Google has partnered with Howard University to promote black software engineers. The tech company has launched a new program that will admit students from "historically black colleges and universities" and allow them to study on Google's campus. The program is going to be known as "Howard West."
According to Google's Vice President Bonita Stewart, the tech industry hardly talked about diversity 10 years back. She believes Google's present partnership with Howard is going to change the work culture on a permanent basis. The program starts this summer.
Stewart said in a statement that Googlers and Howard students would grow together. "I can only imagine what innovation and creativity will come to light," she said. She quotes management consultant Peter Drucker to say that Google's way of predicting the future is by creating it. Howard West is built upon this ideology. Google plans to create a future, which will feature inclusion and diversity.
At the moment, the program will accept students only from Howard University, which happens to be a historically black university. Gradually, it will start accepting students from other universities as well. Junior and senior computer science students at Howard can apply. Select students will join the California campus for three months. Google engineers will teach them during the period.
Interestingly, Black employees consist of just 2 percent of Google's workforce. Asians consist of a significant share (32 percent), while white people are the majority with their 59 percent presence in the overall workforce of the company, Mashable reported.
The Google in Residence program has revealed how Black students suffer from lack of mentor access, role models, and exposure. Many students find it difficult to focus on studies, as they take up part-time jobs. GIR has also revealed a lack of strong relationships between the African American Community and Silicon Valley.
