IBM Makes Timely $3 Million In-Kind Donation to York University
Gift to Help Outfit Campus Classrooms, Labs for York's 4,000+ Computer Studies Students -- Tomorrow's Answer to Critical Shortage of Hi-Tech Professionals

TORONTO, November 29, 1999 -- York University and IBM Canada's shared commitment to advanced education in information technology -- and a common understanding of the critical need for high technology professionals -- has led to the announcement today of a $3 million donation from IBM to help outfit campus classrooms and labs for York's 4,050 strong computer studies students.

IBM's gift-in-kind donation, to be officially secured at a signing today, will bring York's yield to $14 million through the Access to Opportunities Program (ATOP). The provincial government's ATOP program, set up to encourage the expansion of computer science studies, will match IBM's donation, bringing its worth to $6 million.

"We salute IBM Canada for this generous investment and for the thinking that informs it. Not only is IBM showing its financial commitment to higher education, it is also leading the way in providing students with unique internship opportunities," said York University President Dr. Lorna Marsden. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with IBM, and together responding to student and industry demand for access to the latest learning tools and forward-thinking curricula."

IBM employs almost 500 York University graduates in a variety of positions from entry to senior management, reinforcing the fact that York provides local, regional, and national employers such as IBM with a rich talent pool from which to draw. In addition, 64 of York's best computer science students were placed in 16-month internship program over the past several years.

"Through this strategic partnership, we are very pleased to be able to contribute towards the enhancement of Information Technology education," said John Wetmore, President and Chief Executive Officer, IBM Canada Ltd. "By combining our efforts with those of York University and the province of Ontario, we are proud to be giving students the opportunity to develop new skills and compete for the best jobs in the industry."

Under this multi-year agreement, IBM will be providing York University with desktop computers, servers, desktop software (Visual Age C++, Visual Age Java Enterprise, Visual Age Smalltalk, DB2 Developers), and server-based software (Websphere Performance Pack 3.0, Net Commerce V3 Pro for NT).

IBM's contribution within this agreement will help accommodate the exceptional demands that accrue from an expanded computer science program. York aims to double by 2001 the number of computer science students registered in B.A., B.Sc., M.Sc. and PhD programs, and to introduce new undergraduate programs in information technology for liberal arts, humanities and social science students. York also plans to develop a strong suite of degree programs which have technical components such as e-commerce, health technology and teacher education initiatives for math, science and technology. This will help York address the need for high quality academic programs and help accommodate the high student demand expected due to population demographics and the 2003 double cohort.

"IBM Canada's gift will help continue York's tradition of innovation," said Gary J. Smith, York University Vice-President (University Advancement) He noted, for example, that last year York met the challenge of providing more graduates with technology backgrounds by launching three innovative new Information Technology (ITEC) degree programs that go beyond the traditional computer science curriculum to deliver a broadly based education related to the application of information technology in contemporary organizations and society.

York University, Canada's third largest university, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It is nationally and internationally respected for its innovative research and award-winning teaching. With its combination of dedicated and talented faculty, opportunities for bright and ambitious students, dynamic curriculum and modern campuses in one of North America's most influential urban centres, York University is setting the modern standard in academic excellence.

IBM's Global Education Industry Division offers a wide range of products, services and solutions to higher education institutions, as well as schools, around the world. For higher education institutions, IBM offers a framework of e-business components, called IBM Global Campus, which provides an integrated education, delivery and support environment for distributed learning and administrative applications. For more information, please visit www.hied.ibm.com.

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Sr. Advisor/Director, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
sinem@yorku.ca

AndrČ Ouellet
Public Relations, Industry Solutions
IBM Canada Ltd.
(514) 938-7339
aouellet@ca.ibm.com
YU/134/99