We are proud to announce that cosmographer Ridwan Amure has been selected for the 2024 Acxiom Diversity Scholarship program!

This year’s Acxiom Diversity Scholarship award marks its 12th year as a program, which awards the scholarship to 10 students nationwide. It provides $5,000 in aid for US students from diverse backgrounds that are studying graduate or higher technology degrees full-time. Acxiom is a tech company based in Conway, Arkansas, and with programs such as this it fosters education in computer sciences, informational sciences, and mathematics and engineering. The company’s initiative aims to increase equality by funding the education of the underprivileged or underrepresented. Ridwan, a PhD student in computer science, hails from Nigeria and is experienced in data science, machine learning, and data analytics. Ridwan goes into what his research entails and how this scholarship will help his educational path. 

“I am honored to have been awarded the Acxiom Diversity Scholarship,” says Ridwan. “This prestigious recognition reflects my dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. The scholarship not only supports my academic and professional aspirations but also underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in driving innovation. My research at the COSMOS Research Center has been instrumental in this journey, providing me with the platform to explore groundbreaking ideas and contribute to the field of machine learning and social media analysis. I am excited to continue my journey, leveraging this opportunity to further my research and inspire others from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue their passions in technology.”

Acxiom is not only a data-driven customer intelligence company—it is also part of the central Arkansas community. This scholarship continues to help provide students of all backgrounds who exemplify achievement and professional ambition in Acxiom’s field of study.

Dr. Agarwal said, “We are extremely grateful for Acxiom’s generous support of diversity efforts in STEM disciplines. These efforts help nurture the next generation of technology leaders. I am extremely delighted and proud of our COSMOS students (a.k.a. cosmographers), who have received the prestigious national Acxiom scholarships. Our students come from diverse backgrounds, and Acxiom scholarships help them achieve their dreams, goals, and aspirations!”