Cowbright: Fall Semester Wrap Up at ITB

one of several ITB engineering buildings

Several have asked why we are in Indonesia. For my new followers, we are here because Ronnie was named a Fulbright Scholar and his assignment was Indonesia, specifically the Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung).

For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandung_Institute_of_Technology

ITB is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Indonesia. As such, he's had the opportunity to work with some of Indonesia's brightest students. And unlike some of the other Fulbrighters we've spoken with, Ronnie has been blessed with a very supportive and appreciative host, Pak Dwi Widyantoro, who facilitated Ronnie's teaching and research in a course on global software development using international teams.

Ronnie and Pak Dwi

Bandung is a few hours south of Jakarta. It has cooler temps than Jakarta because of its higher elevation, but is not nearly as modern. There are very few Caucasians in Bandung (thus the stares) and it's rare to come across someone who speaks English in the normal population. However, that is not the case at ITB. Ronnie is working with third and fourth year engineering students, all of whom understand English. Though he has developed a survival level of Bahasa Indonesia, he is able to teach in English.

During his first semester he paired 19 ITB students with 20 Texas A&M students to do global software development. He was very happy with the success of his efforts. He was able to accomplish everything he intended and the students were very enthusiastic about teaming with other students across the globe. This spring he has 31 ITB students and 32 at A&M.

Yesterday I met him at ITB and took some photos of him with his students after they received their certificates of professional development. They also received Aggie bags, pins and decals. Gig 'em!