Keynote Speakers

Rajeev Sangal

Biography

Prof. Rajeev Sangal is the Director of the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad, a new-era research university in India.
He holds B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur, and MS and PhD in Computer and Information Science from the University of Pennsylvania. Besides heading the university, he also leads the largest academic centre on language technology in India, located at IIIT Hyderabad. He has authored 3 books, and a large number of research papers in NLP and AI.
He has developed and successfully implemented a radical new curriculum in Computer Science and Engg., and Electronics and Communications that promotes research and project work starting from an early stage in the undergraduate level.
He was a member of the Scientific Council of Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research from 1991-1994. He was a member of the National Review Committee for PG programmes in Engg., India from 1996-98. He headed the Dept. of Computer Sc. and Engg. at IIT Kanpur from 1987-90, where he spent 15 years as a faculty member. Earlier, he spent two years as research staff at LCS, MIT, Cambridge, USA.

Software Engineering: Research led Education with Human Values

Abstract

This talk describes the experience of weaving research in computer science education, and how it can be carried over to software engineering. Curriculum is designed with the objective that students can undertake projects as early as possible. As a result, specially designed technology courses are brought in early on (much like the carpenter learning the tools and power tools in hands on manner). Concepts are presented through normal courses but to allow flexibility in choice of courses, long pre-requisite chains are broken carefully. This provides the backdrop in which students are encouraged to choose a stream and undertake research in it, while at the same time learning broad basics. This encourages students to experiment and learn with joy.
A suitably-designed flexible curriculum and passionate faculty who radiate the joy of their work are important elements but not sufficient. Students are under tremendous peer pressure to take up routine and ordinary jobs merely because they pay well. A strong base of human values is necessary so that students examine their life goals, and get in touch with what they really want to be/do. This serves as the foundation on which professional ethics can be discussed. Thus, it helps them in becoming a good researcher, as well as a good human being.

Ed Cohen

Biography

One of the early proponents of modernizing organizational learning and leadership development methodologies, Ed Cohen has been credited with various practices that link learning to outcomes. It is under his leadership that Satyam became the number one ranked organization for learning in the 2007 American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) BEST Awards, making it the first non-US company to top the list.
Considered a statesman in his profession, Ed continuously explores and develops new methodologies and programs that help organization exceed customer expectations. He strongly believes in a research-based learning strategy that must deliver sustained transformation and has been driving organizational training and employee development services for almost 25 years. An authority in leadership development, his years of research have resulted in ascertaining constructs of leadership in a global environment. His latest book "Leadership Without Borders" (Wiley) went on to become one of the category best-sellers on Amazon. Ed Cohen is also a contributing author to "Next Generation Corporate Universities" and numerous journals.
Prior to joining Satyam, Ed Cohen spent eight years with Booz Allen Hamilton where he was founder and strategic leader of their corporate university - the Center for Performance Excellence. Under Ed's leadership the Center grew to become one of the most widely recognized corporate universities. In 2006, Booz Allen reached number one in both Training Magazine's and ASTD's global ranking of best learning organizations. During Ed's tenure, Booz Allen also received more than 30 Excellence in Practice recognitions from ASTD and other similar bodies.

Software Engineer to Global Leader: Service Provider and Trusted Advisor

Abstract

It's simple. Organizations want and need outstanding service providers who are capable of also being "trusted advisors".
In today's borderless global marketplace, software engineers who can code with zero errors and 100% quality are not as desirable as they used to be. They need to demonstrate a broader worldview: the ability to lead cross-cultural teams and management skills of a highest order are some of the key traits that are required to succeed as a global leader capable of engaging customers, associates, investors in a manner that lends a competitive advantage.
Our journey will cover the leadership steps and traits necessary for software engineers to transition from individual contributors to global leaders. Sharing insights from Satyam leaders and Satyam customers, combined with the research collected during the writing of his book, "Leadership Without Borders", this presentation will identify the behaviors, acumen, and worldview required to succeed in a world without borders. In addition, this keynote will provide examples and advice on how to transition to a trusted advisor, and how to build partnerships where relationships go beyond .project mindset.

Len Bass

Biography

Len Bass is one of the leading figures in the area of software architecture. He has co-authored two of the best selling software architecture books and has been responsible for a number of innovations in the areas of software architecture evaluation, software architecture design, and how to support usability th rough software architecture.
His position at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University places him at the intersection of academia and practice. He has worked with multiple industrial partners in projects ranging from financial systems to automotive driver information systems to the Mars Exploration Rover. He has lect ured widely and has been a distinguished lecturer or keynoter at events on six continents.

Making quality attributes first class entities

Abstract

Computer systems are constructed to satisfy some business or mission goals. This simple, and one would think obvious, statement has profound consequences in terms of how one approaches the problem of designing the computer system. Business and mission goals are rarely expressed in terms of the purpose of the system but instead they are expressed in terms of qualities the system should have – the system should be fielded quickly, it should be secure, it should perform fast, it should be modifiable, etc. This talk will take a tour that begins with business goals, goes through specification of quality attributes, discusses how quality attributes are achieved while designing, and briefly describes design and evaluation methods that are quality attribute focused. The question for CSEET attendees is: “Where in your curriculum is this material covered?” Where are students taught about business goals, where are they taught about the relation between business goals and quality attributes, where are they taught about the relation between quality attributes and design principles?