Impressed by students’ capstone projects, Mastercard funds scholarships and a professorship for research on cybersecurity and diversity.
Students who complete capstone projects typically focus on research related to a real-world problem.
At Northeastern, students often work with industry partners to solve specific needs.
After all, the university is the global leader in experiential education.
Three times a year, the Vancouver campus hosts student showcases where master’s degree candidates present their capstones to an audience.
Mastercard representatives attended a showcase when the relationship was in its early stages — and they were thoroughly impressed.
“By attending the showcase, they saw the capabilities of the students,” Vancouver campus regional dean and CEO Steve Eccles said.
So impressed, in fact, that the encounter resulted in a three-year partnership with Mastercard that will fund a new teaching professorship and scholarships for future capstone projects focused on cybersecurity and diversity.
“I think that’s proof that these capstone courses are highly effective in connecting with industry and getting the students noticed among employers,” Eccles said in announcing the $715,000 partnership.
The new professor, Maryam Tanha, specializes in network management. She will teach cybersecurity courses and conduct research on Android malware detection using machine learning and AI.
“We’re lucky to have her on board,” said Ildar Akhmetov, an associate teaching professor and the director of computing programs on the Vancouver campus. “This is perfect timing.”
Other faculty working with Tanha will include Logan Schmidt from the Vancouver campus and Tamara Bonaci and Sarita Singh from the Seattle campus.