Project LabProject Labandand

Project WorkProject WorkIssues and ExperiencesIssues and Experiences

at the Eszterházy Károly Collegeat the Eszterházy Károly College

dr. Emőd Kovács, emod@aries.ektf.hudr. Emőd Kovács, emod@aries.ektf.hudr. Gergő Kovásznai, kovasz@aries.ektf.hudr. Gergő Kovásznai, kovasz@aries.ektf.hu

dr. Gábor Kusper, gkusper@aries.ektf.hudr. Gábor Kusper, gkusper@aries.ektf.hu

OutlineOutline Project LabsProject Labs

Project WorkProject Work

Project SeminarProject Seminar

SummarySummary

Project LabsProject Labs

Project Lab CourseProject Lab Course, , the Austrian Examplethe Austrian Example

Fachhochschule HagenbergFachhochschule Hagenberg All informaticsAll informatics BSc BSc students have to learn students have to learn

this coursethis course, 2 , 2 semesterssemesters, 5-5 , 5-5 creditscredits Groups of Groups of 3-4 3-4 members with own project members with own project

lablab They work on industrial projects. They They work on industrial projects. They

develop develop software prototypessoftware prototypes and work on and work on feasibility studiesfeasibility studies..

Industrial partners usually ask them to Industrial partners usually ask them to develop the prototypes into market develop the prototypes into market software, but this is done by a spin-off software, but this is done by a spin-off company owned by them.company owned by them.

ProjektProjekt Lab Course Lab Course In Computer Science In Computer Science BSc:BSc:

– Not mandatoryNot mandatory, , it is open for talented studentsit is open for talented students– The project areThe project are::

Preparation for Young Researcher Forum Preparation for Young Researcher Forum Innovation projects founded by industrial partnersInnovation projects founded by industrial partners

Web programmer higher educational Web programmer higher educational vocational training:vocational training:– 0 0 hourshours, 5 , 5 creditscredits, , in the in the 3. 3. oror 4. 4. semestersemester– Groups of Groups of 4-54-5 members with own project lab members with own project lab– Projects:Projects:

software prototypessoftware prototypes and and feasibility studiesfeasibility studies

ProjektProjekt Labs Labs Microsoft Microsoft LabLab (5 PC (5 PCss, 5 MCP , 5 MCP booksbooks))

Robotics LabRobotics Lab (2 PC (2 PCss, 2 Lego robot kit), 2 Lego robot kit)

Competition ”Gym”Competition ”Gym” (4 PC (4 PCss))

Software Test LabSoftware Test Lab (1 (1 Sun serverSun server, 3 PC, 3 PCss))

Java Java LabLab (8 (8 thin clientsthin clients))

Project WorkProject Work AimAim::

– deepening theoretical knowledge by using it in deepening theoretical knowledge by using it in practicepractice– gain experience on team workgain experience on team work– earn reputation of our collegeearn reputation of our college

Project WorkProject Work The problemThe problem::

– In computer science In computer science BScBSc students learn lot of students learn lot of useful knowledge and techniques, but theiruseful knowledge and techniques, but their practical experience is not sufficientpractical experience is not sufficient!!

Possible solutionsPossible solutions::– Practical semesterPractical semester (BSc (BSc is only 6 semesteris only 6 semester ))– Cooperative studyCooperative study ( (only a few IT companyonly a few IT company are are

around in Eger around in Eger ))– Project Work Project Work

Software Test Lab 1.Software Test Lab 1. An office on An office on 66mm*6m*6m Hardware:Hardware:

– 1 1 blackboardblackboard, 6 , 6 tablestables + + chairschairs, 1 , 1 bookselfbookself

– 1 Sun 1 Sun serverserver, 3 PC, 3 PCss People-warePeople-ware::

– 6 6 studentsstudents + + 1 teacher1 teacher

Software Test Lab 2.Software Test Lab 2. ProjectProject::

– Find Find deadlockdeadlock in in .NET .NET byte codebyte code– Industrial partnerIndustrial partner: evoSoft Hungary Kft.: evoSoft Hungary Kft.– ResourceResource: : Innovational TaxInnovational Tax

Success storySuccess story::– 2. 2. place onplace on IBM 48 IBM 48 hours competitionhours competition– 1. 1. place on the local Young Researcher place on the local Young Researcher

ForumForum– 1 1 conference talkconference talk (IF 2008) (IF 2008)– 1 technical report1 technical report

ExperiencesExperiences Students gain new skills:Students gain new skills:

– TeamworkTeamwork– communication with the clientcommunication with the client– critical thinking: choice from many critical thinking: choice from many

alternativesalternatives Students learns techniques, which Students learns techniques, which

they know only in theory beforethey know only in theory before::– Version managementVersion management (subversion) (subversion)– Graphics librariesGraphics libraries (GraphViz, Glee) (GraphViz, Glee)

Project seminarProject seminar

Project seminarProject seminar The problemThe problem::

– Bad results on the National Young Researcher Bad results on the National Young Researcher Forum -> low ranking among universitiesForum -> low ranking among universities

– Unharmonized projectsUnharmonized projects– Separated research activitiesSeparated research activities

The solution, two foldsThe solution, two folds::– Communication, Communication, Communication, Communication,

CommunicationCommunication– Communication amongCommunication among

Teachers and StudentsTeachers and Students Teachers and TeachersTeachers and Teachers

– Applying for tenders like EU7Applying for tenders like EU7

Teachers and TeachersTeachers and Teachers Mat. – Inf. Institution Seminar:Mat. – Inf. Institution Seminar: The faculty members introduce their The faculty members introduce their

research topics to the faculty.research topics to the faculty. Started in 2007Started in 2007 Results: 11 joint publications with 2 or Results: 11 joint publications with 2 or

more faculty member.more faculty member. Applying for EU7 tender with the title:Applying for EU7 tender with the title:

““NURTURENURTURE: : New European researcher New European researcher generations: turning facilities accessible generations: turning facilities accessible for IBLS across bordersfor IBLS across borders”.”.

Teachers and StudentsTeachers and Students Preparation for Young Researcher Forum Preparation for Young Researcher Forum

(YRF) Course(YRF) Course Teachers introduce their research to Teachers introduce their research to

students and try to attract them to join his students and try to attract them to join his or her research.or her research.

Students introduce their projects and Students introduce their projects and teachers give them feedback how to teachers give them feedback how to proceed. proceed.

8 8 coursescourses, , 1-2 lectures by each course.1-2 lectures by each course. AimAim: 2-3 : 2-3 successful YRF applications.successful YRF applications.

SummarySummary

SummarySummary Students like to be involved in Students like to be involved in

project works.project works. The most successful projects are The most successful projects are

ordered by industrial partners. This ordered by industrial partners. This project are project are software prototypessoftware prototypes and and feasibility studies.feasibility studies.

Students can be motivated not Students can be motivated not only by money or credit points.only by money or credit points.

We need more communication!We need more communication!

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!