Florida A&M University and Florida State University are partnering up to bridge the gap between workforce needs and the type of degrees students are earning.
The two schools will split a state-issued $3 million grant to focus on improving the information technology workforce in North Florida.
The awards were issued by the state university system governing board to 11 colleges and universities that will split a total of $15 million. All participating schools will have to spend the money by the end of the upcoming school year. They’ll also have to submit reports on the outcome of their projects, including the number of graduates entering the field the schools have chosen to focus on.
For FAMU and FSU, that field is computer science and information technology. The universities share an engineering school and also run computer information degree programs.
FAMU plans to use its share of the dollars to shore up its curriculum and hire faculty in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. FSU wants to foster more partnerships with local high schools and community colleges. Both institutions also plan to establish more partnerships with companies to help their graduates get jobs.
