Microsoft Donates $10 Million to University of Washington Project

SEATTLE — Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Wash., recently donated $10 million to the development of the new University of Washington (UW) Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) building in Seattle, with hopes that the facility will help to double the number of computer science and engineering degrees awarded by the university annually.

A current lack of viable candidates in the CSE industry has caused Microsoft to look overseas for employees who would have otherwise been recruited from the U.S., according to the company. For example, the Washington Student Achievement Council recently determined that Washington alone must produce at least 2,760 bachelor’s degree holders annually just to meet projected employer demand. By expanding UW’s physical space for these critical programs as well as enrollment and graduation rates, Microsoft hopes to increase domestic recruitment.

One of the state’s biggest suppliers of computer science graduates, UW’s CSE program is currently running at full capacity due to high demand for tech workers. Although the university has made some changes to accommodate a larger enrollment, the new building will expand on the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering and help bump the number of degrees awarded annually from 300 to 600, according to the university.

While the total number of CSE degrees awarded will increase, a total of $110 million in funding is still needed to complete the new 130,000-square-foot facility. Microsoft is just the first corporation to contribute to the project and has encouraged more U.S. tech companies to lend their support, as all firms will ultimately benefit.

“This is an investment in students who will become the innovators and creators of tomorrow,” Microsoft General Counsel and Executive Vice President Brad Smith said in a statement. “We hope this first corporate commitment to a new UW CSE building inspires others — individual donors, companies and those in state government — to support a project vital to the future of our state.”

The existing CSE building at UW opened in 2003 and was named for Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, who also helped support its construction. While the building increased the university’s enrollment capacity, UW claims it currently has room for just about one out of every three qualified students who apply directly to the CSE department, according to KIRO TV.

“UW graduates are a source of talent for Microsoft and our extensive research collaborations benefit the region’s computer science prowess,” said Jeannette Wing, corporate vice president, Microsoft Research, in a statement. “All of us at Microsoft want to see their computer science program continue to grow and thrive.”