The presence of SAP in the education industry has been consistently deepening in recent years- from initiating data science challenges and learning programmes for university students to providing education kits for educators and grade-schoolers.
Enterprise software multinational SAP has been driving innovation to organisations of all sizes across industries worldwide by providing business-specific technology solutions to help them become intelligent and sustainable enterprises. In the education industry, aside from delivering industry cloud and hybrid solutions to support key areas of business operations of institutions, the German tech company is also championing a digital educational environment in partnership with not-for-profit and private organisations.
In Southeast Asia, SAP and ASEAN Foundation has been hosting the flagship programme ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ASEANDSE) for university students across the 10 ASEAN Member States since 2017. Harnessing SAP Cloud Analytics, the annual competition held at national and regional levels requires students to design data-driven and feasible solutions to tackle pressing challenges across six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals– (1) Good Health and Well-being, (2) Quality Education, (3) Gender Equality, (4) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (5) Industry Innovation & Infrastructure, and (6) Sustainable Cities and Communities. Last year, Team Youth Forward, comprising Rada Prapaikornkiet and Kanjaree Suppawittaya from Saint Joseph Convent School, Thailand, emerged as the top winner of the ASEAN DSE Regional Finals.
Globally, SAP continues to expand its alliance with higher education institutions and private organisations as demonstrated with the technology firm’s latest collaborations with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Yale University, and 49ers EDU– centred on fostering early talents in cybersecurity.
Latest Projects of SAP in the Education Industry
Funding Yale Cybersecurity Forum
In January, the company announced a collaboration with Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs focussed on addressing the most urgent concerns in the cybersecurity sector. Under the agreement, SAP will be sponsoring the Yale Cyber Leadership Forum to provide students with scholarships, educational materials, funding for diverse groups of learners as well as mentorship and internships while building an alliance with business and academic communities.
Explaining about the Forum sponsorship that involves support from SAP’s extensive network of attorneys, technologists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, Tim McKnight, EVP and Chief Security Officer of SAP, said:
“Greater workforce diversity is synonymous with innovation, creativity, and a more secure enterprise landscape. By opening cybersecurity conversations and learning opportunities to a broader audience, we aim to foster a new generation of diverse talent.”
Engaging HBCUs
Focussed on enhancing cybersecurity curricula and promoting diversity among young talents in the cybersecurity sector, SAP is partnering with several historically black colleges and universities to fund research, provide internships and mentorships as well as co-op and job opportunities for students. Additionally, SAP intends to enhance the access of underrepresented communities to universities’ computer science and cybersecurity programmes and prepare the students for careers in cybersecurity by sponsoring tuition, books, and accommodation.
Pioneering the project is Hampton University to be followed by the Atlanta University Center Consortium – Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, the Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College.
“These collaborations benefit SAP, but also the entire cybersecurity industry as SAP is doing its part to help close the skills gap in cybersecurity while reinforcing its commitment to advancing diversity in the workforce. We encourage all technology companies around the globe to follow our lead,” commented McKnight.
Providing STEAM Kits for Young Learners
SAP’s long-standing partnership with the US National Football League franchise San Francisco 49ers continues, this time in alliance with non-profit organisation RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching).
Through SAP’s sponsorship, 49ers EDU’s new education project kit– the first of the series– is now made available for educators to help them deliver STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) concepts more engagingly. The “Articulated Leg” project specifically designed for grade K-5 students integrates the football concept by allowing them to build a device that can kick a ball into a goal.
“We are proud of the work and curriculum we’ve developed internally here at 49ers EDU and are always eager to collaborate with external partners like SAP and RAFT that can significantly enhance the impact we can have on local youth. We are excited to bring this resource to educators at zero cost and see how they inspire STEAM learning in local classrooms throughout the Bay Area,” expressed 49ers EDU Director Jesse Lovejoy.
