Volkswagen Group of America Unveils Major Educational Philanthropic Effort; Opens U.S. Headquarters

Business Wire, Sept 18, 2008

The partnership with Northern Virginia Community College will create a statewide automotive program designed to improve training throughout Virginia. The company will donate training vehicles, aids, special tools, and technical resources to community colleges and career and technical academies, and benefit Virginia students no matter where they live.

"Volkswagen Group's generous donation will add value to the education of Northern Virginia Community College automotive technology students," said Milan Hayward, Special Assistant for Career and Technical Education, NOVA.

At the Excel Institute, Volkswagen Group will donate funds for life skills and technical training, helping to train students for high-demand, high-paying jobs in the automotive service industry.

"We are truly excited about our new strategic partnership with Volkswagen Group of America. Their commitment to the Washington, D.C. area and to our vocational education and training program are perfect examples and model of how strategic partnerships can make a difference for the residents of our region," said Jack Lyon, Chairman of the Excel Institute Board of Trustees.

With these programs, Volkswagen Group of America will train teachers so they can share knowledge on automotive safety and automotive environmental technology. Students will be able to visit job sites to see knowledge in action.

At the university level, Volkswagen Group will sponsor scholarships and faculty grants for students and professors committed to next-generation engineering.

Volkswagen Group will fund two scholarships at George Mason University's Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering.

"Volkswagen Group of America and George Mason University share an innovative spirit, making us natural partners," said Alan G. Merten, President of George Mason University. "We welcome Volkswagen Group as our new neighbor, and we hope that this is just the beginning of future collaborations between our organizations."

At the University of Virginia, Volkswagen Group will sponsor two full-time scholarships. One will support the elite Rodman undergraduate scholarship program. The second is for a fellowship program for graduate engineers.

"This partnership between Volkswagen Group of America and the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science will help benefit our school on several levels. It will make an international experience possible for our Rodman students and will benefit our research programs through support of a graduate fellowship. We are very appreciative of this support. Our desired goal is to become a valued enhancement to Volkswagen's effort. We are excited to have Volkswagen Group as a corporate partner," said James H. Aylor, Dean of the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science.

At Virginia Tech, the company will fund a five-year program focused on environmentally responsible technology, manufacturing and engineering. This program will focus on cutting-edge research, and students will have the opportunity to provide technical support for Volkswagen's Jetta TDI race series.