Teaching Software Engineering in Developing Countries: A Position Paper

This paper presents a new perspective on the issue of localization and contextualization of the undergraduate software engineering curriculum in developing countries. We propose to supplement the international software engineering curriculum with the history, methods, techniques, anecdotes and experiences of the local software industries, its people, successes, failures and environment. The aim is to provide a more realistic student experience that connects international methods and processes with local examples. Thus producing graduates that are familiar with the local challenges and realities that have the capabilities to adapt and transform their acquired skills to meet the local context. This paper is based on the author's experience in teaching software engineering in a developing country and in working within that country's local software industry.