I think this is a super initiative from IBM:
IBM Provides Free Online Training in Hot Technologies
WALTHAM, MA – 16 Jun 2008: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it is helping to prepare the next generation of business and IT experts at no charge with online resources designed to educate students about hot technologies. Six offerings are now available, providing students access to tutorials, forums, games and other resources, and helping them develop marketable skills in hot job areas such as enterprise computing, Web 2.0 programming and database management.
Additionally, through the Student Portal on the IBM Academic Initiative web site, students can access a three-step tutorial on Service Science Management and Engineering (SSME), a new academic discipline that brings together ongoing work in the fields of science, engineering, and business management, combined with the study of social and legal sciences. The SSME resources prepare students to take advantage of a growing field of “hybrid” technology jobs that require multi-disciplinary backgrounds, such as environmental engineering, information analysis and urban architect planning.
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IBM customer MIB is moving toward a Services-Oriented Architecture extended with Web 2.0 to better serve its 500 member life and health insurance companies. Therefore, it is looking to attract emerging talent in Massachusetts who can continue development of Web 2.0 capabilities and Rich Internet Applications to assure secure data exchanges.
“IBM is demonstrating leadership by providing supplemental Web 2.0 learning resources where students play — the Internet. At the same time, by working closely with universities to deliver those relevant skills, we’re confident we’ll have the talent pool we need to succeed,” said Alexander Klevitsky, Director of Architecture and Enterprise Software for MIB.
Whilst there is no direct Lotus link here (the courses use Websphere Community Server, DB2 and Jazz) it is clear that any positive input to student training from IBM has to be a good thing, especially if they leave college knowing and having enjoying using IBM software.
Read the full press-release here.