PITT'S COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AWARDED PENNSYLVANIA 'LINK-TO-LEARN' GRANT

PITTSBURGH, April 19 -- A shortage of qualified information technology (IT) professionals could derail Pennsylvania's—and the region's—hopes of a rejuvenated economy, but a state grant to the University of Pittsburgh aims to forestall that shortage.

Pitt's Computer Science Department has been awarded a Pennsylvania Link-to-Learn grant of more than $300,000 to strengthen the technology work force in Pennsylvania by increasing the number of undergraduate and graduate students in computer science. The project will be directed by Mary Lou Soffa, professor of computer science.

"Without an information technology work force that is large enough and technically adept at using and producing information technologies to meet the public and private sectors' growing demand, Pennsylvania, and indeed the U.S., risks losing the scientific, economic, and human resource advantages it now has," Soffa warned.

The problem is especially acute in graduate education, particularly for doctoral (Ph.D.) candidates.

"We have a crisis due to the extremely low number of American undergraduates advancing their technical education by going on for a graduate degree in CS (computer science)," said Soffa. "Graduate-level CS departments are being overwhelmed with applications from foreign students, while almost all American graduates with bachelor's degrees in CS, including those with exceptionally high academic records, decide not to continue on to graduate school."

Soffa hopes to alleviate the problem at the undergraduate level partially by targeting women and ethnic minorities for recruitment efforts.

"The underrepresentation of women and minorities in computer science is a serious problem. If women and minorities were already fully participating in IT, then there would be no shortage today," said Soffa. "Having them participate in the technically strong disciples of IT, such as computer science, will not only benefit them but also Pennsylvania and the nation."

A partnership also has been developed with approximately 100 area high school districts through University of Pittsburgh's existing College in High School program.

Pitt will use the grant to develop a combined B.S. and M.S. degree to encourage American students to get an advanced degree, as well as to create a new computer laboratory to enable CS majors to learn and explore state-of-the-art techniques.

The program also will include workshops to demonstrate the excitement, creativity and opportunities for students who participate in the technically challenging field of computer science, as well as conferences to inform students, teachers, and parents about the opportunities in computer science.

As part of this project, the CS Department has developed partnerships with CIC (formerly FORE Systems), ALCOA Corporation, and other high-tech companies to help inform students about job opportunities and career paths available in Pennsylvania and to provide industrial and business input to the CS Department. The companies will provide guest lecturers and meaningful internships to Pitt's CS students, as well as members of an advisory board to ensure that the department's curriculum meets the needs of area employers.

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