Computer Science

He turned a decade of hidden knowledge into a tool engineers use every day — and earned a job while doing it

photo of Nishant Gowthaman standing in Dillon HallMaster of Science in Computer Science student Nishant Gowthaman received a Rising Star Award for his contributions during a co-op placement with CenterLine (Windsor) Limited. During his work term, he developed a machine learning-powered system that transformed years of estimating data into a searchable resource, supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. (SHIVANGI ROY/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

When Nishant Gowthaman arrived at CenterLine (Windsor) Limited for his co-op placement, he was presented with a challenge that extended far beyond writing code.

The company had years of estimating data stored across thousands of spreadsheets, containing valuable knowledge that engineers often struggled to find and reuse. 

How a UWindsor co-op student turned AI solutions into real business results at RBC

portrait of Harshkumar Nayanbhai Patel outdoorsMaster of Applied Computing graduate Harshkumar Nayanbhai Patel earned a Rising Star Award for outstanding work during a Winter 2026 co-op placement at RBC, where he developed AI-powered solutions that improved efficiency and delivered business value. (SUBMITTED BY HARSHKUMAR NAYANBHAI PATEL/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

For Harshkumar Nayanbhai Patel (MAC '26), a co-op placement at RBC became more than a learning opportunity. By the end of his work term, he had helped develop AI-powered solutions that were saving thousands of engineering hours annually and earned a full-time software engineering position with the company.

How three UWindsor students cracked open vehicle communication safety at an international hackathon

Hashim Tayyab ShahHashim Tayyab Shah presents at the inaugural OmniAir Hackathon held at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. (Courtesy of Hashim Tayyab Shah/University of Windsor)

By Sara Elliott 

A future where vehicles communicate directly with one another is not so distant — but is the technology safe enough to deploy?  

That question was at the centre of the inaugural OmniAir Hackathon held at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where three University of Windsor graduate students earned first place for their research. 

What if your co-op was your own company? One UWindsor student found out

photo of Sydney Thompson and Kalkidan Wubshet standing at the head of boardroomSydney Thompson (left), program co-ordinator with the Office of Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship, stands with Kalkidan Wubshet, the first student to take part in the University of Windsor’s Entrepreneurship Co-op program. (MAHNOZ AKTARI/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

Instead of stepping into a traditional co-op role, University of Windsor computer science student Kalkidan Wubshet spent the work term building a startup — an experience that began with a simple realization.

“When it comes to communicating on campus, most students rely on word of mouth, Instagram, Discord, bulletin boards, etc.,” said Wubshet. “Everything is scattered.”

Shaping the next generation: UWindsor co-op supervisor earns top honour

photo of Michael Joyce accepting his awardMichael Joyce (left), a software designer at DuroByte and University of Windsor alumnus, accepts the Outstanding Co-op Supervisor Award from Kristen Morris, director of the Office of Experiential Learning, during the university’s Co-op and Experiential Learning Awards ceremony on April 1st. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

Michael Joyce (BComp ’25) still remembers arriving at work as a co-op student, unsure of what questions he was allowed to ask — or whether he belonged in the room.

Now, he is the one making sure students never feel that way.

High school robotics teams to face off in action-packed competition

Students work on a robot in front of a crowd at the St. Denis Centre at UWindsorTeams from high schools across the province will compete in the FIRST Robotics competition at the Toldo Lancer Centre April 9 to 11 (SARA ELLIOTT/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves

Thirty-five high school teams from across the province will converge at the University of Windsor’s Toldo Lancer Centre April 9 to 11 to put their teamwork, leadership and innovation to the test at the Windsor Essex Great Lakes District’s FIRST Robotics Competition. 

Robots will compete head-to-head, showcasing student engineering prowess, creative problem-solving and strategy in front of stands full of cheering fans. 

UWindsor co-op student moves from classroom to enterprise AI in one work term

image of Vansh Patel seated with laptopUniversity of Windsor Rising Star Award recipient Vansh Jignesh Patel demonstrates the power of experiential learning through hands-on work in enterprise AI. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

Vansh Jignesh Patel is completing his final semester in the Master of Applied Computing program at the University of Windsor, and his work is already making a measurable impact in the enterprise software and artificial intelligence industry.

Through his co-op placement with the University's Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships program, Patel is contributing to production-level AI systems used in real-world voice and data workflows.

When learning goes beyond the role, a rising star in experiential education

photo of Mohammed ParvezMohammed Parvez, a third-year computer science student at the University of Windsor, is a Rising Star Award recipient recognized for his co-op work with the Town of Kingsville as part of a series celebrating excellence in experiential learning. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)

By Victor Romao

A co-op placement with the Town of Kingsville gave University of Windsor student Mohammed Parvez the opportunity to apply his technical skills in a real-world municipal setting while gaining confidence through collaboration across municipal departments.

Parvez worked in a GIS-focused co-op role, where the placement helped shape his professional development and future career interests.

From Classroom to Career: How a Co-op at Vistaprint shaped a data analyst’s future

Image of Askat RamiAkshat Rami, one of UWindsor’s Summer 2025 Co-op/Internship Rising Star Award winners, turned his eight-month co-op into a career-building opportunity. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)

By Victor Romao

Turning classroom knowledge into real-world impact is the goal of every graduate—and for University of Windsor alum Akshat Rami (MAC 2025), that dream became reality through an eight-month co-op at Vistaprint, a leading brand architecture that offers design, digital and print solutions for small businesses.

In this role as a data analyst, the experience proved transformative.

“It wasn’t just focused on data analysis,” Rami explained.

UWindsor poet recognized on national CBC Poetry Prize longlist

Trina Das, fourth year UWindsor studentFourth-year University of Windsor student Trina Das had her poem, A Body of Water Running, longlisted for the 2025 CBC Poetry Prize. (LINDSAY CHARLTON/ University of Windsor)

By Lindsay Charlton

Against the backdrop of the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade tensions, a University of Windsor poet penned a “border city love letter” inspired by the tensions and the people caught in the midst of it. 

The poem A Body of Water Running by fourth-year student Trina Das, earned a spot on the 2025 CBC Poetry Prize longlist. 

“Living in Windsor, right across the border, there’s all this political stuff going on, and we’re kind of ground zero for it because of how closely our economies are tied,” Das explained.