Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (COLLEGE STATION) – Gov. Rick Perry today joined Gordon Coburn, president of Cognizant, to present the company’s $150,000 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grant to Texas A&M University. The grant comes in the form of a three-year commitment from Cognizant and will support the promotion of STEM education programs through the National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM) at Texas A&M University.
“In Texas, employers don’t have to worry about whether they’ll have the talent and skill available to fill the jobs they’re creating, because we’ve built a world-class workforce – including right here in College Station,” Gov. Perry said. “By emphasizing the core subjects of science, technology, engineering and math, we can accelerate the pace of our high-tech education, expand opportunity for the young people of our state and strengthen our state’s workforce of the future.”
The NCTM will use the funding to support its BioFORCE program, which provides developmental activities to prepare and encourage high school students to become part of the biotechnology and biomanufacturing workforce.
“We are proud to partner with Texas A&M University to inspire the next generation of technology leaders through robust STEM education programs,” Coburn said. “At Cognizant, we understand the critical role STEM education plays in preparing students to emerge as leaders in America’s innovation economy, and we are committed to supporting STEM education to help the U.S. remain competitive in an increasingly global economy.”
Cognizant is a global leader in business and technology services and one of the fastest growing Fortune 500 companies, employing more than 29,000 people nationwide and 2,000 in Texas. Cognizant recently moved the headquarters of its principal U.S. operating company to College Station, and plans to increase its workforce in Texas by at least 750 employees in the next three years as the company continues to grow and support its customers worldwide. Cognizant has donated more than $336,000 towards various outreach programs across the state.
