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ACES Newsletter 2019 - University of Peradeniya
ACES Newsletter 2019 - University of Peradeniya
INTERVIEW WITH
Dr. K. SAMARAKOON
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING
and Information Systems with well-defined
discipline boundaries. With the invention
of microprocessors, computer engineering
emerged from within electrical engineering
as a separate discipline. As computer chips
became a basic component of most electrical
and mechanical devices, the skill-set required
to design and program the chips became
distinguishable from other areas of engineering,
further establishing computer engineering as a
discipline of its own.
The ACM task force identified five computing
fields; namely, Computer Science, Software
Engineering, Information Systems, Information
Technology, and Computer Engineering. The
first two are primarily software related. The
next two address the need of computer systems
in organizations. Since Computer Engineering
emerged from within electrical engineering
whose primary focus is on hardware, computer
engineering lies in the intersection between
these hardware and software based disciplines.
A good computer engineer needs a strong
1) Let's start off by explaining the difference in computer hardware knowledge to design
computer engineering and computer science control circuitry for larger electro-mechanical
or software engineering? And how exactly is systems and a good software knowledge to
the curriculum of our department differ from program the circuitry with efficient control
other IT-related degrees?
algorithms.
For many, the distinction between
computing disciplines is not clear. Because of
this, in 2005, The Association of Computing
Machinery (ACM), The Association of
Information Systems (AIS), and the IEEE
Computer Society (IEEE-CS) jointly established
a task force to identify the differences in
disciplines related to computing.
Simply put, computer engineering is concerned
with the design and construction of computers
and computer-based systems. It involves the
study of hardware, software, communication
and most importantly, the interaction among
them. Its curriculum focuses on the theories,
principles, and practices of traditional electrical
engineering and mathematics, and applies them
Before the 1970s, there were only three to the problems of designing computers and
computing-related degree programs, namely computer-based devices to operate in the real
Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, world. This, I believe to be the distinguishing
features that make it an engineering discipline.
Initially, the devices designed and
programmed by computer engineers were
confined to industrial systems and were not
visible to the public. However, these control
systems are now becoming extremely
complex and demanding and hence the
computer engineers should employ the
rigorous Software Engineering principles in
designing the control systems to ensure their
reliable operation. Furthermore, they use
the algorithmic foundations of Computer
Science to design applications that interact
with hardware systems
2) In your opinion, what is expected from a
We, as a department, have a
fresh computer engineering graduate by the policy not to promote our degree program by
industry?
highlighting job prospects after graduation
At the present time, Sri Lankan despite the high demand. Instead, we invite
computing industry is primarily focusing the students who are passionate about
on software development. Although our computing to select computer engineering
curriculam
emphasize
on
computer degree program. I think this approach has
engineering, our fresh computer engineering been successful in attracting only the students
graduates are knowledgeable of Computer who are truly passionate about computing to
Science and Software Engineering principles join the department. In such a fast-moving and
supplemented by a well-honed analytic and difficult discipline, without an internal drive,
problem solving mindset. I believe that this students can easily become dispassionate
makes our graduates attractive to the local and disengaged from the course (and the
field in general) which would cause them to
industry and are readily employable.
perform poorly at university and ultimately
However, we are not focusing exclusively to be dissatisfied with their life choices. That
cater to the present local industry. Instead, is why this time all students who joined the
we expect and encourage our graduates to department chose computer engineering as
be pioneers for starting new companies that their first choice. When someone is passionate
develop world-class hardware and software about learning a subject, they devote and
products contributing to the economic deliver and have an enjoyable time while
development of Sri Lanka. We hope our doing so. Apart from offering a world-class
students use the skills we have tried to foster degree program, our department organizes
in them and find niches missing in the local many activities to improve the soft skills of our
industry when starting new companies.
students and I believe that this is a significant
3) Computer Engineering Department has contributor to the performance of Peradeniya
reached the top among all the departments of engineering in the industry. This reputation
the faculty when it comes to field selection. has an avalanche effect where more and more
What are the reasons behind becoming students selected to the engineering faculty
the first choice of fresh engineering opt to study computer engineering leading to
an even more passionate cohort of students.
undergraduates?
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