Hi,
First of I am grateful for this chance to "Fungua roho". I think after 2 years from campus I have changed on my views on what I thought. One things change very fast. In that period I have found myself developing applications for a hospital, a construction company and businesses. In both cases I have been forced to very fast learn what those are all about. 2 years ago I thought ODE was useless but know I know better. Real computer science to me is providing solutions to the many challenges in the society.

My suggestion wouldn't be more to a change in curriculum but the universities or colleges creating an environment for students to learn on their own and benefit the community. I look forward to a time where computer science students be charged with responsibilities of providing IT Solutions for schools, hospitals and any other institution that may need a service.

A project to me won't be working on think which you don't have an idea if it can work, but you are just doing to pass. I would suggest that we should work on IT Solutions in a very basic but in a way that will benefit the community. I have discovered that we spend much time thinking about things that in no way affects our day to day living. We know so much but very little is put to use.

Regards Richard Gathogo.
+254752847158
+4521843194
Java Developer,
Skype: muraguri2005

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 5:55 PM, Geoffrey Mimano <soyfactor@gmail.com> wrote:

Computer science student need to do a lot of Math!

On 22 February 2011 17:50, Shadrack Mwaniki <shadrack_mwaniki@yahoo.com> wrote:

For those computer science graduates who want to be taught how to think, start by reviewing the Turing thesis and P vs NP problem.
if you can add something to the two, you will contribute greatly to the computer science field
.................................................................
 my two cents.

The most important aspect of the computer science programme that has helped me is the theoretical concept that we were taught
Due to the detailed and very comprehensive theory that we were taught, i dont have to worry about a new programming language, Operating systems, mobile tools, frameworks e.t.c
All i need is to remember the principals of a programming language, look of the manual of the new language and then i am done. In two weeks i am confortable with the new technology
The problem is the students who should not have done computer science end up doing it because it is marketable. Universities can never and will never train graduates for specific products. Instead, universities give theoretical and conceptual aspects that enables students fit in specific job requirements

Imagine the following
1. If universities taught about electricity (so that students can work in KPLC), how would Farady have invented the current? We would not be having electricity
2. If Engineers are taught about cars, where would cars have come from? Remeber the cars on the road today owe their existense to the three newton laws of motion

What needs to be done for computer science programmes is to come up with ways and means to ensure the students conceptualize and understand the relation between
the products that come out of computer science theoretical aspects.

In fact the following key areas should be emphasized
1.Automata theory and complexity
2. Computational Complexity
3. Computability complexity
3. Analysis of algorithms (How many developers/Programmers do this?)
4. Number theoretic
5. Principles of Programming Languages
6. Compilers and Interpreters

......




 

---

From: Joram Mwinamo <joram.mwinamo@gmail.com>

To: Skunkworks Mailing List <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke>

Sent: Tue, February 22, 2011 4:39:56 PM

Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] Computer Science Curriculum Development

I cant resist contributing to this.

First and foremost i commend Simon Mbuthia for doing a noble thing and his university as well that wants to link its courses to reality, market research, so most of you should contribute in terms of where you see your computer science studies having prepared you or messed you up.

I havent practised anything technical in comp science but still find myself more updated than your regular graduate because i read latest publications , trends and concepts. Recently I was looking for an ICT strategist and couldnt evaluate a single person from this whole network and realised they lack significantly from the market, hence its difficult to get people who can translate business concepts to technological requirements regardless of the specific vendor the technology is coming from.

My contribution is that the more fundamental problem for me was the exposure of lecturers and how delinked they were from the marketplace reality. A friend told me how its not in the job description of Lecturers to do research and publish....which is unbelievable!!!

I would have been interested in doing a course that would link all my comp science stuff to creating solutions for a mobile,geographically dispersed and majorly poor africa regardless of whether its programming or networking or algorithms.

University should teach us to think of where to find solutions or create concepts, not teach us the final answer because reality and technology changes but fundamental things in life do not. Also if universities could have market experts who are day to day practitioners invited to give talks within classes, and more real life AFRICAN case studies that would be super!

Over and out

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 4:20 PM, Theus Owuor <kootie73@gmail.com> wrote:

Better software development skills

On Feb 21, 2011 4:16 PM, "Simon Mbuthia" <simon.mbuthia@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello techies,
>
> I have been invited by my Alma Mater for a brainstorming session with a view
> to improve their Computer Science degree program. I thought it would be a
> good thing to first of all hear from employers and supervisors of Computer
> Science degree holders what they think most graduates lack that would be
> worth considering when coming up with a computer science degree program.
>
> Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Muchas gracias,
>
> Me.

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Mobile : +254 723 615 206

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