IBM Launches Academic Cloud

IBM will make key parts of its software portfolio available in a cloud computing environment to more easily allow professors around the world to incorporate technology into their curricula.

IBM brought together more than 200 academic and industry leaders at a recent conference to explore how best to integrate technology into all aspects of a college education so the next generation of global entrepreneurs will be differentiated by an education that applies technology to areas such as information management and business analytics, digitized patient records, and clean technologies.

IBM is working initially with 20 colleges and universities across the U.S. to help them use a new Academic Skills Cloud and will add additional schools over time. The new cloud will provide academia an opportunity to use IBM software at no charge without having to install and maintain it themselves.

Using the new IBM Academic Skills Cloud, professors can help students:

>> learn the latest technology skills, such as software development and practical use of information management, Web 2.0 and cloud computing and how they can be applied for decision-making;

>> access IT curricula and courses from anywhere using their laptop or netbook;

>> differentiate themselves from other graduates by gaining key IT skills to better compete for jobs.

For more information about the IBM Academic Initiative, visit www.ibm.com/academicinitiative. For more information on IBM’s cloud computing university initiatives, visit www.ibm.com/university/cloud

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