One thing i have to say Avinash, you are right UOM has a long way to go. Hope that you are the guy who is going to bring a mega change in the way programming is taught as UOM. Personally I have done a module with you last YEAR. the environment that SQUEAK provides is fantastic as you say. this is much better.
One more thing, if all lecturers thing in the same way that you think, UOM ti pou tro top. Since last year, i am working with another lecturer. He is also a good lecturer. Mo croire ou p partage sa bane lesprit la are li. Of course he is next to youyr office. Hope you can guest. TIPS: P…..
Wish you all the best avinash. Try to change all things that you see is not gud at UOM ,surtous COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT.
Thanks. It is important for you to understand that I don’t have the pretention to change the CS dept. What I want is TO CHANGE YOU, STUDENTS OF THE CS DEPT :-)
I want you all to realise that Computer Science is beautiful, that programming is Art and that you should discover your own way to CS nirvana :-)
I do this (i) by introducing interesting languages, environments, concepts frequently and (ii) by sharing my enthusiasm (and, ahem, my scientific rigour) to you.
Nice to know that some students appreciate what I do :-)
To Ravi:
Lecturing is boring… if you teach the same thing year in year out. Personally, since I’ve joined UoM I’ve changed the modules I teach every year.
This year, I’m teaching a yearly module, Parallel Processing, to Year III students for the first time. And I have to tell you that it’s tough because I’m just learning Parallel Processing in depth now :-)
But, as we all know, it’s only when you teach something that you really understand it…
Yes avinash. I understand that What You want is TO CHANGE YOU, STUDENTS OF THE CS DEPT.
Yes programming is in fact an ART.
Since many students learn programming since they need to do it in order to save their life. Think that those quy/young girls in tombe dans CSE department in order to have a job at the Cybercity.
As avinash say Life is tooooooo short to do sometning that you don’t like.
Come on guys realise that you are coming out with a first class and only know this by heart. This is not the way a real Computer Scientist behave.
Thanks AVINASH :-)
Like many, i subscribe to what has been said above. but isn’t this utopia? Frankly, do you truly believe students of UoM to adopt this true academic mindset, driven by true knowledge and not the pursuit of a few miserable CPA credit? Let’s be true, you can’t change the system. No one can, nor will. UoM is just a course-dispensing machine to my opinion. More than once, you’ve mentioned about the way students and lecturers behave in universities abroad, how they interact, how the knowledge is spread (..no spoon-feeding) but the system is not conducive to same in mauritius. Are we, students, given the right tools to achieve what you dream of for us? I’m sceptic about it.. The very way our courses are designed lead us to nowhere but bookish knowledge. A lot of contents, little hands-on practice, obsolete technologies (till recently),…
But still, i think that there should be some to stand and fight for a change. I believe you to be one of them, and so, all credits to you. But, can you give us more than dreams? will you inspire us enough to trigger the will to learn? I do hope so.
I was watching a programme on CNN some hours ago. Some bright kids (the founders of Facebook and Flickr actually) were explaining to some people at Davos how our new world works. And I said to my wife:
“No one is understanding those kids!”
I meant that the world is moving so fast now (especially with the so-called Web 2.0 revolution) that only YOU, bright kids of today, really understand what is really happening. Even I, at 33, am perhaps too old.
The technology that will be used tomorrow will be invented by people of your age. And, for your own good, you better be among those inventors and creators.
As you said, my job is to make you dream. That’s it! And your job is to make this dream become reality for you ;-)
I agree with my friend Sundeep. Li cone moi bien.
Sorry to say this but UOM is crapped. Just like avinash says.
Students at UOM have only in mind their CPA. thay want a first class, what’s this.
Only know things by heart.
Crapped system.
One friend of mine is a team leader at ACCENTURE. He was a student at UOM. Now his has noticed that students coming from UTM are better tahn student at UOM. He agrees that many student at UOM know things only by heart but can not put it into practice.
Nice to know that you back my thoughts. But the thing is not about UoM, it’s about the very academic culture of mauritius (or the absence of it i should say). The whole thing is so sick & stale!
