help ensure that they are prepared to be the technology leaders of tomorrow.
The curriculum infusion initiative is designed to enhance the value of UMES business and computer science graduates in a global economy, and to position UMES to meet the challenge of providing American industry with skilled workers capable of responding to the rapid emergence of advanced technologies in the new high-performance workplace.
“We are enthusiastic about this opportunity to partner with an information technology industry leader such as IBM,” said Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, UMES president. “This unique strategic initiative will position UMES to equip students better with the knowledge and skills necessary for the challenges of America and other global societies. One of our core institutional values is to achieve such a goal.”
Beginning fall 2010 UMES will provide interdisciplinary courses in enterprise systems (mainframe) basics and system testing. After successfully completing the courses, students will be prepared for internships, co-ops or full-time opportunities within IBM as well as with other Fortune 500 companies that use IBM System z machines. In preparation for the curriculum infusion, UMES instructors have the opportunity to attend a free enterprise systems training class, hosted by IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., June 2009.
To promote System z awareness and connect students, IBM has created a System z profile on Facebook (keyword: systemz mainframe) with more than 600 friends from major corporations, universities, mainframe fans, among others. Also available on Facebook, students can join the System z on campus community for school specific events or details for learning, promoting, and building a career in IBM’s System z. For more information about IBM s Academic Initiative and enterprise computing job resources, visit http://www.ibm.com/university/systemz.
“The fastest-growing and most lucrative jobs emerging out of our new economy will require highly skilled workers with interdisciplinary skills across business, technology and social sciences,” said John Thompson, retired IBM executive, president of Mobile Collaborative Education and curriculum infusion consultant to UMES. “Industry will be seeking IT industry professionals who can develop innovative solutions while analyzing social, financial and technical impact.”
The UMES School of Business and Technology includes five academic departments: business, management and accounting; engineering and aviation sciences; hotel and restaurant management; mathematics and computer science; and technology. Academic majors within the school include: business administration, accounting, construction management, computer science, mathematics, technology education, business education, engineering, engineering technology, avi
