“No regrets!” about gseeM Master`s prograM at MälardaleN uNiversity

“No regrets!” about GSEEM master’s
program at Mälardalen University
Federico Ciccozzi from L’Aquila, Italy is
the first graduate of the Global Software
Engineering European Master’s (GSEEM)
program at Mälardalen University. About
his choice of program, Federico has
“No regrets!”
Federico graduated from the University of L’Aquila
in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
He was thinking of pursing a master’s degree in soft­
ware engineering when he discovered the new Global
Software Engineering European Master’s (GSEEM)
program where a year of study at the University of
L’Aquila plus a year of study abroad at a participating
university would result in two master’s degrees –
one degree from each university.
“I had always heard good things about Sweden, and
I was familiar with the country, so I decided to enroll
and spend my second year at Mälardalen University,”
says Federico.
A “well-rounded” approach
When comparing University of L’Aquila and Mälar­
dalen coursework, Federico says courses in Italy are
more theoretical while courses in Sweden are more
practical:
“Although the subject material in each country is
similar, each university takes a different approach,
which leads to a well-rounded understanding of the
subject. When I chose Mälardalen, I wasn’t aware
of its close ties to industry and applied research.
So I was a little surprised but really enjoyed this
aspect of the program. My master’s thesis focused
on the integration of wireless systems in industry
and incorporated practical work experience from
ABB in Västerås. One of the great things about this
program is that professors and advisors treat you
like a peer. You’re not just a student!”
Federico also enjoyed an opportunity to work in
international teams with students from the Univer­
sity of Zagreb in Croatia on special projects for the
International Conference on Software Engineering
student contest in 2009. Team members communi­
cated using web-based communication systems. All
four projects submitted by Mälardalen were among
the ten semi-finalists for the competition. Three of
these qualified for the finals, and a Mälardalen proj­
ect took first prize.
“The biggest challenge was communicating across
distance,” says Federico. “We had to be sure we didn’t
duplicate each other’s work and we had to coordinate
project development. The course was new and inter­
esting and one of the best courses of the year.”
Facts
Support services
Regarding housing and other practical details of
settling into life at a foreign university, Federico
found the support services for foreign students at
Mälardalen well-organized and efficient. “Just ask
for it and you’ll get it. Everything works well, which
allows you to focus on your work.”
Mälardalen also offers Swedish language courses
for exchange students.
What next?
Although Federico has decided to stay at Mälardalen
to pursue a PhD in model-driven software engineer­
ing, he believes there are endless work opportunities
for software engineers.
“Computers without software are just ‘empty box­
es.’ Any industry that uses technology – automotive,
aerodynamics, telecom – needs software engineers.
It’s a field full of opportunities, even for graduates
with bachelor’s degrees.
“But for anyone considering a master’s in software
engineering, I definitely recommend this program!”
Global Software Engineering European
Master’s program (GSEEM)
Offers a two-year Master of Science degree in soft­ware
engineering with concentration in one of three areas:
• Software architecture
• Real-time embedded systems
• Web systems and services
Unique opportunity to earn a master’s degree from
two participating universities for the same course­
work (“double” master’s). Partner universities:
Mälardalen University (Sweden); University of L’Aquila
(Italy); VU (Vrije Universiteit) University Amsterdam
(Netherlands).
Program emphasis: close cooperation with local
industry on applied software projects international
experience through collaborative projects with
students in other countries.
All courses conducted in English.
For more information, visit www.gseem.eu
Why the same degree from two universities?
• Enhanced employability. Potential employers want
team members who are not afraid of challenges.
A two-university experience demonstrates initia­
tive and curiosity, qualities that can lead to more
interesting work with higher pay.
• Academic credentials accepted in two countries
or more. GSEEM graduates’ academic credentials
are automatically accepted in two countries, and
perhaps more.
GSEEM – a winning team at ICSE 2009
The International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE), the
world’s premier conference of its kind, was sponsoring the first
Student Contest On Software Engineering (SCORE) in 2009. GSEEM
students were the ones winning the first price. “The winners of this
competition will be able to work anywhere in the world,” says Ivica
Crnkovic, professor and head of the Software Engineering division at
Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden. Next SCORE competition
will be held in Hawaii in 2011 – why don´t you join the team?
• Experience living abroad. Participants learn firsthand what it’s like to live and work outside of
one’s own culture, a perhaps once-in-a-lifetime
experience.
• It’s fun! The GSEEM program is an opportunity to
meet and work with people from around the world
and to make new friends for life.
The GSEEM program is the result of long-term cooperation between L’Aquila University, VU University
Amsterdam, and Mälardalen University. Many undergraduate and graduate students have participated
in student exchanges among the universities. Doctoral students and senior researchers have worked on
joint projects, and organized shared research conferences and other events. Similar research objectives
and complementary approaches and expertise have resulted in highly productive cooperative efforts.
“
Everyone should study abroad at least once. You learn
how other people think and it helps you become more
open-minded. You also learn a lot in a short amount of time.