Machine learning, drone camp and AI, oh my! Hampton University, Amazon team up to launch robotics program

Hampton — Several years ago, Hampton University began looking for ways to pique students’ interests in computer science through a robotics pathway. That plan came to fruition this year when Amazon invested in the university to create a new degree program.

The program will help students obtain advanced degrees and fill positions in the STEM and robotics field.

Students completed their first capstone in the fall and school officials are planning an event this spring after its pilot year, Alissa Harrison, vice president of information technology, said in an email.

The historically Black university already partners with Amazon for the company’s web services training and certifications for students. But the retailer’s investment aims to “increase the overall talent pipeline,” according to the company’s blog.

“We wanted to do something that allowed us to both build up our infrastructure and increase our core competencies campus-wide,” Harrison said in a prepared statement. “We wanted to do something different and innovative.”

Some of Hampton’s computer science faculty have experience with artificial intelligence, but not as much with machine learning. The university’s new venture with Amazon will allow Hampton to bring in professionals to assist in that area, according to the school’s website.

Funding from the online retailer will help pay for a research laboratory, hire one faculty position for artificial intelligence and machine learning, create mentorship opportunities for seniors and expand K-12 programming, the university said on its website. Programs for middle and high school-age students will include a drone camp for those with “historically underrepresented backgrounds” to pursue an education in STEM and robotics.

“This will not only build infrastructure inside the school, but it also provides funding for Hampton to go out into the community,” Tye Brady, chief technologist for Amazon Robotics, said. “That will allow Hampton to share the excitement of robotics and the excitement of engineering with those who may not have had exposure to it yet.”

Amazon is known to invest in higher education institutions to boost the number of people pursuing jobs in computer science. The Seattle-based company gave $3 million to community and technical colleges in Washington state to help fill vacant tech jobs with qualified workers. The retailer also announced earlier this month it will partner with nine Texas school to pay for its local hourly employees’ tuition to increase career advancement opportunities.

Hampton hopes to offer a master’s degree in the future.

Sierra Jenkins, 229-462-8896, sierra.jenkins@virginiamedia.com