The Diversity of Engineering Education:

December 5, 2024

Engineering Ed Graduate Shares Teachings Worldwide

In today’s world, new, innovative ways of teaching are being created to keep education fresh and students engaged in hands-on learning. Harry B. Santoso is one of these unique educators changing the field for the better.

Dr. Harry Santoso is a professor at the University of Indonesia, head of the Digital Library and Distance Learning lab, head of the Lecturer Competence Division for the Indonesian Association of Higher Education in Informatics and Computing and a USU alumnus.

Dr. Harry Santoso is a professor at the University of Indonesia, head of the Digital Library and Distance Learning lab, head of the Lecturer Competence Division for the Indonesian Association of Higher Education in Informatics and Computing and a USU alumnus.

Originally from Indonesia, Santoso received his undergraduate and master’s degree in computer science from the University of Indonesia. After graduating, he worked as a faculty member in the Computer Science Department and participated in an e-learning project focusing on learning management systems and e-learning content development. In 2009, Santoso moved to Logan to begin his Ph.D. in engineering education after a recommendation from the dean of his college.

“Cross-departmental research was the missing piece for my project’s success,” he said. “It provided additional perspective into academic change.”

Fast forward 15 years and Santoso is now a full professor at UI, teaching research methodology, computer assisted-instruction and human-computer interaction in the Computer Science Department. He is also head of the Digital Library and Distance Learning lab at UI and of the Lecturer Competence Division for the Indonesian Association of Higher Education in Informatics and Computing.

Santoso has mentored more than 10 Ph.D. students. Some of the students, who were supervised with the involvement of his colleagues, have graduated. The engineering education program taught him the strategies and tools needed to take his teaching and research to the next level.

Earning a Ph.D. in engineering education helped him improve management skills and expand his perspectives to prepare for his current role as the coordinator of graduate programs for the Computer Science Department.

“I learned these skills at USU,” said Santoso. “Teaching education with available technological resources is the path forward.”

Moving to Logan was Santoso’s first time studying abroad. Along with supportive peers and faculty, he fondly remembers Logan’s beautiful landscape and all the time spent inside the USU Merrill-Cazier Library for his research.

To those who are interested in following a similar path, Santoso encourages creating your own support systems in addition to the ones that might already be there.

“Learn as much as you can and make use of your time in beautiful Logan,” he said. “To the College of Engineering and the faculty in the Engineering Education Department: keep inspiring young minds. I’ll never forget your dedication to helping us learn.”

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Writer: Sydney Dahle, sydney.dahle@usu.edu, 435-797-7512

Contact: Harry Santoso, harrybs@cs.ui.ac.id