STACK expands its growing portfolio of STEM education initiatives across Europe to attract new talent and drive diversity, equity and inclusion in the data centre industry.
STACK Infrastructure, a digital infrastructure partner to some of the world’s most innovative companies and a leading global developer and operator of data centres, has launched a scholarship programme for female students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (as defined by the Social Mobility Commission) who are planning to study a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subject at university in the UK.
Beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year, STACK will fund the entire academic studies of selected students, including the full cost of tuition fees as well as living expenses. The scholars will also be given access to mentorship, internship opportunities and attendance at leading data centre industry events.
The scholarship programme, which is in partnership with leading financial EdTech platform, Blackbullion, supports STACK’s commitment to helping underserved communities, promoting social mobility and developing the next generation of diverse industry leaders who otherwise may not have been able to fund a university education.
“The STACK Scholarship programme is a groundbreaking initiative which we are proud to add to our growing list of meaningful and impactful education programmes across EMEA,” said John Eland, CEO, STACK EMEA. “Data centres are the backbone of digital innovation, and we believe the sector offers vibrant and dynamic career opportunities for ambitious individuals from an array of backgrounds.
“The STACK Scholarship programme reinforces our unwavering commitment to social mobility, diversity and driving representation within the data centre industry,” added Eland.
STACK’s education programmes enable a clear pathway of support for current and future jobseekers across EMEA, from primary school age children all the way through to seasoned professionals looking to reskill.
The company’s thriving partnerships, apprenticeships and scholarships put data centres and critical STEM subjects firmly on the agenda for hundreds of students across a wide range of age groups.
The STACK Scholarship programme was announced at the company’s 2024 DE&I Groundworks Conference, hosted in Zurich in May 2024. STACK employees from different regions, backgrounds and roles participated in the event, which featured sessions on shaping policies and practices to drive greater inclusion, unveiling the power of belonging in the workplace and laying the foundation for diversity, equity and inclusion.
