Communications of the ACM
Oracle Pledges $1.4 Billion to Support Computer Science Education in the European Union
The European Commission and DigitalEurope have launched the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, a multi-stakeholder partnership to bolster computer science and coding proficiency at all levels within Europe's workforce pipeline. In conjunction, Oracle announced a three-year investment totaling $1.4 billion in direct and in-kind support of CS education throughout the European Union member states.
Nearly 1,000 EU educational institutions currently collaborate with Oracle Academy, Oracle's flagship program in education philanthropy that brings computer science education to nearly 3.1 million students in 110 countries. As part of Oracle's pledge, Oracle Academy aims to train 1,000 additional EU educators in CS, Java, and database instruction, as well as reach students across an added 1,000 EU educational institutions over the next three years.
"Digitally skilled professionals are critical to Europe's competitiveness and capacity for innovation," says John Higgins, Director General of DigitalEurope. "Over the last ten years, we've seen the demand for workers with computer science and coding skills grow by four percent each year. Oracle's efforts to bring computer science into classrooms across the European Union will help strengthen our digital economy."
"At Oracle, we are thrilled to inspire and engage students from all different parts of the world in computer science," says Alison Derbenwick Miller, Oracle Academy vice president. "Earlier this year, Oracle made significant commitments to the White House's CS for All and Let Girls Learn initiatives. Today's announcement continues our momentum to advance digital education and increase diversity in technology fields globally."
Additionally, Oracle Academy will drive several programs during the next three years, including:
- Invite National Coalitions in the EU member states to partner with Oracle Academy in delivering computer science education to teachers and students;
- Provide new higher education curriculum in emerging technologies;
- Level Oracle Academy's entire curriculum to the European Qualifications Framework.
Oracle's commitment is an extension of its pledge in 2013, which trained and empowered 1,246 EU educators to teach computer science, as well as added 203 EU educational institutions to Oracle Academy.
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