Smart Campus Solutions Emerge from Capstone Project

Computer Science Students Develop Tech Creations for Real-world Application

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – In a world increasingly dependent on digital automation, Bowie State University computer science students are developing smart campus technologies – to add greater efficiency in scheduling facility maintenance – as part of a capstone project with Infor, a multinational enterprise software company. Sign up to watch the students' live presentation Friday, May 1 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

As part of a digital transformation initiative developed by the Maryland Center at Bowie State University, 25 students in the capstone course divided into five teams and participated in 35-40 hours of intensive cloud computing and software development training, including AWS cloud computing services. By the end of February, the teams were ready to develop a tech solution to automate the process of scheduling preventative and corrective maintenance for equipment and facilities on the Bowie State campus.

Each team will unveil its prototype system in a final capstone presentation on Friday, May 1 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. A panel of 15 expert judges from industry partners and the BSU computer science faculty will evaluate the students’ tech solutions and the viability of bringing their ideas to life in the real world. The top three teams will receive cash prizes sponsored by Infor's industry partners: $1,000 first place prize (sponsored by TACG), $500 second prize (sponsored by Starpoint), and $250 third place prize (sponsored by Legion Technical Solutions). The goal is to prepare students for success in their careers and generate ideas for technologies that could be used at the Bowie State campus and other colleges and universities.

Infor focuses on business applications for organizations delivered through cloud computing services. Mark Failor, Infor’s senior director of public sector solutions & alliances and BSU liaison on the initiative, said the company looks forward to working with the Department of Computer Science to train sophomores and juniors in their technology platforms, preparing them for the capstone assignment to address real-world tech challenges.

“This digital transformation initiative really allows Infor and our entire network of partners to hire the next generation of the digital workforce,” said Failor. “These students are going to enter the workplace trained in digital capabilities, so we believe that they will be very attractive to our network of partners.”

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.