The information technology (IT) industry is globally interconnected. In many large software development projects work is distributed across sites in different countries. IT professionals are expected to be able to work collaboratively in team environments that have members from many different language and cultural backgrounds.
In this course students will gain experience of the work practices in another country. They will be exposed to work styles, ethics, language, and cultural issues that will help them to be more effective in global software development projects.
This course is offered on an occasional basis. The course availability, and details of the program, will be advertised to students early in the semester prior to the planned trip. Students will be required to submit an application for approval to enrol in this course. For information about how to enrol in this course, please email; studentenquiries@eecs.uq.edu.au
International Software Development providesﾠan opportunity to travel to Vietnam during the summer break (18 Nov. to 20 Dec. 2024). You will spendﾠappoximately five weeks in Da Nang. In the first orientation week of the program you will participate in a series of Vietnamese language, cultural and workplace learning experiences. Over the following four weeks you will work as an intern in a local Vietnamese company. The learning experiences, training and work activities all take place in English.
You will gain knowledge about, and experience in applying, cross cultural work practices. Through your internship project, you will gain a greater awareness of how culture impacts on the practices employed in developing IT solutions. You will develop an in-depth understanding of Vietnamese culture and aspects of Vietnamese business practices.
There will be many opportunities for informal interaction with local Vietnamese students and employees, to gain a greater appreciation of Vietnam's culture and the Vietnamese education system.
You must pass a merit based competitive application process to be eligible to enrol in this course. (The course coordinator at richard.thomas@uq.edu.au can advise you of your potential eligibility.) The program is supported by an Australian governmentﾠNew Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility grant. This NCPﾠgrant will award $4000 Australian dollars to successful applicants who are Australian citizens. This moneyﾠmay be used yourﾠfor travel expenses.
Students enrolled in this course must have gone through the competitive application process. Those seeking funding through the New Colombo Plan (NCP) mobility grant, must satisfy the eligibility requirements of the grant guidelines.
Students are expected to have an interest in building innovative, practical software systems. Students are expected to be comfortable with programming and software development activities. Students are expected to be interested in cross-cultural experiences.
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(CSSE1001 or ENGG1001) and Permission of Head of School
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
COMP2140 or CSSE2002 or DECO2300
Permission Head of School, contact the School for permission to enrol.
Richard Thomas will be available for on-line consultation via Slack or the WhatsApp group created for this project. All students enrolled in the course have been invited to both Slack and the WhatsApp group. You can contact Richard Thomas to arrange an individual online meeting if you would like to discuss any issues.
Richard Thomas will be available for in-person consultation in Da Nang from Dec 10 to 22.
This course is offered in an intensive mode in Da Nang, Vietnamﾠfrom 19 Nov. to 19 Dec. You are required to take part in all activities listed in the program schedule. This includes program activities, workshops, excursions, and your internship placement.
Consequently, you must arrive in Da Nang by 18 Nov. at the latest, and may not depart until 20 Dec. at the earliest. Accommodation for the duration of the program is being organised by FPTU. You should contact FPTU if you wish to stay at the accommodation before 18 Nov. or after 20 Dec.
This course aims to improve students’ ability to work in a multi-cultural environment through an intensive immersion in an overseas culture and working environment.
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Communicate goals and expectations in a cross-cultural environment to negotiate project outcomes.
LO2.
Develop IT systems that deliver solutions that are suitable for a global audience.
LO3.
Work in a cross-cultural team to deliver an IT system.
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook/ Logbook, Reflection |
Internship Work Diary
|
Pass / Fail |
2/12/2024 1:00 pm 9/12/2024 1:00 pm 16/12/2024 1:00 pm 6/01/2025 1:00 pm
Weekly Submission during Internship |
| Presentation |
Final Project Presentation
|
Pass / Fail |
16/12/2024 - 19/12/2024
Scheduled during the final week of your internship. The presentation may take place at your host company office or at the FPTU campus. |
| Reflection |
Project Reflection
|
Pass / Fail |
24/01/2025 1:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
2/12/2024 1:00 pm
9/12/2024 1:00 pm
16/12/2024 1:00 pm
6/01/2025 1:00 pm
Weekly Submission during Internship
You will write a work diary that records your weekly work activities. The diary should record the activities you perform each week, highlighting what you have learnt from those activities.
Each submission is to be less than 500 words in length.
Machine Translation (MT) may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of MT in each instance.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this task is prohibited.
A failure to reference MT use and / or the use of generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
This is to be submitted on-line at the end of every week of your internship. To meet UQ submission policy, the diary is due by 13:00 on the Monday following your internship work week (Dec. 2, 9, 16, plus Jan. 6 after the Christmas holiday). It is recommended that you attempt to complete and submit your diary as close to the end of your work week as possible.
Each weekly diary entry is to be submitted via the link provided in the course BlackBoard site.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If there are medical or exceptional circumstances, you may apply for an extension capped at a maximum of 7 days from the original deadline. Any exceptional circumstances that require an extension greater than 7 days will severely impact on your ability to complete the internship component of the course. You will need to discuss your circumstances with the course coordinator regarding options and possible special consideration.
Assessment items received after a one-hour grace period will receive a failing grade.
