Community

Community / Computing — 2 Comments
19
Apr 07

ADMU BS Computer Science curriculum

In culmination of another phase of my life, I write this blog post. Feedback had also been submitted to the guidance office of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), and the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science (DISCS). Comments on the presence of Theology and Philosophy classes in the core curriculum of the university has also been posted in the previous blog post.

While nearing the day on which I was to be released in the “real world”, I faced difficulties (which I talked about in a blog post that I later retracted). I reflected on a lot of things, among which is the BS Computer Science curriculum of ADMU that I personally find flawed in a number of ways. I am not aware of efforts by DISCS to address these issues, but in the tradition of evaluating events, I outline my comments:

  1. No required class on statistics. My mom, who incidentally is a mathematics professor at the University of the Philippines, Visayas campus, expressed alarm when she learned that there is no required class on statistics in our curriculum. It is understandable as, in my opinion, statistics is necessary for research in a lot disciplines, most especially in the physical sciences, engineering, management, and social sciences. Even just introduction to statistical analysis should be covered. Statistical analyses can be necessary in non-precise fields involving artificial intelligence, software evaluation and comparison, and computing research.
  2. Elective courses for exploration and not specialization.This is possibly an issue only in my batch. There has not been much introduction on specific careers such as game development, computing research, typography, front-end design, systems and network administration, et cetera. A number from my batch only learned what they want to get into almost by chance through the limited number of elective courses that we are required to take. By the time that most find out what they want to do, they are already about to graduate, and are only very slightly exposed to the career that they choose and are therefore almost not qualified to apply for a job in those areas yet. Students could, of course, learn on their own, but it would be great if there were required classes that could already expose them to a lot of fields early in college so that elective courses could be spent specializing and not just exploring.
  3. Lack of opportunity to specialize. Possibly because of the relatively small incoming flow of BS Computer Science students, there is a limited selection of computer science electives. A number from my batch have expressed having to settle for electives not directly related to the specific areas they want to get into because of the lack of choice.

Still, I am happy and content. Not a bit of regret.

Community — 6 Comments
19
Apr 07

Theology and Philosophy classes; ADMU core curriculum

The curricula for courses in the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) have been subject to a lot of criticism. Included in the core curriculum are four (4) three-unit Theology classes and another four (4) three-unit Philosophy courses, which a lot of outsiders and parents of students of the university consider to be more than necessary. It is argued that these classes unnecessarily take up resources — time, money, and intellectual effort — at the expense of greater specialization and expertise in the specific fields of study of the students.

I have always been a believer, if not an advocate, of self-learning, so the presence of these classes in the core curriculum of the university has never bothered me in this respect. It worried me at first because imposition of values and beliefs are not uncommon, especially in Catholic schools within the country, but as soon as I experienced one of these classes, I knew that they were potentially classes that I would appreciate. It is notable that a number of people I know start off putting down the mentioned classes, but graduate from the university already regarding these classes as their favourites.

Besides, I like to think that ADMU is faithful to and successful in its mission and vision to imbued its students with “moral and intellectual virtues”, the development of which professors and orientation facilitators emphasize to be known and/or believed to be all that is necessary for complete and comprehensive prosperity. Mentors have talked about wanting us not just to learn, but to learn how to learn. Also, there is something about the education and community that, despite my not being a die-hard Atenean, brings me to trust that other graduates of the university will choose to excel and live full lives.

Community — 3 Comments
22
Feb 07

Constitutional reform issues

Recently, my life has just been revolving around school, so yeah, I have been studying political science, Catholic theology, philosophy, and mathematics. And I have been enjoying them.

My group in my Political Science 100 (PoS100) class reported and submitted a paper on constitutional reform in the Philippines. Because I appreciate new knowledge and the realizations that came up while I was working on the section that I chose, and because what I wrote might actually help others sort out their thoughts, I am posting my write-up here.

Below gives an overview on two of the major changes proposed by the Consultative Commission more than a year ago. (I am no longer doing a block-quote.)

Continue reading →

Community — 1 Comment
3
Jan 07

Proper charity; Quantity or quality?

One of the most important things that I realized in the past few years is the importance of outreach programs to be sustainable. Before, the kinds of outreach activities that I was used to were dole-outs, holiday celebrations with those less fortunate (in the worldly sense), and occasional giving of alms to the poor. But then there were these instances when, while in the motion of giving some money to a street child, I just had to ask myself if what I was doing made sense.

Alms, or other usual forms of sustenance that people offer to the less fortunate, guarantee their comfort or survival for an additional day or two, but that is all. Except in special circumstances, these do not actually change the situations in which the receivers are. If we feed someone today, but nobody feeds him or her tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, or two days after tomorrow, the person is back to where he or she originally was. We cycle through the process, and in the long run, nothing actually changes. Does this mean that we should just apologize to those asking for help, and just seek to do and work for something greater? Should the idea of little contributions be totally scrapped out of people’s minds, and be replaced by the idea of larger investmests to promising outreach programs? But if this happens, what becomes of those that the fewer, but more funded outreach programs are not able to reach?

Also, there are other forms of outreach activities that I believe do make change. However, these usually demand large investments in time, money, and manpower. Nevertheless, they are expected to affect a much larger number of people in the long run. But how long is long? If everybody makes bits of contributions from time to time, more people would be supported in the present, in the now. Are we supposed to go for quality or quantity?

I still have a lot of questions concerning issues such as proper degree of immersion, proper pace of helping make change in communities, and choosing the right communities. One thing I do know, though, is that I believe in the power of education, both formal and informal. I believe that when people are educated enough, not only do they learn to live and survive in this world, but they realize that they want to help other people too. Educate a number of people, and the spread of prosperity would be exponential.

Heh, if only fixing the world were easy to do…

Community / Personal — 1 Comment
18
Dec 06

Conversations that go nowhere

I am someone who has had more than one person’s share of conversation bloopers. Lessons learned?

First of all, if you are not yet comfortable enough talking with someone, and are already running out of topics to talk about but still want to keep the conversation going — do not talk about this. You will be likely to reach a sucky stale.

Self: Haha, I can’t think of other things to talk about! I’m terrible with conversations!
Not a conversationalist either: Really?? Me, too!
* Silence for several minutes.

Then, if you do not feel like elaborating on a philosophy, do not go into it at all. Shallow, boring, cliched statements are never welcome.

Acquaintance: Good luck!
Self: I really don’t think we will make it, but we will definitely be doing our best.
Acquaintance: That’s okay. [dry statements about a certain philosophy]
Self: Yeah, of course I know that. [dry statements supporting that philosophy]
Acquaintance: [more dry statements]
Self: Yeah…
Acquaintance: Yeah.
* End of the online conversation. We did not talk again for weeks.

Lastly, if you are too tired, do not bother conversing.

Friend: Kris, umuulan… (Kris, it’s raining.)
Self: *smiles* Ng ano? (With what?)
Friend: *confused* Umuulan. (It’s raining.)
Self: *smiles some more* Ng ano? (With what?)
Friend: *even more confused* Umuulan. (It’s raining.)
Self: *starting to become intrigued* Ng ano nga? (I asked what with.)
(But Gen has a quick mind.)
Friend: *silent for a while* … Cats and dogs?

Hah.

← Older Entries