Avanade and Cal Poly Pomona Launch AI & Innovation Center to Drive Innovation and Student Success
Avanade, a leading expert in Microsoft, and Cal Poly Pomona announced the successful launch of the new Avanade AI & Innovation Center. This initiative represents a transformative partnership aimed at advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, fostering community engagement, and preparing AI enthusiast students for successful careers in STEM and business.
The Avanade AI & Innovation Center at Cal Poly Pomona’s Innovation Village will serve as a vibrant center for AI research, collaboration, and learning, bridging the gap between academia and industry. It will host AI-applied research groups, sponsor student events such as hackathons and workshops, showcase cutting-edge innovations, and share industry trends.
“The Avanade AI & Innovation Center is a testament to our continued commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders with the skills and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Through our decade-long partnership with Cal Poly Pomona, we are not only advancing AI innovation but also together creating opportunities for underserved communities to access technology and career pathways,” said Gord Mawhinney, Americas President, Avanade.
The hub builds on the broader successful initiatives between Avanade and Cal Poly Pomona, such as the establishment of the Mitch Hill Center for Digital Innovation, Avanade Scholarship program, FUEL conference, and more — all aimed at preparing young students to be future ready.
Over the past decade, Avanade has contributed over $2 million to Cal Poly Pomona, underscoring its dedication to community and workforce development. The Avanade AI & Innovation Center has already hired its first five team members from recent Cal Poly Pomona graduates and plans to hire many more CPP graduates over the years, supporting its mission of providing real-world opportunities for students and alumni. This initiative is expected to contribute to local economic growth.
“This partnership with Avanade exemplifies our mission to foster innovation, inclusion, and excellence in preparing our students for career success. By combining our academic expertise with Avanade’s industry leadership, we are creating a platform that empowers our students and faculty to shape the future of AI and harness its transformative power responsibly. We stand at the precipice of the future, and it will take the brightest minds working at the world’s preeminent companies to ensure a better future for all, and that is why we are honored to be partnering with Avanade,” said Dr. Soraya M. Coley, President of Cal Poly Pomona.
Through this initiative, Avanade and Cal Poly Pomona together aim to create high-impact experiences that bridge academia and industry, and drive AI innovation, marking a significant milestone in their shared journey to shape the future of technology and education.