Cognizant announces three-year pledge to STEM education

BANGALORE, INDIA: Cognizant, a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process services, today announced a three year, $150,000 commitment to support university-sponsored science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Announced today at an event in College Station, Cognizant's financial commitment is part of the company's goal to further STEM education across the U.S. as part of its Making the Future initiative. Cognizant selected Texas A&M University because of its long history of excellence in STEM education.

Said Gordon Coburn, President, Cognizant:""We are proud to partner with Texas A&M University to inspire the next generation of technology leaders through robust STEM education programs. At Cognizant, we understand the critical role STEM education plays in preparing students to emerge as leaders in America's innovation economy, and we are committed to supporting STEM education to help the U.S. remain competitive in an increasingly global economy."

The university plans to use the funding to support its BioFORCE program, which is an experiential STEM outreach program of the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM) at Texas A&M that provides developmental activities to high school students to prepare them to become part of the biotechnology and biomanufacturing workforces of the state.

"Cognizant's support will strengthen our STEM education initiatives," said John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. "Texas A&M has a long and proud history of educating students in the STEM fields and this funding helps us drive our student's passion for technical learning."

In addition to its commitment to Texas A&M University, Cognizant currently provides support to child-serving non-profit organizations to help spark interest in the STEM disciplines. In 2011, Cognizant launched Making the Future, an education initiative focused on inspiring in children-particularly girls and underrepresented minorities-a passion for STEM by providing fun, hands-on learning opportunities. Making the Future includes financial, in-kind, and volunteer support to education-oriented non-profits and a college scholarship program for students pursuing the STEM fields.