Bill Gates to deliver keynote address at Carnegie Mellon event

Bill Gates to deliver keynote address at Carnegie Mellon event

Carnegie Mellon University has announced Bill Gates, co-chair and trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and chairman of Microsoft, will be the keynote speaker at a dedication ceremony scheduled to be held on September 22.

The Gates Center for Computer Science and the Hillman Center for Future-Generation Technologies will house classrooms, research space and offices for the university's world-renowned School of Computer Science (SCS).

"[These buildings] have been designed from the ground up to meet the needs of our computer science students and faculty, whose work continues to transform science, society and the arts," says Carnegie Mellon president Jared L. Cohon.

Meanwhile, SCS dean Randal E. Bryant stresses how the new centers will serve the entire campus community, reflecting Carnegie Mellon's tradition of collaboration between schools and across disciplines.

Labor market experts say technology is among the fastest growing employment areas in the U.S. and worldwide, so those who would like to switch to a better-paying career are encouraged to explore degree programs in computer science or engineering.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for computer and information scientists is projected to grow by 22 percent, with top salaries exceeding $144,880.