San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) is proud to announce a transformative collaboration [AP1] with IBM that provides SFBU Capstone students majoring in business and computer science with direct access to IBM’s cutting-edge LinuxONE Community Cloud. This new relationship marks a significant step in enhancing SFBU’s commitment to delivering relevant, hands-on, industry-aligned experiences that prepare students to compete in today’s global economy.
Beginning this Fall, SFBU students engaged in their culminating Capstone projects can access IBM’s secure and scalable LinuxONE Community Cloud platform. This high-performance environment is designed to support the research and academic use of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in sectors ranging from fintech and healthcare to sustainability and cybersecurity.
"Collaborating with IBM opens new possibilities for our students to work with enterprise-grade tools while still in school,” said Dr. Ahmed Banafa, a distinguished professor at SFBU and the designated faculty liaison for IBM. “Giving students access to the IBM LinuxONE Community Cloud ensures they’re working in a secure, scalable, and real-world environment, which is essential for developing meaningful AI solutions. This kind of access is a game-changer for teaching, research, and innovation."
Dr. Banafa, an internationally recognized expert in emerging technologies, will guide students and faculty in maximizing the use of the IBM platform, ensuring their AI models not only meet academic standards but also address pressing global challenges with practical and scalable solutions.
The collaboration is also a testament to SFBU’s strategic work to forge close ties with Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem. With its campus located in the heart of the world’s tech capital, SFBU continues to leverage strategic relationships that prepare students with the technological fluency and leadership acumen needed in today’s workforce.
“Working with IBM is another example of how SFBU is integrating the power of Silicon Valley into the student experience,” said Dr. Brad Fuster, SFBU Provost. “Our goal is to produce graduates who are not only job-ready, but career-ready… tenacious leaders and tech trendsetters who can adapt, innovate, and drive progress across industries. Giving students access to enterprise-level AI tools directly supports that mission.”
The IBM LinuxONE Community Cloud is recognized for its robust capabilities in AI model development, including enhanced security, energy efficiency, and real-time analytics performance. Through this work, SFBU students will receive real-world exposure to deploying AI algorithms on mainframe environments, a skill that is increasingly in demand across data-intensive industries.
By combining academic rigor with hands-on access to world-class technology, SFBU and IBM are empowering students to bridge the gap between learning and doing. The collaboration underscores both institutions' shared work of advancing technological education and cultivating the next generation of ethical, purpose-driven innovators.
For more information about SFBU’s Capstone programs or the IBM collaboration, please contact:
Dr. Ahmed Banafa
San Francisco Bay University
ahmed.banafa@sfbu.edu
www.sfbu.edu
