Harvard Joins State Drive On Computers

As part of a growing state effort to increase computer literacy. Harvard has begun providing vocational computer training through the University's extension program.

The new courses are designed to turn out computer professionals who "can go off and get entry level jobs," said Paul G. Bamberg, director of science instruction for continuing education. It is also intended, he said, for professionals who now require computer skills in their established careers.

Harvard's Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) program--and similar offerings at other Massachusetts universities are attempting to "debunk the myth that you have to be a math major to work with computers," said Michael R Paige, manager of Wang Laboratories "We want to redirect--people who have good back grounds in all field and make them more marketable," said Paige, who has worked as a curriculum consultant.

With the cooperation of the Massachusetts High Technology Council, a computer industry association, firms across the state are helping universities develop job-related computer curricula.

In Massachusetts, "there are not enough qualified candidates to fill high technology jobs," said Thomas P. Herman, director of Gov.-elect Michael Dukakis' issues task force.