Primary supervisor

Sadia Nawaz

Co-supervisors

  • Sanaz Nikfalazar

Project background

Computing graduates are expected to possess more than technical skills. Industry increasingly values capabilities such as communication, teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, and project management. However, these skills are often taught separately, making it difficult for students to understand how they connect in professional practice.

This project will investigate how professional practice skills and project management capabilities intersect in computing education. The findings will support ongoing curriculum redesign in the Faculty of Information Technology and contribute to the development of learning resources that better prepare students for workplace environments.

Aim/outline

The aim of this project is to examine the connections between professional practice and project management and identify how these concepts can be effectively integrated into computing education.

Depending on the student's interests, the project may involve:

  • reviewing literature on professional practice and project management education
  • analysing industry frameworks and graduate capability expectations
  • investigating how communication, teamwork, leadership, and project management are taught in computing programs
  • identifying common themes and competencies that underpin successful professional practice
  • developing a conceptual framework linking professional skills and project management capabilities
  • creating recommendations for curriculum design and learning activities

URLs/references

The project may explore topics such as:

  • communication in project environments
  • teamwork, collaboration, and team development
  • leadership and management
  • conflict resolution and stakeholder management
  • project work versus operational work
  • professional decision-making
  • the emerging role of generative AI in teamwork, communication, and project delivery

Required knowledge

Required knowledge

Students should have an interest in one or more of the following areas:

  • Project Management
  • Computing Education
  • Professional Practice
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Leadership and Teamwork
  • Generative AI

Experience with literature reviews, educational research, qualitative analysis, or curriculum design would be beneficial but is not essential.
 

Expected outcomes

Students will gain experience in educational research and curriculum design. The project will contribute to the development of a professional practice framework for computing education and inform future teaching materials, curriculum redesign initiatives, and professional skills resources.