The doctoral dissertation in the field of Computer Science will be examined at the Faculty of Science and Forestry, Joensuu Campus and online.
What is the topic of your doctoral research? Why is it important to study the topic?
The area of my doctoral research in High Performance Computing and the topic is "Design and evaluation of micro high-performance computing as an educational tool to improve high-performance computing usability". It is important to study the topic because the research contribute to the understanding of the measures that need to be considered to enable students in developing countries to access and use high-performance computing systems as educational tool in computer science education. In essence, the research add new knowledge that will improve HPC system usability in the educational context for HPC resource-constrained educational environments.
What are the key findings or observations of your doctoral research?
The key findings or observations of my doctoral research are the positive perceptions of students towards HPC modules in the IT curriculum in Tanzania, the discovery of different HPC artefacts that have been used as learning interventions in HPC studies in the context of computer science education, the processes of designed and implemented a micro HPC system as an intervention in the teaching of HPC to IT students, and usefulness as an intervention in the teaching of HPC systems. The implementation of my research or its findings is new, valuable and interesting for the general public and/or the scientific community in the area democratization of HPC system in HPC resource-constrained educational environments especially in developing countries.
How can the results of your doctoral research be utilised in practice?
The results of my doctoral research can be utilized in rural areas for students to learn HPC systems concept and gain hands-on skills as the micro HPC artefacts are an affordable, accessible, and useful education tool for students in developing countries.
What are the key research methods and materials used in your doctoral research?
The process of my doctoral research has been guided by the design science paradigm as the epistemological basis for the research. The empirical studies and a systematic literature were conducted in Tanzania using different participants. The design science research processes comprised the following steps: problem explication, requirements definition, artefact development and design, artefact demonstration, and artefact evaluation. The data collection methods used were focus groups, questionnaires, and a systematic literature review. The collected data were analyzed using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches.
Is there something else about your doctoral dissertation you would like to share in the press release?
The micro HPC artefacts are an affordable, accessible, and useful education tool for students in developing countries that will enable students to gain skills to integrate the HPC system, write parallel programs, manage HPC system, and design HPC system.
The doctoral dissertation of Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga, MSc, entitled Design and evaluation of micro high-performance computing as an educational tool to improve high-performance computing usability will be examined at the Faculty of Science and Forestry, Joensuu Campus. The opponent will be Associate Professor Jussi Kasurinen, LUT University, and the custos will be Professor Markku Tukiainen, University of Eastern Finland. Language of the public defence is English.
For more information, please contact:
Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga, moses.nkundwe@gmail.com, +255782800375
- Public examination online
- Dissertation book online
- Photo available for download (coming)
