The company revealed a new partnership with Howard University, which will allow Black software engineers from «historically black colleges and universities,» more commonly known as HBCUs, to study in a new program at Google's campus, which they call «Howard West.»
The program will open this summer, although initially it will be open only to students of Howard University. Google, however, hopes to bring in students from other schools soon.
Both the newcomers and the older ones who wish to join the scientific computer program at Howard can apply. Those who manage to join will be transferred to California for a three-month term, where they will learn from Google's engineers as well as from their own professors.
«Howard West will create hundreds of colorful graduates, specialists in computer science, future leaders, with the power to turn the global technology space into a stronger, more accurate picture of the world around us,» said the President of Howard University, Wayne Frederick.
Frederick has high hopes for the students at his university, but also hopes that the program will spark the interest «of the technology sector and other thought leaders, around the importance of diversity in the businesses and communities they serve».
People of color employees make up 2% of Google's total workforce, according to data published by the company. 59% are white, 32% of Asian descent, 3% two or more races, and the other 3% Spanish-speaking.
