The University of Maryland (UMD) recently announced one of the largest faculty expansions in its history, with plans to hire 40 faculty in fields across its colleges and schools to help advance the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, education and leaders.
The new faculty members will support the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM), a collaborative hub launched last spring for research, offering innovative and experiential learning opportunities for students and focusing on responsible and ethical AI technology to advance the public good. UMD and its philanthropic and industry partners plan to invest more than $100 million in the institute over the next 10 years.
“Interdisciplinary collaboration is a hallmark of our institute, as we are dedicated to both the computer science side of AI and how the technology is studied and used in everything from the arts and education to journalism, business, engineering and social sciences like psychology, political science, and gender and women’s studies,” said Hal Daumé III, AIM director and a Volpi-Cupal Family Endowed Professor in the Department of Computer Science. “We are looking for faculty who will bring diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to our campus to help ensure we are considering this rapidly evolving field from every possible angle.”
AIM will include new AI majors, AI certificates, graduate degrees, workforce development programs and a new high-performance computing cluster tailored for AI’s complex computational challenges.
While their backgrounds will vary, new faculty members must have a strong research interest in one of AIM’s four core areas: accessibility, sustainability, social justice and learning. They will join 100-plus faculty members who already study and teach AI at UMD, the nation’s No. 5 public school for the discipline, according to U.S. News & World Report’s influential 2025 “Best Colleges” guide.
“The University of Maryland and the state of Maryland are committed to responsibly advancing AI technology and preparing students from every field of study for a technology-rich world,” said UMD Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice. “The addition of 40 new faculty members across disciplines further illustrates that commitment and positions our university as a global leader for cutting-edge AI education and research.”
Oakton College recently announced the launch of a new course in partnership with WriteSea, a leading AI-powered career services suite that enhances student outcomes with personalized job search support. The course, titled CIS 102 – Job Search Principles and Tools, is set to begin in March 2025 as part of the college’s ongoing efforts to enhance students’ career readiness.
This 1-credit hour course was funded by the Illinois Community College Board Trades school grant and offers a unique combination of lectures and hands-on labs. During the lecture sessions, students will develop a solid foundation in job search strategies, gaining insight into key skills such as interview preparation, salary negotiation, resume writing, and cover letter customization. The lab portion introduces WriteSea’s innovative Job Search Genius platform, providing students with the tools they need to create professional resumes, tailor their applications, practice interview techniques, and develop salary negotiation strategies.
Hands-On Learning and Real-World Skills
Students will have the opportunity to directly engage with the platform, allowing them to develop real-time job-search skills. By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to navigate the competitive job market with confidence. The course focuses on practical, accessible strategies that cater to today’s fast-paced employment landscape.
“We are proud to offer this course as part of our commitment to student success,” said Ragaa Abdallah, Chair of Computer Technologies and Information Systems at Oakton College. “Our collaboration with WriteSea enables us to provide students with essential career tools that will help them stand out in their job search.”
A Major Milestone for WriteSea!
Brandon Mitchell, CEO of WriteSea, stated, “This is WriteSea’s first official implementation into an academic classroom setting, marking a significant milestone for our company. After assisting thousands of college students through our software, we are now partnering with an academic institution to integrate WriteSea as a critical tool for students to complete their program successfully. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our platform being used directly in the classroom, helping shape the future workforce by providing them with the career tools they need to thrive.”
Ragaa Abdallah, Chair of Computer Technologies and Information Systems at Oakton College stated, “The Job Search Principles and Tools course is expected to be integrated into Oakton’s Computer Information Systems (CIS) degrees and certificates, with potential plans to expand into other career and technical education (CTE) programs.”
Enrollment and Course Information
Enrollment for the course opens on November 15, 2024. The course will be offered as an 8-week, late-start class beginning March 17, 2025. Oakton College encourages students from all disciplines to enroll and take advantage of this career-building opportunity.
Infosys recently announced a collaboration with Southwark Council to launch its digital learning platform – Springboard in the borough. This initiative aims to provide Southwark residents, colleges, and schools with free access to Infosys’ flagship digital learning platform, Springboard.
Southwark Council has created a three-year strategy to support digital inclusion across all its communities, delivered alongside the council’s wider strategic framework. The council believes that access to the internet, a device, and the skills to go online should be considered the fourth utility, no different from gas, water, and electricity.
Springboard is Infosys’ flagship digital learning platform designed to empower people, communities, and society with skills to be successful in the 21st century. The platform features content spanning digital learning, emerging technologies, and life skills. Collaborating with curriculum partners, non-profits, and a global network of leading educational institutions, Springboard is led by a team of experts who are truly invested in equipping the residents of the borough with the right tools and resources to participate in society and the digital economy.
Infosys Springboard will help Southwark residents acquire new skills and enhance employability, supporting individuals, communities, and businesses alike. In particular, it aims to be available to everyone for free to help increase digital literacy across the board and ensure nobody is left behind. The platform will also support digitally engaged communities by making devices and digital assets available to those who need them.
The announcement follows a successful 2021 deployment of Springboard in Brent, which sought to tackle the digital skills gap and boost employability post-lockdown. Succeeded by Sandwell in 2023, where the Springboard platform has helped residents unlock new opportunities to innovate and give them the digital skills needed for the future. Since the launch of the initiatives with Brent and Sandwell councils over 50,000 registered users are actively benefiting from over 10,000 courses offered through the Springboard platform.
Following the success of Brent and Sandwell, the key objectives of Infosys Springboard in Southwark include:
- Digital Literacy for All: The platform will be freely accessible to everyone, promoting digital literacy and ensuring that no one is left behind.
- Supporting Digitally Engaged Communities: Springboard will make devices and digital assets available to those who cannot afford them, fostering digitally engaged communities.
- Boosting Entrepreneurship and Business Services: Entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses can enhance their services through digital efforts.
Dionne Lowndes, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Southwark Council, said: “Partnering with Infosys to bring the Springboard platform to Southwark is a significant step towards realising our ambitious three-year digital strategy. The initiative will not only empower our residents, but local businesses too, with vital digital skills and resources. By enhancing this kind of accessibility and fostering innovation, we are working to enable our community to thrive in an ever-advancing technological world.”
Thirumala Arohi, Executive Vice President and Head – Education, Training and Assessment, Infosys, emphasised the importance of upskilling and reskilling. Arohi said: “Empowering individuals, entrepreneurs and small and medium sized businesses through digital efforts is a key focus for Infosys. Our collaboration with Southwark Council will help provide essential digital skills for individuals who can’t afford them, fostering digitally engaged communities. We are committed to ensuring equitable access to digital education and look forward to seeing a positive impact on Southwark’s residents and businesses as they embrace new opportunities and innovations.”
For more information about Infosys Springboard, please click HERE.
- Big Deals—AI expansion, Career Services, and Comunity Education - November 18, 2024
- EDUCAUSE24 Wrap Up: CEO John O’Brien Highlights This Year’s Show - November 1, 2024
- UTSA’s experiential learning leaders take center stage at conference - November 1, 2024