The target population will be students from area high schools and Pitt undergraduates.  The grant will be used to develop and implement a combined B.S and M.S. degree to encourage American students to get an advanced degree.  The grant also includes the establishment of workshops that demonstrate the excitement, creativity and opportunities for students who participate in the technically challenging field of computer science.  Also conferences are planned to inform students, teachers and parents about the opportunities in computer science.  The grant includes the creation of a new computer laboratory to enable CS majors to learn and explore state-of-the-art techniques.  As part of this project, the CS Department has developed partnerships with MARCONI Communications (formerly FORE Systems), ALCOA Corporation, and other high-tech companies to help inform CS students about job opportunities and career paths available in PA and to provide industrial/business inputs to the CS Department.  A partnership has also been developed with approximately 100 area high school districts through University of Pittsburgh's existing College in High School program. 

When asked about this Link-to-Learn grant and the prospects of meeting the objectives of the project, Prof. Soffa  said “Without an information technology work force that is large enough and technically strong enough to meet both the public and private sectors' growing demand, and that is adept at using and producing information technologies, Pennsylvania, and indeed the U.S., risks losing the scientific, economic and human resource advantages it now has. In this respect, the underrepresentation of women and minorities in computer science is a serious problem.  If women and minorities were already fully participating in IT, then there would be no shortage today.  Having women and minorities participate in the technically strong disciples of IT, such as computer science, will not only benefit them but also Pennsylvania and the nation."