16/12/2024 - 19/12/2024
Scheduled during the final week of your internship. The presentation may take place at your host company office or at the FPTU campus.
You will give a formal presentation of the product you produce during your internship. The presentation will describe the product's functionality. The presentation should highlight the value delivered by the product. The presentation should reflect on what you have learnt during development of the product.
In accordance with UQ assessment policy, your presentation will be recorded.
Machine Translation (MT) may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of MT in each instance.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this task is prohibited.
Use of generative AI in the development of your project will depend on the policies of the company hosting your internship. UQ does not impose any constraint on the use of generative AI in your project development.
A failure to reference MT use and / or the use of generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Upload a copy of your presentation file to the link provided on BlackBoard.
You may be able to defer this exam.
While an extension cannot be granted for the presentation, in exceptional medical or extenuating circumstances a deferral may be approved. Deferrals must be requested via mySI-net > myRequests.
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Your final project presentation is scheduled at a fixed time that is constrained by the program schedule and the availability of your host company supervisor. No grace period or extension will be possible.
24/01/2025 1:00 pm
You will submit a reflective essay that describes what you have learnt from your experience during your trip. You should make use of your diary submissions, to reflect on what you have learnt and how you will apply those learnings in the future. Your reflection may extend beyond your internship activites, to include other experiences you had during your trip.
This reflective essay must be less than 1500 words in length.
Machine Translation (MT) may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of MT in each instance.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this task is prohibited.
A failure to reference MT use and / or the use of generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission via the link provided on BlackBoard.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If there are medical or exceptional circumstances, you may apply for an extension capped at a maximum of 28 days from the original deadline.
Assessment items received after a one-hour grace period will receive a failing grade.
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: Engages in the process of developing a software system in a multi-cultural team environment. Demonstrates professional communication skills in a multi-culture team environment, communicating goals and expectations, and negotiating project outcomes. Demonstrates the ability to build a software system that meets key project goals. Demonstrates adequate understanding and application of the fundamental concepts of the field of study; develops routine arguments or decisions and provides acceptable justification; communicates information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. Students must pass all assessment to achieve a passing grade for the course. Failing only up to two diary submissions would not constitute failing the work diary assessment. |
| F |
Course grade description: A student who does not engage in the process of developing a software system in a multi-cultural team environment; or A student who does not demonstrate professional communication skills in a multi-culture team environment, and who is unable to communicate goals, expectations or negotiate project outcomes; or A student who does not demonstrate the ability to build a software system that meets key project goals; or A student who fails to demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course or does not attend or participate in the scheduled activities of the course; or A student who demonstrates clear deficiencies in understanding and applying fundamental concepts; communicates information or ideas in ways that are frequently incomplete or confusing and gives little attention to the conventions of the discipline; or A student who demonstrates superficial or partial or faulty understanding of the fundamental concepts of the field of study and limited ability to apply these concepts; presents undeveloped or inappropriate or unsupported arguments; communicates information or ideas with lack of clarity and inconsistent adherence to the conventions of the discipline. |
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
All assessment in this course is based on the work that you do as part of your internship placement. It is not possible to replicate that learning and work environment in supplementary assessment to demonstrate achievement of the course learning outcomes.
If you have any concerns during the NCP program, please raise these with Richard Thomas (richard.thomas@uq.edu.au). Please make use of the course Slack and WhatsApp group and your Vietnamese program buddy for help in Vietnam. If you have any concerns about the course, please raise these with Richard Thomas, or with the Director of Teaching & Learning for EECS (director-tl@eecs.uq.edu.au).
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Students are expected to be self-sufficient learners who will discover resources that are appropriate for their project context. They can ask for help from colleagues in the company they are placed, as well as the course teaching team and other students.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
Program Fee |
A fee of $1800 AUD will be paid to FPTU to cover the cost of administering this program, organising placements, conducting workshops, providing cultural activities, and your accommodation for the duration of the program. Students who have an NCP Mobility grant will have this fee deducted from their grant and UQ will organise payment to FPTU. Any students who do not have an NCP Mobility grant will need to pay this fee directly to FPTU. |
Flights |
You must organise and pay for your flights from Brisbane to Da Nang, and return, to take part in this program. Students who have an NCP Mobility grant may make use of the remainder of their grant to pay for their flights. |
Meals |
You are responsible for organising and paying for all meals during the program, aside from meals that are part of an activity in the program. Students who have an NCP Mobility grant may make use of the remainder of their grant to cover the cost of meals. |
Incidentals |
You are responsible for paying for all incidental costs that you incur during the program. (e.g. taxi or public transport fees, tour fees, souvenirs, ...) Students who have an NCP Mobility grant may make use of the remainder of their grant to cover these costs. |
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (18 Nov - 24 Nov) |
General contact hours |
Program Orientation The first week of the program consists of orientation activities to prepare you for your internship. This includes how to manage issues that may arise during the program, understanding the Vietnamese work culture, communication skills, Vietnamese language lessons, career planning, and cultural activities. Program activities and their times are indicated in the provided program schedule. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 5 |
Placement |
Vietnam Internship Program This is an intensive program to develop your ability to work in a multi-cultural team to deliver a software product. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
The internship will take place at the offices of a host company. The internship will consist of regular full-time work over the last four weeks of the program.
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: