Riccardo Cafa*gna on LinkedIn: A significant milestone in my professional journey has been reached as I… (2024)

Shaping the Future of Engineering Education: Beyond Tool Operation to InnovationIn the swiftly changing technological landscape, the significance of engineering and technology education cannot be overstated. It aims to build foundational skills, inspire innovative thinking, and ready students to be creators and solution finders in the tech world. Yet, engineering colleges and universities in India are witnessing a worrying trend that might dilute the essence of technology education.By the 6th semester, students often exhibit a notable gap in foundational skills, a consequence of an academic approach that falls short in delivering comprehensive knowledge, practical application, and skill enhancement. This deficiency leads placement officers to opt for quick-fix solutions like tool or software certification courses (e.g., Pega, Salesforce) for student placements. These certifications, while providing an expedited job market entry, focus on low-code or operational skills rather than the engineering or technical skills that students are meant to acquire.Such short-term benefits may restrict students to operational roles, potentially stunting their career growth. Instead of becoming engineers capable of solution design and technology development, they end up as mere tool operators. The high costs of these certifications obscure the reality, misleading students about their career trajectory.This situation reflects not only on placement process challenges but also on a deeper academic framework issue, indicating a disconnect between the curriculum and industry demands. Placement officers, driven by the need to maintain successful placement records, might adopt strategies that do not serve students' long-term educational or career interests.This approach's implications extend beyond students to the industry, risking a workforce ill-equipped for innovation and technological progress. Historical instances, such as the obsolescence of mainframe or manual testing skills, underscore the dangers of not aligning with the tech evolution.Academia and placement officers must reconsider their strategies, shifting focus from placement statistics to fostering engineers and technocrats capable of innovation. The goal is to train solution architects who can tackle challenges across various domains with AI's advent, embodying the true spirit of engineering education. This change is crucial not just for enhancing educational quality but for ensuring students' sustainable and rewarding careers, ultimately benefiting societal technological advancement.The critical question remains: Are we preparing students to be pioneering engineers or settling for creating tool operators? Our decisions today will significantly influence tomorrow's technological landscape.

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"Centralized test for IT graduates organized by PSEB & HEC"Hello LinkedIn Connections,In my previous post, I shared the results of the mentioned exam and expressed my intention to discuss my experience further. The examination, administered by Virtual University and other institutions across their campuses nationwide, primarily consisted of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).🖥 Test environment and time management:The exam is entirely computer-based and lasts for 120 minutes (2 hours). No external materials, such as calculators or paper sheets, are permitted inside the computer lab. However, there's no need to worry as Virtual University furnishes all essential materials, including paper sheets for rough work, and a calculator is readily available on the computer provided for use during the exam.📖 Test Syllabus: As commonly understood, this exam aims to assess students' understanding of fundamental software engineering principles. Consequently, it covers topics taught within our respective degree programs (BS-IT). There's no requirement to seek out additional or exceptional course materials for preparation, as the exam content aligns with what has been covered in our curriculum.❓ What do I mean by basic S.E principles?When referring to the core knowledge of software engineering principles, I meant familiarity with fundamental subjects in computer science or your specific discipline. These typically include topics such as Programming Fundamentals, Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Database Management Systems, Operating Systems, and Computer Networks.✨Types of problems and difficulty level:The exam problems were structured according to their respective subjects, although they might have been organized randomly in different circ*mstances. Overall, I didn't find the problems overly challenging, to the point of being unable to solve them within the allotted time. Success largely depended on your technical assessment skills and familiarity with the subject matter.💫 Tips & todos:Keep your preparation on track by following the HEC-provided course materials and roadmap. Solving up to at least intermediate-level programming and data structure problems.Practically implementing and visualizing the databases to solve scenario-based problems.Revising famous algorithms, their time complexities, functionalities, and applications.Problem-solving and analytical skills practice.🗒 Ending note!I have simply recounted my experiences as a student, with the sole aim of assisting other students in aligning their progress with the specific requirements of the exam. It's essential to note that the information provided in this post may vary over time and should not be considered static.If you find this post helpful and it aligns with your interests, I encourage you to connect with me.#pseb #hec #computerscience #informationtechnology #internshipopportunity #apprenticeships

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This IEEE Service-Learning Program Is More Popular Than Ever: Since its founding in 1995 at Purdue University, the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) in IEEE program has been providing nonprofit organizations with technology to improve and deliver services to their community while broadening undergraduate EE students’ hands-on experiences. In 2009 the EPICS program was brought to IEEE by Moshe Kam, an IEEE Fellow and the 2005–2007 vice president of IEEE Educational Activities; Senior Member Kapil Dandekar; and Fellow Saurabh Sinha. Together they founded EPICS in IEEE as an IEEE Educational Activities program. Funding for the program came from a seed grant through the IEEE New Initiatives Committee. This year the program marks its 15th anniversary.“When we created EPICS in IEEE,” Dandekar says, “we were very eager to align the perspective of service-learning from the EPICS program at Purdue with IEEE’s mission to foster technological innovation for the benefit of humanity.“I am particularly proud of the continuing stakeholder engagement by engineers with humanitarian organizations in shaping projects. I firmly believe that this leads to a better learning experience for the engineering students and a more useful outcome for the humanitarian partner organization.”During the past 15 years, more than 219 projects in 34 countries have been completed, involving more than 11,000 students in service-learning projects. Of those students, 47 percent identified as female.“EPICS in IEEE has played a key role in expanding the global reach of projects in which engineering students bring their learning and skills to bear in addressing challenges faced by their local communities,” says Leah Jamieson, 2007 IEEE president and a cofounder of EPICS at Purdue, which is in West Lafayette, Ind. “By tackling community needs in the areas of access and abilities, education and outreach, human services, and the environment, students participating in EPICS in IEEE are gaining firsthand experience in marrying engineering and community. Project by project, they are contributing to IEEE’s goal of advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.”A focus on learning outcomesThe program differs from other humanitarian efforts within IEEE because of its focus on engineering-student learning outcomes as well as the benefits to the local communities.“EPICS in IEEE is a perfect way to merge engineering education and engagement,” Sinha says. “It provides an opportunity for universities to connect their students’ educational experiences to support the U.N. sustainable development goals.“I’ve had the privilege of seeing EPICS in IEEE in many countries,” he adds, “and enjoyed the globalizing benefit that the program brought to all parties involved.” The projects include a recycling center to reduce plastic waste at Ankole Institute, in southwestern Uganda. The center was built… http://dlvr.it/T22kvV

Posting the new and improved version of my CS related degrees guide, along with some takeaways. I've created this picture with side by side comparison of the courses of the 7 CS related BS degrees. It will help in clarifying the difference, clearing misconceptions and and choosing the program. It will also help students in understanding their degrees and what they cover. All of them cover nearly all the important CS Core Courses, so they provide foundations to pursue any area of CS. The difference is the range of available electives and 6 Core courses, that replace 6 relatively less important theoretical CS, hardware and mathematics courses in CS degree. You can do same jobs after any of these, especially if you do some self-learning.File Link:https://lnkd.in/dNjUwU8GCS Vs SE:SE is an area of CS that is about software development process. It is taught in CS degree as one course, which covers fundamentals of all SE core courses. Having those courses in SE is a bit redundant but still makes SE core courses bit more relevant to software development. However in CS mostly a wider range of electives are offered, especially AI related ones. SE is mostly not considered a real engineering. You don't need to do SE to become a Software Engineer.AI Vs DS:They have a lot of overlap with core courses of one being electives of the other one, so it won't matter much, what you choose. DS leans slightly more towards Data Analytics and AI leans slightly more towards AI/ML.CS Vs AI/DS:You can pursue AI/DS with CS degree by taking AI/DS electives. Few of the AI/DS courses are more important and you'll probably be able to take all or most of those in CS degree, and you'll have flexibility of choosing any CS electives at that time. However, if someone is really interested in AI/DS then they could be a good choice too and would give some advantage in pursuing AI/ML through relatively more AI/ML courses, degree title and exposure from the start. Career in other CS areas can still be pursued.CS/SE Vs CE:CE is a combination of Computer Science and Electrical/Electronics Engineering. The CE extra core courses are related to Electronics/Hardware and Signal Processing. The CE electives include both CS/Software related and Electronics/Hardware related ones. You can do either Software or Hardware related job. Most of CE graduates pursue CS/Software careers, so CS might be better for most, unless you are also interested in Robotics, Embedded Systems, IoT and Electronics etc.DS/AI Vs CY:I believe DS/AI has relatively more opportunities. However if you have interest in Cyber-Security then it could be nice as it will teach you a lot more about Cyber-Security than CS. Career in other CS areas can still be pursued.CS/SE Vs IT:Overall CS/SE might be a little better with more range of good electives. However, it's quite close to them with some focus on IT, Systems, Cloud and Networking.

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Reliance Foundation is inviting applications for its prestigious postgraduate scholarships that aim to nurture world-class talent. Applications are open to first-year postgraduate students in nine fields of study that aim to reimagine and build India’s growth.Mr. Jagannatha Kumar, CEO, Reliance Foundation said, “India’s youth are well-poised to shape the nation’s progress in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship will identify and empower the country’s brightest young minds who can think big, think green, think digital for the benefit of society. We aim to create a cohort of excellence every year to power India’s new era of growth.” First-year postgraduate students pursuing full-time courses in nine disciplines: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics & Computing, Electrical and/or Electronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable & New Energy, Material Science & Engineering and Life Sciences are eligible to apply. Last date 17 December, 2023.Read the media release here: https://lnkd.in/dxQ649ue#RelianceFoundationScholarships #RelianceFoundationPostgraduateScholarships #MediaRelease #RelianceFoundation

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While many certification courses come with associated fees, there are some free international certification courses and programs available online that cover a wide range of engineering fields. Keep in mind that these offerings may not always lead to formal certification but can still provide valuable knowledge and skills. Here are some platforms and programs to explore:Free international certification courses1. Coursera: Coursera offers numerous free courses from top universities. While certifications are typically not free, you can audit courses for free to gain knowledge.2. edX: Similar to Coursera, edX provides access to courses from universities and institutions worldwide. Many courses can be audited for free.3. MIT OpenCourseWare: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers a wide range of free online courses, including engineering and technology subjects.4. Stanford Online: Stanford University provides free online courses in various engineering disciplines.5. Harvard Online Learning: Harvard University offers free online courses in engineering and related fields.6. Khan Academy: Khan Academy provides free, self-paced courses in science and engineering subjects.7. Alison: Alison offers free online courses in a variety of engineering and technology areas, with the option to earn certificates for free.8. Google IT Support Professional Certificate: While not specific to engineering, Google offers this program to help individuals gain skills in IT support. It's available on Coursera and includes a free option for access to the course materials.9. Microsoft Learn: Microsoft offers free learning paths and certifications related to its technologies, including Azure and cloud engineering.10. NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning): NPTEL, an initiative by the Indian Institutes of Technology, provides free online courses in engineering and technology.Please note that while these courses can enhance your knowledge and skills, they may not always provide formal certifications recognized by professional organizations. If you're seeking recognized certifications for your engineering field, you may need to explore paid options or consider certifications from relevant engineering associations or councils.🤝 SHARE AND SUPPORT US 🤝@engineeringsources🆓 Feel free to use our content just give credit

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DAY 54/101 OF LEARNING SYSTEM DESIGN LETS SEE THE O IN SOLID PRINCIPLE OF LOW LEVEL DESIGNThe Open/Closed Principle (OCP) is one of the SOLID principles of object-oriented design and programming. This principle, introduced by Bertrand Meyer, states that software entities such as classes, modules, and functions should be open for extension but closed for modification.In simpler terms, the Open/Closed Principle encourages designing systems in a way that allows for adding new functionality through extension without altering existing code. This promotes a modular and extensible architecture, making the system more adaptable to changes.Key points of the Open/Closed Principle:1. Open for Extension:- The "open" part of the principle implies that the behavior of a module can be extended or enhanced.- New functionality can be added without modifying the existing code.2. Closed for Modification:- The "closed" part signifies that the existing code is not altered to accommodate new functionality.- Once a module is complete, its source code should remain unchanged.3. Abstraction and Polymorphism:- Achieving the Open/Closed Principle often involves using abstraction and polymorphism.- By relying on interfaces, abstract classes, and inheritance, new functionality can be introduced without modifying existing code.4. Benefits of OCP:- Code stability: Existing code remains untouched, reducing the risk of introducing bugs.- Easy maintenance: Changes and additions are localized to new code, making the system more maintainable.- Extensibility: The system is designed to accommodate future extensions, promoting scalability.Example(BELOW IMAGE):Consider a drawing application with different shapes. Instead of modifying the existing code each time a new shape is added, the Open/Closed Principle suggests creating an extensible design:In the revised example, new shapes can be added by creating classes that extend the `Shape` class, adhering to the Open/Closed Principle.Embracing the Open/Closed Principle fosters software designs that are resilient to change, scalable, and more adaptable to evolving requirements.

