It has already been reported that a new training laboratory, equipped with the help of DataArt IT company, has been opened at the Department of Software in Lviv Polytechnic National University.
While those invited to the event were gathering, the Press Service reporter had a chance to talk to Vitaliy Yakovyna, Doctotor of Technical Sciences, Head of the Software Department. I was wondering how Internet of Things, a new branch of IT, could affect our daily life.
– The future lies in it, – answered my interlocutor. – It is inevitably becoming the realia of our life. Even now our houses, household appliances are becoming «smart». Every socket, every light bulb, every device in our home can be connected to Internet. For example, you will never be concerned about the question whether you have forgotten to switch off the iron, so that it does not cause fire. And if you have forgotten to do this, you will be able to switch it off by sending a command from your phone. In order to make this work, two things are necessary: hardware, which is produced from electronic equipment by experts, and software, which is developed by programmers.
– IoT is a new speciality or specialization?
– Neither. It is a course in the set of optional subjects for students within the framework of «Software Engineering» speciality. There cannot be a separate speciality, for instance, to study not the whole car but only its one wheel. Thanks to this laboratory, our students will have better opportunities and skills of programming, testing and creating IoT systems. When the laboratory is not used for classes, it will be used to hold Internet-of-Things club meetings, supervised by Roman Hatsko, senior lecturer of the Department.
Professor Dmytro Fedasyuk, Vice-Rector for Undergraduate Education of Lviv Polytechnic, was the key speaker of the event. He thanked the DataArt executives for the contribution they make to the development of education in IT: «We are witnesses to the synergy of IT market demands and University, which trains competitive professionals. We receive excellent references on our graduates, we monitor their employment.»
Valeriy Volkov, DataArt Lviv branch director, spoke to those present at the event. He is 2003 graduate of the Department of Software. According to him, since that time the Department has experienced drastic changes, particularly in providing it with state-of-the art equipment, introducing curriculum closely connected with the job market demands. He also said that Lviv office of the company would be located closer to Lviv Polytechnic. Thus their co-operation would become even more fruitful. One floor of the premises has been allotted for training laboratories, which could be used by Lviv Polytechnic students as well.
Valeriy Volkov invited two young DataArt employees, Yarema Danylyshyn and Serhiy Ivashchenko, to the opening of the laboratory. Last December, they received their diplomas at the Department of Applied Mathematics speciality «Mathematical Modelling», and now they are working in DataArt. They began their co-operation with this IT company when they were fourth-year students.
Yarema Danylyshyn advised students to pay special attention to learning English: «If you do not pass your English interview, no one will speak to you…» Serhiy Ivashchenko, on the other hand, thinks that prospective programmers should not be scared by the foreign language. He himself improved his English at the courses provided by the company. Serhiy advised to start looking for a job when they are third- or fourth-year students. It is not that difficult to combine work and studies. The company offers flexitime, and lecturers at the Department treat working students with understanding. The most important thing is persevering with your goal.
