IT Capstone Showcase allows students to mingle and meet corporate sponsors

NJIT's Capstone Showcase in Information Technology will feature teams of students detailing current or recent projects developed for regional corporate sponsors, non-profit organizations and students' entrepreneurs. Admission to this unique semi-annual open house, set for Dec. 3, 2008, 11 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. in NJIT's Campus Center Atrium, is free.

The region's business men and corporate leaders are encouraged to stop by to learn more about how NJIT students can help their businesses grow.

Osama Eljabiri, senior university lecturer at NJIT, founded the program in 2002 for NJIT's College of Computing Sciences. Classes operate as virtual companies with students elected as CEOs. Market-driven training covers everything from business and leadership skills to hands-on technical workshops. A capstone team in a corporation can save, and has saved, many companies hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"The goal of this leadership-focused program," said Eljabiri, "is to empower students with advanced career-driven training and unique real world experiences. To date, the program has been successful boosting students' confidence, professionalism plus their social, technical, presentation and communication skills." The showcase often acts as a vast networking opportunity allowing students of all ages to interact with corporate managers and others.

Seniors and juniors from NJIT's College of Computing Sciences run most of the booths, although some workers might include even middle and high school students.

Since 2002, the very popular program has become a network of networks of more than 300 value-added industry connections and learning communities-- ranging in age from sixth grade to doctorates.

The Carnegie Foundation named Eljabiri New Jersey Professor of the Year in 2007 for developing the program. To date, 350 student teams – more than 2,000 students - have participated in 350 projects. The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) administers the US Professor of the Year program. For more information about the award, please visit www.usprofessorsoftheyear.org.

NJIT, New Jersey's science and technology university, at the edge in knowledge, enrolls more than 8,000 students in bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in 92 degree programs offered by six colleges: Newark College of Engineering, New Jersey School of Architecture, College of Science and Liberal Arts, School of Management, Albert Dorman Honors College and College of Computing Sciences. NJIT is renowned for expertise in architecture, applied mathematics, wireless communications and networking, solar physics, advanced engineered particulate materials, nanotechnology, neural engineering and e-learning. In 2006, Princeton Review named NJIT among the nation's top 25 campuses for technology and top 150 for best value. U.S. News & World Report's 2007 Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges ranked NJIT in the top tier of national research universities.