Fred Humphries, corporate vice president of U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft, in Little Rock on Monday (Photo by Randall Lee, Governor’s Office)
News release from Governor Asa Hutchinson
LITTLE ROCK ~ Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding with Microsoft Corp. to implement a Digital Alliance intended to promote STEM education and economic development, statewide. Under this relationship, Microsoft is committed to hosting a DigiCamp and YouthSpark Live event for students and a BizSpark training session. In addition, Microsoft will work with the Arkansas Department of Education to grow the TEALS Initiative, which pairs computer science professionals with computer science teachers to teach high school computer science courses.
These events and programs will take place throughout Arkansas and will provide participants the opportunity to learn about careers in technology, connect with STEM industry professionals, participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops, connect local businesses with current digital solutions and more. The Digital Alliance will support students, teachers and administrators, entrepreneurs, and other community members across the state.
The Arkansas Department of Education will continue to work with Microsoft to finalize additional details.
Governor Hutchinson issued the following statement:
“Technology influences almost everything we do today, from recreation to education to professional development. This alliance with Microsoft will continue to empower Arkansans with digital skills essential to almost every facet of life in the 21st century. I am delighted that this Digital Alliance will provide Arkansans with additional opportunity to gain experience with coding and computation, which only helps to further my initiatives to support STEM education and economic development in the state.”
Corporate vice president of U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft Fred Humphries issued the following statement:
“Microsoft is committed to supporting the workforce of today — and growing the workforce of the future — by ensuring that all students, regardless of economic background, have the opportunity to learn computer science and computational thinking. These skills are needed in every industry. This digital alliance builds on Arkansas’s commitment to increase access to computer science education and help close the skills gap. I thank Governor Hutchinson for his continued leadership in K-12 computer science education and for embarking on this new partnership with Microsoft.”
