Plenary Lecture

Simulating Real-Life IT Project Environments by Integrating Course Modules of Different Student Levels

Prof. Nicholas Harkiolakis
Professor, Information Technology,
Chair, Master of Science in Information Technology,
Director of Research,
Hellenic American University,
Athens Campus,
Greece
Phone: +30 210 3680941
FAX: +30 210 3633174
E-mail: nharkiolakis@hau.gr
URL: http://www.hau.edu.gr

Abstract: There is an increasing need for university graduates entering today’s job market to be skillful in adapting to novel work situations while sustaining a competitive advantage. To fulfill this requirement, students must adapt life long learning abilities in order to work successfully throughout their career development. In this paper I will argue that lifelong learning abilities can be enhanced by having curriculum activities structured in such a way as to allow students of varied expertise levels to participate in joint course projects. These courses ideally will all belong to the same prerequisite “ladder” allowing the students to be exposed to this unique teamwork experience throughout a student’s academic years/semesters.
 


Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Dr. Nicholas Harkiolakis holds a Ph.D degree in Computer Science from the Agricultural University of Athens. He also has a BSc in Physics from the Kapodistrian University of Athens and he received a graduate studies certificate in Aerodynamics from Cranfield Institute of Technology, England. He served as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Computer Science Department of the University of LaVerne - Athens Campus where he developed the Master's in Business Information Technology and the MBA - IT concentration, chairing both. Professionally he has20 years experience in development and implementation of business information systems and he continues to consult in that area. His research interests extend to the areas of distributed and web applications, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. Currently he is Professor of Information Technology and Director of Research at the Hellenic American University in Athens, Greece. His research interests are in the areas of IT Strategy and Management, Numerical Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and Bioinformatics.