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Title: Data Science in Education: Enhancing Learning Outcomes and Personalized EducationIn the ever-evolving landscape of education, the integration of Data Science stands as a pivotal force, reshaping traditional paradigms and fostering a new era of personalized learning. This blog delves into the transformative impact of Data Science in education, exploring its potential to enhance learning outcomes and provide tailored educational experiences for students.Unlocking Insights with Data Analytics:Educational institutions are accumulating vast amounts of data, ranging from student performance metrics to engagement patterns. Data Science techniques enable educators to sift through this wealth of information, uncovering valuable insights into how students learn. By analyzing trends and identifying learning patterns, educators can make informed decisions to optimize teaching methodologies.Personalized Learning Experiences:One of the significant advantages of integrating Data Science in education is the ability to tailor learning experiences to individual needs. Adaptive learning platforms, driven by sophisticated algorithms, can assess a student's strengths and weaknesses. This data-driven approach enables the delivery of personalized content, ensuring that students receive the right level of challenge and support, ultimately maximizing their learning potential.Empowering Educators:Data Science empowers educators by providing tools for data-driven decision-making. Educators can identify successful teaching strategies, track the effectiveness of different interventions, and continuously refine their approaches based on evidence. This collaborative synergy between educators and data science fosters a culture of continuous improvement in teaching practices.The Future Landscape of Education:As we embrace the era of data-driven education, the future holds promise for a more inclusive and adaptive learning environment. The intersection of technology and education is paving the way for a personalized educational experience that caters to the unique needs of each student, ultimately enhancing overall learning outcomes.In conclusion, the integration of Data Science in education is not just a technological advancement but a paradigm shift in how we approach teaching and learning. It is a catalyst for creating educational experiences that are not only effective but also tailored to the individual, thereby shaping a more empowered and successful generation of learners. Stay tuned as we continue to explore the exciting developments at the intersection of Data Science and Education.

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𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐓I was recently asked to explain the distinction between computer science (CS) and information technology (IT), so I thought I'd summarize my thoughts here:𝘿𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙄𝙏 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚:Imagine Computer Science (CS) as the architect who designs the blueprint of a building, balancing theory and practical application. On the other hand, information technology (IT) is like the skilled construction team, focusing more on bringing the architect's vision to life with practical applications.CS delves into a wide array of computer-related topics, while IT explores creative and innovative uses of fundamental concepts. CS often involves a more robust math background, while IT uses math mainly for practical tasks like data analysis.In a way, you can think of IT as a specialized sub-division of CS, with unique aspects like integrated programming and system administration. Interestingly, in India, the distinction between IT and CS courses can sometimes be a bit blurry.𝙎𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨:Now, if you're wondering about similarities, both IT and CS don't involve hardware repair; instead, they focus on the art of programming. It's like having two different artists use similar tools to create unique masterpieces.𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖:In the Indian educational landscape, IT branches emerged to meet the soaring demand for CS. Some argue for increasing CS seats, but the practicality of having two smaller branches seems to win, creating more opportunities for aspiring tech enthusiasts.𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙊𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨:Elite colleges offer similar opportunities for both IT and CS students. While there might be an initial perception that IT is inferior to CS, my experience suggests that with hard work, dedication, and passion for programming, both can lead to remarkable success.I came across a fascinating case study at NITK, Surathkal, one of the best IT branches in India. Over time, the quality of IT education has risen, and now companies don't differentiate between IT and CS graduates. Student activities, core courses, and practical components often align closely in both disciplines.𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮:So, if you have the chance to dive into computer science, that's fantastic! But if your journey leads you to information technology and you have a love for programming, don't worry; success is within reach. Remember, it's not the branch that defines your success but your hard work, dedication, and the passion you bring to the table. Great programmers can emerge from various branches, proving that the tech world welcomes talent from diverse backgrounds.Please feel free to discuss your ideas or any past tech-related experiences! For more, follow Kamesh Turkar.#CommunityEngagement #ProfessionalNetworking#ITvsCS #TechTalk #CareerAdvice

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📃Scientific paper: A systematic literature review of capstone courses in software engineeringAbstract:Tertiary education institutions aim to prepare their computer science andsoftware engineering students for working life.While much of the technicalprinciples are covered in lower-level courses, team-based capstone projects area common way to provide students with hands-on experience and teach softskills.This paper explores the characteristics of software engineeringcapstone courses presented in the literature.The goal of this work is tounderstand the pros and cons of different approaches by synthesising thevarious aspects of software engineering capstone courses and relatedexperiences.In a systematic literature review for 2007-2022, we identified 127primary studies.These studies were analysed based on their presented coursecharacteristics and the reported course outcomes.The characteristics weresynthesised into a taxonomy consisting of duration, team sizes, client andproject sources, project implementation, and student assessment.We found outthat capstone courses generally last one semester and divide students intogroups of 4-5 where they work on a project for a client.For a slight majorityof courses, the clients are external to the course staff and students are oftenexpected to produce a proof-of-concept level software product as the main enddeliverable.The courses also offer versatile assessments for studentsthroughout the project.This paper provides researchers and educators with aclassification of characteristics of software engine... Discover the rest of the scientific article on es/iode ➡️https://etcse.fr/3sDiu