Sara Franca

U of T celebrates its digital media pioneers

sgupta — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:52:14 +0000

U of T celebrates its digital media pioneers sgupta Mon, 06/10/2013 - 08:52

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William Buxton and William Reeves in conversation with Eugene Fiume of U of T's Department of Computer Science (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

Sara Franca

Author legacy

Sara Franca

Topic

Global Lens

U of T undergraduate entrepreneurs sell web services startup

sgupta — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:22:46 +0000

U of T undergraduate entrepreneurs sell web services startup sgupta Thu, 03/28/2013 - 06:22

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Undergraduate students Fahd Ananta, Guru Mahendran and Thariq Shihipar have sold their web services aggregator startup to Hubspot (photo by Ben Ouyang)

Sara Franca

Author legacy

Sara Franca

Google acquires U of T neural networks company

sgupta — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:10:42 +0000

Google acquires U of T neural networks company sgupta Tue, 03/12/2013 - 15:10

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Ilya Sutskever, Alex Krizhevsky and University Professor ��Ƶ of the ��Ƶ's Department of Computer Science (photo by John Guatto)

Sara Franca

Author legacy

Sara Franca

Topic

Breaking Research

Where entrepreneurship meets technology

sgupta — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:00:33 +0000

Where entrepreneurship meets technology sgupta Tue, 10/30/2012 - 07:00

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Red Loop)

Sara Franca

Author legacy

Sara Franca

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The professional masters of computer science program

Hamza Javed zeroed in on the master of science in applied computing (MScAC) program at the ��Ƶ because it was a “perfect blend of the two things I love – entrepreneurship and computer science.”

With a personal interest in software development and web/mobile-based startups, Javed is enthusiastic about the vast potential of the field.

“I have several ideas of my own, and the freedom and market reach of web and mobile platforms is very enticing," he says.

Launched in 2010, the MScAC program welcomed 14 new students this fall. Like his classmates, Javed was selected for the unique program because of his track record for making an impact and showing extraordinary initiative.

“I’ve often indulged in side projects,” says Javed. “By the end of [my second year in university] I had a firm grasp of fundamental programming concepts and I started freelancing as a programmer and graphic designer on mostly international projects I found online.”

Carrying this further, Javed found himself taking on new and different technology challenges, finally starting his own company while still an undergrad, and creating a name for himself in the industry.

Originally from Pakistan, Javed used his skills to help that country in 2010, when Pakistan was hit by the worst flood it had ever seen. Having volunteered previously in relief efforts, Javed brought his growing computer skills to this challenge.

“Having enough experience with the Google Maps API, I created a simple web and mobile interface where users could upload various data like their GPS co-ordinates, population stats, damage information, and support requirements, and that would automatically show up on a map – so relief workers could view the maps and plan their distribution strategies accordingly.”

With such a broad background, it’s not surprising to hear why Javed chose to apply to the MScAC program.

“I would like to better my business skills, and have a successful startup accelerator in this part of the hemisphere, and this program is the perfect funnel into that market,” he explains. “I think the MScAC draws applicants who want to be effective leaders in the CS field. The program attracts… eventual CEOs, CTOs, and directors.”

The MScAC combines 8 months of in-class course work, and 8 months of an internship, where the student works directly on exploratory research projects; when asked about his ideal placement for the program’s 8-month internship component, Javed expresses interest in “maybe a startup accelerator or an incubator… web and mobile startup development.”

He is also busy soaking up the coursework.

“So far, it is very interesting… I especially enjoy the business and communications-related courses I am taking," Javed says. "It’s an essential education that is very different from a regular CS master’s program.”

While Javed’s own story is that of an international entrepreneur,the professional master’s program appeals to candidates with a broad range of interests and backgrounds.His classmates include graduate students from other academic fields, mothers who were once IT professionals and are now returning to the workplace after raising a family, and those looking to brush up on their technical knowledge and make a career change.

It is this diversity that makes the MScAC both unique and challenging, and the department puts a strong focus on maintaining the quality of the program, both in the classroom and in the value of internships offered. The first class of program graduates were all offered jobs from their internship companies — although one graduate declined, choosing to start his own company instead.

“This speaks to the calibre of the students in this program," says Professor Eugene Fiume, academic director of the program, "people who are inspired and passionate about technology, and are excited to bring their knowledge into industry.”

Like his fellow MScAC candidates, Javed is thrilled to be in Toronto at the department of computer science.

“It is host to some of the most brilliant minds in the world, students and teachers alike… I believe that by interacting and exchanging ideas with said minds, be it in lectures, labs or the coffee shop, they can benefit and improve me…”

With a smile, he adds, “And I might do the same for them.”

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Understanding understoodit.com

sgupta — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:53:59 +0000

Understanding understoodit.com sgupta Tue, 05/08/2012 - 07:53

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Liam Kaufman had more than 400 educators sign up for his app in 48 hours (Photo by Orbelina Cortez)

Sara Franca

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Sara Franca

Computer Science

Alumni

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Alumnus explains his popular app

Drawing on a broad educational background that includes a psychology degree, a master's in medical sciences and his most recent bachelor's degree in computer science, alumnus Liam Kaufman has created a web app, Understoodit.com, which allows students to anonymously indicate to the instructor if they are confused during a lecture.

Writer Sara Franca asked Kaufman about the initial response to the app, and his plans for the future.

In a nutshell, what does Understoodit do?

It runs in a browser on your phone, tablet or notebook and allows students to either click 'confused' or 'understood' and the professor can see, in real-time, what proportion of the class is confused or understands the material being taught.

Where did you get the idea?

As a student in large classes, I noticed that students weren't putting up their hands. Either they were embarrassed to say they were confused, or they were shy. Likewise, ESL students would rarely put up their hands, either for linguistic or cultural reasons. I was convinced that technology could be used to ameliorate that issue and allow students to communicate their understanding.

What kind of response have you gotten in your test classes (from professors and students)?

The response from testing in three different first-year computer science classes was quite positive and acted as a catalyst for me to focus on Understoodit full time. Since then, the interest in Understoodit has been amazing. Over 400 educators signed up in 48 hours, including those from UBC, Stanford, Harvard, Columbia and CMU.

On @understoodit, hundreds of people have tweeted a sentiment similar to 'I wish I had this when I was in school'.

Can anyone download it now (and use it)?

It runs in your browser, so there's nothing to download. The prof simply has to direct their students to a URL for it to work.

For the summer, signing up for understoodit will be by invitation only, but I'm giving priority to Toronto, Hamilton and Kitchener/Waterloo-based educators at both the secondary and post-secondary level. My plan is to work with educators over the next three months and add features that will make Understoodit even more useful in lectures. After the summer, the plan is to further expand the list of users.

On a personal note, what is currently the most-used app on your phone/iPad?

My favourite app is The Economist, it provides a word-for-word, actor-read, audio version of each issue. It allows me to listen to The Economist while taking the subway or doing dishes!

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