Successful companies are also leaders in their communities. Synopsys provides financial donations and encourages employee leadership and participation through a variety of corporate programs. Synopsys practices good citizenship worldwide, as all of our offices are encouraged to participate in local community projects. During fiscal year 2003, Synopsys employees logged 12,250 volunteer hours in their local communities. In addition, the Synopsys Foundation donated $1.26 million to non-profit partners during fiscal year 2003.
In order to focus Synopsys' efforts, we have adopted the central theme of education. Synopsys inspires the next generation of technology leaders by reaching out to local communities through support of education and science programs. For example, in 1999 the Synopsys Foundation helped to create the Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Outreach Foundation, which promotes interest in math and science through project-based learning for students in grades K-12. Offering a series of grants, and training and materials for teachers and students who develop projects for science competition, the Outreach Foundation participation has grown to include 136,000 Silicon Valley students and teachers since its inception.
The Synopsys University Program partners with more than 900 universities around the world to help develop a well-educated workforce of engineers to meet the difficult challenges of IC design. Participating schools are given low-cost access to Synopsys' state-of-the art EDA tools and technology to support teaching, enable academic research and foster innovation. By focusing its resources on education initiatives, Synopsys hopes to make a lasting and measurable difference in the fields it knows best.
Synopsys is also an active member of the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group (SVMG). SVMG's mission is to involve officers and senior managers of member companies in a cooperative effort with local, regional, state and federal government officials to address major public policy issues affecting the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley. Synopsys Chairman and CEO, Aart de Geus, is currently serving the second year of a two-year term as chairman of the board at SVMG. He supports SVMG's staff, member companies and board efforts to address the following five core issues: affordable housing, comprehensive transportation, reliable energy, quality education and a sustainable environment. This participation demonstrates Synopsys' willingness to actively engage in the development of a positive business and social environment in Silicon Valley.
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