Pacific Rim Summer Workshop in Global Distributed Software Development
This is an opportunity for UBC CPSC students to participate in a Pacific Rim summer workshop in software at the University of Oregon (with optional credit for CPSC 448).
When? August 14-26, 2011
What? Pacific Rim Summer Workshop in Global Distributed Software Development
Where? University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, USA
Who? All UBC students in any Computer Science program having taken CPSC 310 or equivalent. (Students graduating in May 2011 are allowed to participate.)
Deadline for application: Thurs., April 7
Participants in the Pacific Rim program in past years included students from:
USA (University of Oregon, Portland State University, Oregon State University, University of Washington, Seattle University), Canada (Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, University of British Columbia), China (Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beihang University), Japan (Tohoku University, Sendai), Korea (KAIST, Yonsei University). The industry partners are Intel, Microsoft, and Google.
Why? To get lab-based experience with global software projects, cross-cultural communication, international computer ethics, research and technical writing, team-building, etc.
How much? We estimate about $1400-1500, but the US National Science Foundation
(NSF) will provide a stipend of up to $500, and UBC's Dept. of Computer Science will provide another $400-500, leaving about $400-500 for individual students to pick up. (Please note, these are estimates only, not guarantees.) For those students who choose to take the workshop as UBC CPSC 448, regular UBC tuition fees for a 3-credit course apply, and that's extra.
How many students can go? 3 students from UBC. There will be up to 20 North American students (from the Pacific Northwest), and up to 20 students from Asia participating.
Students are selected on a competitive basis. A minimum CPSC average of 72% is required to take the workshop for credit as UBC CPSC 448.
Brief overview of logistics: Students will live for 2 weeks at the University of Oregon (includes all meals). Because this is a workshop rather than a University of Oregon course, students can come on a tourist visa and avoid the cost and hassle of a J-1 visa, evidence of health insurance, special fees for students visiting the U.S., etc. Having said that, make sure you have appropriate travel health coverage, since the US medical system can be costly.
How to apply? Two parts:
(1) For now, by Thursday, April 7th (end of classes), we only need a statement of interest in the form of a "Personal Statement" (see below), sent to Michele Ng (mng@cs.ubc.ca) with your full name and student number. There is no need to send us a transcript, since we can handle that internally.
(2) Later, if you are tentatively accepted, we'll notify the CPATHi18n organizers at the University of Oregon, and then you'll apply formally to them by April 20th. For that final part of the application, you'll need a Letter of Recommendation, and a non-refundable application fee; but, don't do part (2) until you are accepted by UBC CPSC, since they want us to select the applicants.
What goes into the Personal Statement (one page for both questions in total, single spaced)?:
1) Describe a group software project that you have worked on or are currently involved with. Include the context for the project (coursework, internship, or job), a description of the project, number of group members, your role in the software team, period of time of your involvement, and what you learned from this experience.
2) Why do you want to participate in this summer's Global Software Development Summer Workshop in Eugene, Oregon? What background, perspectives, and experiences can you contribute to this year's program that can convince us to select you?
Relevant Web page: