YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce a recent publication by Dr. Reza Malekian, dean of the Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (ACSE) and director of the Engineering Research Center at AUA.
Titled “Capstone Project in Computer Science, Engineering, and Data Science: Learning Through Multiple Teaching and Learning Activities,” Dr. Malekian’s article was published in the international peer-reviewed journal Interchange and is available through Springer’s open-access platform.
The article explores a structured approach to capstone projects across computer science and engineering programs, demonstrating how guided teaching and learning activities can help students stay engaged, gain research experience, and develop essential skills such as teamwork and collaboration.
Capstone projects are often framed as final academic experiences in which students apply their accumulated knowledge to a major project. The article notes that while some approaches often emphasize the final outcome, they offer limited structured learning in the process. As a result, students may not have sufficient opportunities for continuous practice and feedback as they work on their projects, which can limit deeper engagement and skill development. The article suggests that integrating multiple teaching and learning activities throughout the capstone course can provide students with ongoing opportunities to practice, engage, and develop crucial skills, such as the ability to work in teams, thereby promoting deep learning.
To address this challenge, the study introduces a model that embeds multiple teaching and learning activities (TLAs) in the capstone course. These include an introductory lecture, written research assignments, student presentations and opposition, as well as group discussions and feedback, all designed to support students as they progress through their projects.
As highlighted in the publication, these activities help students “practice and engage with their projects while developing crucial skills, including teamwork and collaboration.” The structured approach also supports higher levels of learning by encouraging reflection, discussion, and continuous improvement.
Reflecting on the publication, Dr. Malekian remarked, “This article is the outcome of two pedagogy courses I completed at Lund University. I implemented the projects from these courses in the capstone course at the Faculty of Technology and Society at Malmö University, where I was responsible for the course for five years. The goal was to design teaching and learning activities that support students in presenting their work, acting as opponents, and giving and receiving feedback from peers and the course instructor, thereby promoting deep learning through interaction and discussion. Another aim was to support students in publishing their project work in conferences. Both objectives were achieved with high levels of satisfaction. Building on this experience, I now aim to support ACSE programs in revising the processes and deliverables of their capstone courses to foster deep and active learning, as well as help the students prepare papers for their projects.”
Dr. Malekian’s work contributes to broader discussions in higher education on how experiential or project-based learning can be designed more effectively in computing and engineering programs. The proposed framework offers instructors a practical way to transform capstone projects from a single end-of-course assignment into a continuous learning journey.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.