(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — Systems, one of the largest defense contractors in Hawaiʻi, has donated $107,000 to the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation for six scholarships at the university's College of Engineering.
Of the six scholarships, four are for students who have participated in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics program. Two scholarships are for returning "kamaʻaina" — students studying in the continental United States — to Hawaiʻi to contribute to the growth of intellectual infrastructure and the economy.
"These scholarships support the college's interest in developing a larger, technology-based workforce in Hawaiʻi," said Peter Crouch, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi - Mānoa. "Additionally, the support for the FIRST robotics program will help top students remain in Hawaiʻi. We are grateful to BAE Systems and look forward to working with them in the future."
As a major supporter of FIRST robotics, and of Gov. Linda Lingle's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs, BAE Systems provides sponsorship and mentorship for four area high schools: McKinley, Iolani, Radford, and Maryknoll.
"These scholarships provide a small but important connection between the business community and the University of Hawaiʻi, supporting the next generation of technology leaders in the state," said Ty Aldinger, identification and surveillance site manager for BAE Systems in Honolulu.
"Especially important are the 'Kamaʻaina Come Home' scholarships, as University of Hawaiʻi President David McClain calls them, which allow Hawaiʻi resident students who are matriculating on the mainland to come home to finish their education at the University of Hawaiʻi," added Bob Putes, local site manager for BAE Systems Information Technology.
BAE Systems employs more than 750 people in Hawaiʻi in operations that include shipyards, information technology, weapon systems, and satellite communications support.
# # #
About BAE Systems. BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering, a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 96,000 employees worldwide, had 2006 sales that exceeded $27 billion on a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc. for the whole of 2006.
For further information, please contact:
Karen Spiller, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 603 885 2818 Mobile: +1 603 566 2090
[email protected]
www.baesystems.com
