It has only been two weeks since the IBM Services Center of Baton Rouge’s ceremonial groundbreaking, but the globally integrated technology and consulting company already has major plans to expand programs at the University.
Over the next 10 years, Louisiana will provide $14 million for the IBM project to expand higher education programs designed to increase the number of annual computer science graduates.
Sixty-five percent of those funds go toward expanding the University’s computer science division of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
With this money, the University plans to double its computer science faculty and triple the number of computer science graduates in five years, which will place the University’s computer science program among the top 10 to 15 programs nationally for the number of bachelor’s degrees in computer science awarded annually, according to a University news release.
To expedite growth, the University’s College of Engineering will launch the “Geaux Digital Louisiana” consortium. As a statewide partnership, Geaux Digital Louisiana will engage high schools, community and technical colleges and other universities to promote interest in computer science-related career fields and to enhance student recruitment.
“LSU is excited to work with Louisiana Economic Development and IBM on a partnership that is bringing new educational and job opportunities to our state,” LSU President F. King Alexander said in a news release. “LSU is committed to having a top computer science program, and welcomes students to take advantage of the opportunities offered through the Geaux Digital partnership and the LSU College of Engineering.” IBM will work closely with University professors to create coursework focused on technology and math and software development.
IBM also aims to equip students to meet the growing demand for business services in advanced analytics.
The company’s Baton Rouge operation develops software applications and other business solutions for domestic customers. In addition, IBM represents the largest software development project in Louisiana.
According to Louisiana Economic Development, this project, which will be completed in mid-2015, will create more than 1,300 new permanent jobs in the Capital Region.
“This historic new technology center operated by IBM will pioneer new innovation and software development right here in Baton Rouge,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said in a news release. “The IBM Services Center will create quality technology career opportunities, allowing us to retain our best and brightest students here at home while also further growing our economy.”