Facebook is an American online social media and social networking service company. Apart from being the largest and most popular social media platform which provides many business related services, Facebook also focuses on providing education scholarships to various universities around the globe.
With the growing Artificial Intelligence and Automation trends, the world is in need of qualified individuals majoring in Computer Science. Sources claim that Facebook has invested over 4.2 million dollars to help expand Northeastern University program that prepares people to switch careers into the technology sector and earn a master’s degree in computer science. The investment will also establish similar pathways at other U.S. universities. This association of Facebook and Northeastern University, is called as “ALIGN”.
The Northeastern’s Align program will provide over 200 students with scholarships to pursue their master’s degree program in Computer Science. The recipients will mainly include women, underrepresented minorities and those who are in need of financial support. The recipients will be chosen broadly from non-computer science background, such as fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Talking about this expansion of Facebook with Northeastern University, Andrew Bosworth, the vice president at Facebook said
“Diversity is critical to the success of our industry, and our work at Facebook is no exception. We need to establish and support a workforce that’s representative of the people we aim to connect, that’s why Facebook is happy to partner with Northeastern University.”
According to Carla Brodley, dean of Northeastern’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences, Facebook’s financial support and the endorsement of three major universities confirm the success of the Align program. She also added that Align addresses critical issues related to workforce development and social equity and inclusion, bringing diverse students to in-demand and economically rewarding careers.
Stats say that over 575 students are currently enrolled in the Align program, and students who have earned their master’s degree through align since 2013 currently work at top technology companies such as Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, eBay, and Oracle.
Umayal