UKG Academy for Computer Science & Education

The UKG Academy for Computer Science (CS) & Education at Florida International University (FIU) was founded in 2015 through a $1 million, 10-year commitment from UKG (formerly Ultimate Software) to strengthen South Florida’s computing ecosystem. The Academy was launched to address a severe shortage of qualified CS teachers in public schools, particularly in Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. It empowers teachers, administrators, and students in K-16 grades across South Florida to access high-quality CS education.

 

Working closely with all three South Florida school districts and maintaining strong ties with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), the Academy aims to close the CS educator gap, expand the tech talent pipeline, and build sustainable learning communities that prepare students for 21st-century careers. Led by Distinguished Professor Giri Narasimhan and Co-Director Nimmi Arunachalam, alongside a dedicated corps of volunteers and student facilitators, the Academy continues to be a leading hub for CS education and workforce preparation in the region.

 

The Academy provides free, hands-on workshops and professional development to prepare K-12 educators to confidently teach computing and programming. It hosts FIU’s High School Programming Competition and serves as the Southeast Regional host for the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), fostering computing excellence at multiple education levels. As the Miami-Dade regional partner with Code.org, the Academy equips educators with the latest curriculum and training to inspire students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

 

A major focus of its current efforts is AI education for teachers, covering how to use AI effectively in teaching and learning, as well as foundational knowledge on how AI works. By engaging the whole education community—teachers, administrators, and students—the Academy strengthens South Florida’s computing pipeline and advances innovative learning experiences. Learn more about the Academy’s impactful work, workshops, and competitions at https://academy.cs.fiu.edu.