Software AG plans to introduce the four forces—big data, social, cloud and mobile computing—to colleges and universities through its enhanced University Relations program. The new program is aimed at students, professors and other faculty members in business management and information technology departments. Online communities will enable students and faculty not only to access Software AG products, but also to engage with specialists from companies and user groups.

Jürgen Powik, director of University Relations at Software AG, explains, “Providing a solid, market-oriented education to future managers is key to our ability to innovate.” Software AG therefore invests in close collaboration with institutions of higher learning. The education packages for the four forces, big data, cloud, social and mobile, include free software, e-learning and video materials for students’ self-guided study as well as materials for teaching staff. By way of a market-based scenario, students delve into concrete applications of the products. The big data education package, for example, includes 50 million data records.

Powik expects 100 departments worldwide to take advantage of Software AG’s new offering in 2014, which means that 1,500 students will be trained in the specialized field of the four megatrends next year alone. This brings Software AG significantly closer to its goal of establishing innovative technology know-how at university level to prepare IT professionals and entrepreneurs for the future.

Colleges and universities can continue employing Software AG’s software in other scenarios and for academic or research projects for free. This not only ensures the independence of academia and research, but also that institutions of higher learning tap and promote their innovation potential.

The program also features other services, which have been available and readily utilized for several years now, for example, guest lectures by Software AG specialists about the company and its products. These specialists serve as first points of contact for students and faculty. Students can glean personal insight to Germany’s second-largest software company during visits to Software AG, internships and work-study programs. Furthermore, Software AG provides individual support to students in completing research projects and theses through the availability of software and infrastructure. After finishing college, young professionals and entrepreneurs can also depend on finding a strong partner in Software AG.