J.B. Thompson

Workshop on achieving a world-wide software engineering profession

The prime aim of the workshop is to provide a forum to consider the global dimensions. of a Software Engineering Profession and determinethe relevance and usefulness of IFIPs initiative concerning harmonization. In achieving this aim our objectives are to examine: The current situation with regard to certification of licensing in different countries; The drivers and constraints regarding Software Engineering Professionalism; and to determine: The extent to which world-wide Software Engineering Professionalism is achievable (particularly in the light of IFIPs proposals) Possible strategy(ies) that would assist in achieving such world-wide Software Engineering Professionalism.

Workshop on Best Practice in Software Engineering: The Role of Industry in Software Engineering Education and Training

The workshop will provide the initial inputs to a project that is being funded under the UK National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) which is concerned with enhancing the education that supports IT professionals. The project involves:

Overview and Introduction to the Workshop: The Roles of Student Projects and Work Experience in Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes

The areas of student projects and work experience in undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes provide a focus for this open event. The key objectives set for the activities are (i) to gain information on specific instances of: project-based classes, capstone course(s), and student work, (ii) to gain an understanding of: beneficiaries and benefits, constraints, risks and challenges, and resources that are needed and those actually provided, (iii) to undertake evaluations - both pros and cons.

Reflections on a UK Masters level software engineering programme intended for the home and international market

There are currently insufficient skilled software engineers to meet the needs of industry across the world. Intensive taught Masters level programmes represent one solution to this shortfall. One such programme is the MSc in Software Engineering offered by the University of Sunderland in the UK. This was developed to satisfy student needs both within and outside the European Union.. The constraints and challenges that needed to be addressed in the development of the programme are outlined. The programme and the various pathways through it are described. Student feedback on the programme is reported. The programme is evaluated and some of the lessons learned since its inception in 1999 are reviewed.

Workshop on developing software engineering courses using computing curriculum 2001 (CC 2001) documentation

There is a clear need to develop Software Engineering courses to meet local, national and international needs. Recently a joint task force of the IEEE Computer Society and the ACM have been engaged in producing undergraduate curricula and associated documentation known as Computing Curriculum 2001 (CC 2001). For this to be accepted there needs to be involvement by the wider community and evaluation should be undertaken to determine the usefulness of the parts of CC 2001 that is relate to Software Engineering. In this workshop the prime aim will be to evaluate the use of CC 2001 in the development of Software Engineering courses. A final outcome of the workshop will be the production of a report detailing the major recommendations relevant to the aim and the topics considered. This will be circulated to participants and a paper based on it will submitted for journal publication.

Workshop on developing graduate and postgraduate software engineering courses

In this workshop the prime aim will be to determine a set of guidelines that can be used in the development of graduate and postgraduate Software Engineering courses. In achieving this aim the our objectives are to examine: Curricula: soft and hard optionsCore and non core subjects and the place for optionalityRelationship with research specialismsDelivery modes and teaching and learning mechanismsAssessmentMeeting the needs of industry: with regard to existing and new staffThe role of professional bodies and aspects relating to accreditation and licensing.

Overview and Introduction to the Workshop on Best Practice in Software Engineering: The Role of Industry in Software Engineering

The interactions between Industry and Universities are examined in this open event with the aim of producing inputs to an international project that is concerned with gaining knowledge of industrial Software Engineering (SE) practices together with the development of a framework that will assist in the classification and evaluation of such practices. The key objectives for the workshop are to (i) identify the types and range of interaction between industry and academia, which enable knowledge to be gained of industrial SE practices, (ii) identify those areas in SE where best practices are most likely to be found, (iii) identify the mechanisms which could be used in the analysis of the interactions between industry and academia and which would assist in the classification and evaluation of industrial SE practices, and (iv) produce a prototype framework which would support these evaluation activities.

University Reachout - The Role of Guest Speakers in Communicating with Industry and Other Institutions A Position Paper

The importance of external inputs into academic environments is highlighted and the actions that have been taken by the School of Computing and Technology at the University of Sunderland to ensure that external speakers are invited from industry and academia to come and give a fresh view on issues related to computing and technology are outlined. Details are then presented on the three series of guest lectures that have been instituted by the School: (i) Distinguished Speaker series, (ii) Practitioner Series, (iii) BCS SocioTech (North) series.

Workshop on teaching ethics in software engineering programmes

To operate effectively in today¿s volatile software industry, graduates from Software Engineering programmes need to be equipped with knowledge of both real world situations and best Software Engineering practice. This knowledge should include relevant aspects of ethical, professional, and legal issues and there should be recognition that facing ethical dilemmas is highly likely to be an integral part of the graduate¿s eventual career.

Workshop on Establishing a Distance Education Programme

The workshop on establishing a distance education programme will initially focus on a conventional software engineering module. The workshop participants will examine how their experiences of/interest in distance education can suggest a way forward in tailoring this module for a world wide delivery mechanism. The objectives of the workshop are: to determine how to turn existing courses into distance modes, to evaluate the implications of cultural issues (in establishing the programmes and in the delivery of material), to determine how to ensure the quality of courses, to determine how to ensure comparability of experience for students, and to assess the range of delivery mechanisms which have been tried and assessed.