Infosys Foundation USA Partners with Code.org to bridge the digital divide in the US

Infosys Foundation USA has announced a partnership with Code.org to expand access to computer science education for millions of students across the United States. The program includes professional development for teachers, curriculum development and social outreach programs.

Infosys Foundation USA has also committed its support to Code.org’s annual Hour of Code initiative, a global grassroots campaign that has introduced millions of students to computer science in over 180 countries. Code.org will run its third Hour of Code campaign in December 2015, encouraging students of all ages to try a one-hour computer science tutorial. These lessons are designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.

With the support of Infosys Foundation USA, Code.org will be able to expand its professional development program, training approximately 350 middle and high school teachers across the United States.

With this announcement, Infosys Foundation USA becomes a Platinum-level sponsor of Code.org, providing not only financial support but also resources and extensive experience in computer science education.

The Chairperson of Infosys Foundation USA, Vandana Sikka, has been appointed to the Code.org Board. Sikka’s background includes a master’s degree in computer science and a successful track record in product design, development and management in several Silicon Valley startups. She joins fellow Code.org board members, including representatives from companies such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon.com.

Vandana Sikka, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation USA said, “Our partnership with Code.org will accelerate our goal to give all children the skills they need to become creators, not just consumers, of technology. Computing skills aren’t just for software engineers anymore. They are becoming as foundational as science and language arts. As a parent, I feel strongly that every child should have the opportunity to learn these skills.”

The Code.org partnership is part of the Foundation’s larger mission to expand computer science education and training in the United States, particularly for those in underrepresented communities.

Hadi Partovi, CEO, Code.org said, “The United States is forecast to have 1 mn unfilled computer science jobs by 2020. This support from Infosys Foundation USA will play a major role in Code.org’s efforts to broaden access to computer science education, empower teachers and help students of all backgrounds to be ready for the jobs of tomorrow.”