About me knowing you (or vice versa), would you care to refresh my memories? I understand that there is another Sundeep (spelt the same way) at UoM. Maybe you’re mistaking me for him. I’m Sundeep Tengur, ‘Sauron’ my friends use to call me. ..for LoTR connoisseurs :)
And to Avinash: it’s not too late to start a revolution even now, all we need is the right ingredients :p. And about inspiring students, it reminds me of this wonderful movie “Le cercle des poetes disparus”.
At DCDM, I did a lot of software development and also a lot of support. At MCCI and now at the UoM, in addition to my normal teaching, I also was (and now am) the IT Manager (except that I don’t earn any money to do that at UoM)
I manage servers (I have three at the UoM), I look after the network and I make sure the clients work well (I have around 50 Linux clients to look after)
But the one common thing is that I do (and have been doing for the past 8 years) a lot of Research & Development. I did it at DCDM. I did it at MCCI. And now I’m doing it at UoM.
So I guess I would be doing R&D somewhere… Maybe at Google :-)
Stephane says
22 January 2007 at 17:40One thing i have to say Avinash, you are right UOM has a long way to go. Hope that you are the guy who is going to bring a mega change in the way programming is taught as UOM. Personally I have done a module with you last YEAR. the environment that SQUEAK provides is fantastic as you say. this is much better.
One more thing, if all lecturers thing in the same way that you think, UOM ti pou tro top. Since last year, i am working with another lecturer. He is also a good lecturer. Mo croire ou p partage sa bane lesprit la are li. Of course he is next to youyr office. Hope you can guest. TIPS: P…..
Wish you all the best avinash. Try to change all things that you see is not gud at UOM ,surtous COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT.
MORE PROGRAMMING CONTEST.
WHY NOT?……..
STEPHANE
ALLEZ AVINASH…..
Ravi says
23 January 2007 at 17:36there is one thing i would like to know.. its kinda personal though :)
Is being a lecturer not boring?? doing the same module every year?
avinash says
23 January 2007 at 23:27To Stéphane,
Thanks. It is important for you to understand that I don’t have the pretention to change the CS dept. What I want is TO CHANGE YOU, STUDENTS OF THE CS DEPT :-)
I want you all to realise that Computer Science is beautiful, that programming is Art and that you should discover your own way to CS nirvana :-)
I do this (i) by introducing interesting languages, environments, concepts frequently and (ii) by sharing my enthusiasm (and, ahem, my scientific rigour) to you.
Nice to know that some students appreciate what I do :-)
To Ravi:
Lecturing is boring… if you teach the same thing year in year out. Personally, since I’ve joined UoM I’ve changed the modules I teach every year.
This year, I’m teaching a yearly module, Parallel Processing, to Year III students for the first time. And I have to tell you that it’s tough because I’m just learning Parallel Processing in depth now :-)
But, as we all know, it’s only when you teach something that you really understand it…
vicks says
24 January 2007 at 06:47@ avinash
i think its the little touch you add to your lectures and lab that makes following your modules “FANTASTIC”
*assignments never given before
*use of whatever language may it be french, english or even Creole makes interaction easier.
*Advices you give in class + motivating speeches+ stories about your experiences in the private sector etc.. (really interesting btw) :)
Stephane says
24 January 2007 at 13:13Yes avinash. I understand that What You want is TO CHANGE YOU, STUDENTS OF THE CS DEPT.
Yes programming is in fact an ART.
Since many students learn programming since they need to do it in order to save their life. Think that those quy/young girls in tombe dans CSE department in order to have a job at the Cybercity.
As avinash say Life is tooooooo short to do sometning that you don’t like.
Come on guys realise that you are coming out with a first class and only know this by heart. This is not the way a real Computer Scientist behave.
