The sponsoring is part of the co-operation between IBM and both universities. The company wants to support the international students by means of the scholarships, both in their personal development and in starting their careers. The sponsor also hopes, of course, to generate interest for their own firm. Every student will therefore be included within IBM in the Foundation-programme. The participants will get their own mentor, a young manager who will familiarise them with company culture, and help to lay the foundation for their further development into IT-specialist, project manager, consultant or IT-architect. The students are also welcome at sports-tournaments and parties.
The introductory presentations for the students from, among others, Kees Donker, director IBM Global Services, took place on 2 November, they then also met their mentors. The next event is planned for the end of November: a party-night because of the finals of an IBM-programming tournament.
