TEANECK, N.J., June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) today announced that it will triple the size of its 'Making the Future' program to expand and enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the country. As part of its commitment to ensuring that the U.S. has a skilled, knowledge-based workforce that can continue to meet the challenges of the global knowledge economy, Cognizant will support 1.5 million hours of 'making' program activities and events to serve 25,000 children in 200 communities by 2017. The announcement was made at the White House's first-ever Maker Faire.

At today's White House Maker Faire, President Barack Obama hosted entrepreneurs, innovators and educators from across the country, representing the future of innovation in America. Participants presented their original ideas and inventions to attendees that included national leaders from government, education, and private sectors along with other stakeholders invested in shaping science and technology policy. The Administration used the event as a platform to announce a call to action to support a Nation of Makers.

In addition to the Maker Faire at the White House, President Obama declared today a National Day of Making. For more information, visit www.whitehouse.gov/makerfaire and follow #NationOfMakers on Twitter.

A recent U.S. Department of Commerce report confirms that America lacks enough STEM workers to meet demand, despite the critical importance of STEM workers to the future of U.S. innovation, competitiveness, and the overall economy. Cognizant's investment in its 'Making the Future' program is designed to promote learning opportunities that are widely accessible, stimulating, enriching, and fun to ensure a skilled, knowledge-based workforce to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. A recent study released by the Research Group at the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California in Berkeley documents the rationale of the 'Making the Future' program with promising evidence of the influence of Cognizant's investment in Maker programs across the U.S.

Later this year, Cognizant will release guidelines and supporting materials to mentor organizations on how to effectively participate in and implement 'making' programs and events.  To maximize this opportunity, Cognizant will develop a coalition of like-minded organizations committed to expanding 'making' opportunities for more youth in communities across the U.S.

"We are proud to support the President's efforts to drive the future of innovation in America by encouraging STEM education and Maker initiatives," said Francisco D'Souza, Chief Executive Officer of Cognizant. "I believe that children have the talent and passion to spearhead the next wave of global innovation and entrepreneurialism. It is our responsibility to enable them to nurture their talent through 'making' and channel their passion into successful and sustainable STEM-based endeavors that have the potential to drive positive change and improve lives."

About Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant combines a passion for client satisfaction, technology innovation, deep industry and business process expertise, and a global, collaborative workforce that embodies the future of work. With over 75 development and delivery centers worldwide and approximately 178,600 employees as of March 31, 2014, Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com or follow us on Twitter: Cognizant.  

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cognizant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Cognizant