Thanks AVINASH :-)
Sundeep says
27 January 2007 at 19:56Hi
Like many, i subscribe to what has been said above. but isn’t this utopia? Frankly, do you truly believe students of UoM to adopt this true academic mindset, driven by true knowledge and not the pursuit of a few miserable CPA credit? Let’s be true, you can’t change the system. No one can, nor will. UoM is just a course-dispensing machine to my opinion. More than once, you’ve mentioned about the way students and lecturers behave in universities abroad, how they interact, how the knowledge is spread (..no spoon-feeding) but the system is not conducive to same in mauritius. Are we, students, given the right tools to achieve what you dream of for us? I’m sceptic about it.. The very way our courses are designed lead us to nowhere but bookish knowledge. A lot of contents, little hands-on practice, obsolete technologies (till recently),…
But still, i think that there should be some to stand and fight for a change. I believe you to be one of them, and so, all credits to you. But, can you give us more than dreams? will you inspire us enough to trigger the will to learn? I do hope so.
Cheers.
Sundeep
avinash says
27 January 2007 at 21:28Hi Sundeep,
I was watching a programme on CNN some hours ago. Some bright kids (the founders of Facebook and Flickr actually) were explaining to some people at Davos how our new world works. And I said to my wife:
“No one is understanding those kids!”
I meant that the world is moving so fast now (especially with the so-called Web 2.0 revolution) that only YOU, bright kids of today, really understand what is really happening. Even I, at 33, am perhaps too old.
The technology that will be used tomorrow will be invented by people of your age. And, for your own good, you better be among those inventors and creators.
As you said, my job is to make you dream. That’s it! And your job is to make this dream become reality for you ;-)
Stephane says
28 January 2007 at 16:49I agree with my friend Sundeep. Li cone moi bien.
Sorry to say this but UOM is crapped. Just like avinash says.
Students at UOM have only in mind their CPA. thay want a first class, what’s this.
Only know things by heart.
Crapped system.
One friend of mine is a team leader at ACCENTURE. He was a student at UOM. Now his has noticed that students coming from UTM are better tahn student at UOM. He agrees that many student at UOM know things only by heart but can not put it into practice.
Very pity.
Stephane
Stephane says
28 January 2007 at 16:50Crapped means has a long way to go for me here
Sundeep T says
29 January 2007 at 14:59Hi Stephane.
Nice to know that you back my thoughts. But the thing is not about UoM, it’s about the very academic culture of mauritius (or the absence of it i should say). The whole thing is so sick & stale!
About me knowing you (or vice versa), would you care to refresh my memories? I understand that there is another Sundeep (spelt the same way) at UoM. Maybe you’re mistaking me for him. I’m Sundeep Tengur, ‘Sauron’ my friends use to call me. ..for LoTR connoisseurs :)
And to Avinash: it’s not too late to start a revolution even now, all we need is the right ingredients :p. And about inspiring students, it reminds me of this wonderful movie “Le cercle des poetes disparus”.
Cheers!
Sundeep says
12 February 2007 at 22:35ah..
guess there was some confusion with the name
am sundeep..sundeep rambhojun..
sundeep as my friends use to and still call me..
one question been wanting to ask avinash..
if u were not to join teaching..
whr do u think u wouldve been today?
avinash says
12 February 2007 at 23:22This is something I regularly ask myself…
At DCDM, I did a lot of software development and also a lot of support. At MCCI and now at the UoM, in addition to my normal teaching, I also was (and now am) the IT Manager (except that I don’t earn any money to do that at UoM)
I manage servers (I have three at the UoM), I look after the network and I make sure the clients work well (I have around 50 Linux clients to look after)
But the one common thing is that I do (and have been doing for the past 8 years) a lot of Research & Development. I did it at DCDM. I did it at MCCI. And now I’m doing it at UoM.
So I guess I would be doing R&D somewhere… Maybe at Google :-)
vicks says
27 February 2007 at 19:36i came back to the topic after some time..
@ Stephane
well talking about UTM students are better than UOM hehe..
i say put on a contest and bring it on!!
Students should stop having huge expectation from lecturers…
I agree that the system at uom is crap! But hey.. be it at UOM or UTM being good in what you do, depends on you!!
(if you have read the interview, not only avinash but most of great programmers learn by themselves)