Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


IBM Aims To Boost Mainframe Competency with Scholarship Program

As we reported recently, IBM is accelerating its efforts to bolster mainframe education in an effort to increase the number of professionals entering the workforce with mainframe skills. Now the company is putting additional money where its mouth is with a new scholarship program supported by itself and its partner ecosystem, along with higher education institutions.

Dubbed the "IBM Destination z Enterprise Computing Scholarship Program," the new initiative is part of IBM's larger Academic Initiative for the System z program. It's focused on furthering mainframe education and is be co-funded by IBM and its business partners that focus on IBM mainframes--a group that has, according to IBM, increased in size by 40 percent over he last eight months.

"As one of IBM's key business partners focused on delivering mainframe offerings to clients, investing in the skills and people that are going to run these mission critical platforms is key to its success," said Doug Harrell, vice president of sales, System z, for Mainline Information Systems, in a prepared statement. "This new scholarship program is yet another unique way how IBM and Mainline are teaming up as part of the larger ecosystem to continue to educate the up-and-coming mainframe programmers of tomorrow."

Aside from Mainline, IBM partners funding the scholarship include Levi Ray & Shoup, Rocket Software, and Vicom Infinity. Universities and colleges are also participating in the scholarship program, including Illinois State University, Marist College, Minnesota State University, and others.

"We are heavily invested in the future of the IBM System z mainframe--and in working with our strong Business Partner and university channels. IBM is offering some great programs and incentives for the next generation of mainframe programmers," said Karl Freund, vice president, marketing and strategy, IBM System z.

Students can apply for the scholarships beginning Oct. 6 by clicking here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • digital brain with network connections

    Microsoft Moving to Internally Developed AI Models in Office Apps

    Microsoft is reportedly using its own in-house artificial intelligence models to handle some workloads in Excel and Outlook, offering new evidence that the company is moving its AI strategy beyond model development and into large-scale cost reduction.

  • circuit patterns

    Anthropic Launches Lower-Cost Claude Sonnet 5

    Anthropic has released Claude Sonnet 5, positioning the model as its most autonomous mid-tier offering to date and a lower-cost alternative to its flagship Opus 4.8 system. The company said the model can plan multi-step tasks, operate tools such as browsers and terminals, and complete agentic work at a level that previously required larger and more expensive models.

  • Human Hand Assembling Digital Data Blocks

    Report: AI Impact Starts with Strong Data Foundation

    High-impact AI implementations are more likely to treat data architecture, governance, and operationalization as strategic requirements, according to TDWI's 2026 Blueprint report.

  • Abstract background with digital shield made of data particles glowing blue blocking against cyber attacks

    Report: AI Attacks Push Organizations Toward Autonomous Cybersecurity Defense

    Artificial intelligence is raising the stakes of cyber conflict as attackers use the technology to accelerate reconnaissance, uncover vulnerabilities, and launch attacks faster than many security teams can respond.