Space has the training of new talent for the market as one of its pillars
Photo: Bruno Todeschini
With a more open concept and with spaces for presentations and discussions, the Software Innovation Laboratory (LIS), built in 2011, had its renovation inaugurated on Tuesday, October 8th. The space is aimed at expanding the training and qualification of undergraduate students in the field of Computer Science and preparation for the job market. A result of the partnership between PUCRS and HP Inc., the LIS is located on the ground floor of University Building 32 and has led to the hiring of many PUCRS students as interns or employees by the company.
The opening event of the renovated LIS was attended by the Dean of the School of Technology, Professor Sandra Einloft, HP representatives, including HP Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Global Head of HP Labs, Shane Wall, and the Educational Program Manager of HP Brazil Research and Development Center, Alexis Cabeda Projects created in the Lab were presented to HP representatives by the students themselves.
Cabeda stressed that the LIS is an important venue for approximation between the company and its future employees. “One of the pillars of this partnership between PUCRS and HP is talent building. Almost 50% of the company’s new employees at Tecnopuc come from the lab. When there is an opportunity, they are already much more integrated into the culture of our organization than outside candidates,” he remarked.
Photo: Bruno Todeschini
Vinícius Parmeggiani, a 21-year old 5th-semester Software Engineering student has been at LIS for almost a year and points out that experience in the laboratory helps in getting practical knowledge about the tools. “I participate in a project that uses artificial intelligence to describe images for visually impaired people. Artificial intelligence is an area that is continuously growing, so this knowledge is critical to my career,” said Parmeggiani.
To the associate dean of the PUCRS Polytechnic School and coordinator of LIS, Prof. Marcelo Yamaguti, the project contributes not only to the job market, but also to the personal development of students. “LIS is not just about technology, but also about the use of methods and tools in software development projects that enable the building of non-technical skills such as teamwork, communication, and proactivity, which are all important in the professional career of these students,” says Yamaguti.
The Software Innovation Laboratory involves the study and application of innovative information technology methods, tools and technologies, supplementing the contents covered in undergraduate courses. The project was inaugurated in 2011, under an agreement between PUCRS and HP Inc. Since then, more than 110 students have been through LIS and most have been hired as HP interns or employees.