Global
Creative Director, Alicia Keys, Inaugurates BlackBerry Scholars Program
– a multi-level strategy to engage young women across the globe in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Orlando, FL and Waterloo, ON –BlackBerry Global Creative Director, Alicia Keys, launched the new BlackBerry Scholars Program,
the first step in its global women’s initiative designed to inspire
more women to enter and develop careers in the fields of Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The program was unveiled at
BlackBerry Live in Orlando, Florida.
The BlackBerry Scholars Program will provide full, four-year tuition scholarships to outstanding women who are seeking degrees at accredited
colleges and universities in the areas of STEM with a particular
interest or aptitude in the area of mobile computing. This scholarship
program is the first step in BlackBerry’s long-term commitment and
multi-tiered strategy to engage young women at every step of their
education from high school to college, and as they rise through the
workforce.
While
significantly more women enrol and graduate college than men, only 25%
of U.S. IT jobs are held by women, and 56% of these women eventually
leave the field of technology for other careers. As more than 55% of
BlackBerry customers are women, BlackBerry aims to champion this
generation of female leaders as they strive to achieve their ambitions
in this highly-competitive industry.
“Women
are underrepresented in fields of science and technology, and we feel
strongly that it’s time to drive a change,” said BlackBerry Global
Creative Director, Alicia Keys. “It’s important to connect the dots for
young women in high school and college, and show them that careers in
science and technology are within their reach. And when women do land
these jobs, it’s vital they receive the mentoring and support they need
to advance in their careers. I’m proud BlackBerry is demonstrating
leadership in women’s education, both in school and in the workplace,
and giving back to its most loyal users in such a profound way.”
In
addition to providing full, four-year course tuition, BlackBerry will
also offer mentorship and professional opportunities for each of the
scholars. The scholars will be selected based on their academic merit
and passion for entering the mobile computing industry. A panel of
inspirational and accomplished women, led by Alicia Keys, will choose
the applicants from the pool of nominations submitted before the deadline of 5pm EDT on June 26, 2013.
For more information about the program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, please visit www.blackberry.com/scholars.
