Innovation and Leading-Edge Technology Focus of Postgraduates’ Research in Computer Science
Posted on: 20 September 2010
Innovation and leading-edge technology were the focus of a showcase of postgraduate research in Computer Science this week at Trinity College Dublin.
Trinity’s School of Computer Science and Statistics provides leading-edge research in technology through its MSc Programmes in Computer Science and its students’ research projects demonstrated this. Projects ranged from the monitoring of 3D camera rigs for film production to the investigation of vehicular sensor networks for monitoring road conditions.
“I created a paint programme which uses eye tracking and voice recognition for input. The cursor’s position is controlled by where a person is looking at on the screen, and they control drawing by giving voice commands like ‘start’. Saying ‘open colours’ opens the menu to change colours. This allows users with certain disabilities access to a paint program, something they might have been unable to do with a mouse and keyboard,” explained Jan van der Kamp, a postgraduate student on the Interactive Entertainment Technology programme.
Stephen Purcell, postgraduate student; Dr Siobhan Clarke, Director – Postgraduate Teaching and Learning at the School of Computer Science and Statistics; Mark Dineen, Senior Manager, Accenture.
Stephen Purcell studying Networks and Distributed Systems devised a new way to capture users’ interest on the web and improve search results: “My project sought to research and develop new ways of gathering information on individual user’s browsing activities in an attempt to improve search results so that only pages users are genuinely interested in appear in future searches.”
The showcase, hosted by the School of Computer Science and Statistics in collaboration with the College Careers Advisory Service and Trinity Research & Innovation, was held in the O’Reilly Institute on Wednesday September 15th last.
Professor Veronica Campbell, Trinity’s Dean of Graduate Studies, opened the event which provided an opportunity for business, industry, the public sector and academia to meet graduates from the School’s MSc programmes in Interactive Entertainment Technology; Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing; Networks and Distributed Systems; and Technology and Learning, and discuss their research.
Dr Siobhan Clarke, Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning at the School of Computer Science and Statistics said: “These students have gained experience with the latest tools and technologies and have been exposed to leading-edge research in the course of their studies while also developing high-level analytical, critical and problem solving skills. The nature of the work undertaken has equipped them with transferable skills relevant to careers in the global technological industry and employment across a range of sectors.”
This was a view shared by keynote speaker, Dave Gargan, Vice President of Engineering of Havok: “Finding high calibre candidates is one of our highest priorities at Havok. With this event Trinity provides access to an exceptional pool of directly relevant talent. This was a unique opportunity for us to engage with graduates on a one-to-one basis, see their passion for technology, and appreciate how the Trinity MSc programmes have prepared them to perform and adapt to the leading-edge of our sector.”