The company’s
new University Relations program will introduce the four forces to universities
worldwide as part of a program to benefit research and teaching
Software AG plans to introduce the four forces, big data, social,
cloud and mobile computing, to colleges and universities through its enhanced
University Relations program. The new program is aimed at students, professors
and other faculty members in business management and information technology
departments. Online communities will enable students and faculty not only to
access Software AG products, but also to engage with specialists from companies
and user groups.
Jürgen Powik, director of University Relations at Software AG,
explains, “Providing a solid, market-oriented education to future managers is
key to our ability to innovate.” Software AG therefore invests in close
collaboration with institutions of higher learning. The education packages for the
four forces, big data, cloud, social and mobile, include free software, e-learning
and video materials for students’ self-guided study as well as materials for teaching
staff. By way of a market-based scenario, students delve into concrete applications
of the products. The big data education package, for example, includes 50 million
data records.
Powik expects 100 departments worldwide to take advantage of
Software AG’s new offering in 2014, which means that 1,500 students will be
trained in the specialized field of the four megatrends next year alone. This
brings Software AG significantly closer to its goal of establishing innovative
technology know-how at university level to prepare IT professionals and
entrepreneurs for the future.
Colleges and universities can continue employing Software AG’s
software in other scenarios and for academic or research projects for free. This
not only ensures the independence of academia and research, but also that
institutions of higher learning tap and promote their innovation potential.
The program also features other services, which have been available
and readily utilized for several years now, for example, guest lectures by
Software AG specialists about the company and its products. These specialists serve
as first points of contact for students and faculty. Students can glean
personal insight to Germany’s second-largest software company during visits to
Software AG, internships and work-study programs. Furthermore, Software AG provides
individual support to students in completing research projects and theses
through the availability of software and infrastructure. After finishing
college, young professionals and entrepreneurs can also depend on finding a
strong partner in Software AG.