Ritsumeikan Open Talks - IAO x ISSE [Zam] The MTM Challenge

Ever wondered what students at Ritsumeikan do on their summer break? 
Summer breaks in Japan can actually be exciting, yet even with COVID-19, changing our year 2020, one of our students found something special to do. Interested? 
Come take a read, watch the video or listen in as we chat and talk with one of our Ambassadors. 

Interview Conducted in Spring Semester 2021

Podcast, Video, and Transcript provided.

We discuss the Master The Mainframe contest, from IBM, a worldwide leader in Information and Systems Technology. This program has professionals, students, and enthusiasts take part in a learning program and contest in programming. Shaiful Nizam, an Ambassador from our Information Systems Science and Engineering Course (ISSE), earned the highest level award of Level 3. We chat with him about the contest and his achievement. 

Summary:
- Video Episode 
- Podcast Episode
- Transcript of Talk

• Introductions
• IBM and the MTM challenge
• Preparing for the challenge
• Reflection on MTM results
• Advice for future ISSE
• Skills learnt on challenge
• Next Steps and other challenges
• Closing Comments

Video Episode

Podcast Episode

Transcript of Talk

Edited for easier reading.

Jeremy: Hi Zam! How are you? Are you good?

🗨️Zam: Good Day, I'm fine thanks, yes.

Where are you today?

🗨️I'm on my campus today, BKC. This is the Robotics Lab.

Oh! Nice. Okay. Yes, I think I have only been to a few of the labs there, the Robotics labs is one of the labs there.

🗨️It is one of the more well-equipped labs actually. We have the hardware. 

Oh, hardware. Laugh Ritsumeikan has started to finally have some students back on campuses, so it is good to see you in the labs. Thank you so much for giving me your time today. It's really great chance to talk to you because I wanted to share your story that you told me. 

🗨️It is a pleasure to be here. 

Alright, briefly, for those that don't know or haven't known Zam before, he actually has completed a Student Voice, so you can take a look. You can read more in-depth on how Zam came to Ritsumeikan and be at his course right now. Can you share with us briefly, how you got to ISSE (Information Systems Science and Engineering)?

🗨️It's a funny story. I was visiting an education fair in Kuala Lumpur, because my sister was at a university also, so she told me, "Come visit our booth." Laugh So I went there. At the fair, there was an area of booths just for Japanese universities. It was particularly special that time as well since usually there won't be many foreign universities participating. I noticed the Japanese universities, so I looked around and Ritsumeikan stood out to me. It was the only one that was offering English-based courses. That caught my attention. 

🗨️After that, I immediately started the application process, it took me about 1 year, and I joined in the Spring 2019 intake. 

Yea, ISSE is an Information Science and Technology course here at Ritsumeikan. Speaking of Information Technology, many people know of IBM. IBM conducts a unique program called Master The Mainframe (MTM). I am excited to talk to Zam about it, as it is also a contest, not just an education program. What made you take part in the MTM Contest? 

🗨️Firstly, the contest itself is related to programming and I am highly interested in programming. Also, the contest starts around and during my summer vacation. So yea, I had so much free time and didn't have much anything else to do. So I thought it was a good idea to try it out and see where it would lead. The contest itself was open to people with zero knowledge about mainframes. I have programming experience but I haven't worked with mainframes before. For me it was unchartered territory. In the contest, we use an older programming language called COBOL. It stands for Common Business-Oriented Language. COBOL is mainly used for businesses. On the contrary, for example, when developing mobile apps, there is JAVA. Banking and businesses would mainly use COBOL. The structure of the contest is divided into 3 levels. There are instructions given to complete tasks and solve problems. The problems are simulated and you try to solve it. As programmers, we are problems solvers.

Well, for a layman or someone like myself, who has not done programming as intensive as a course, and still new to technology, what is a mainframe? 

🗨️The word mainframe comes from those large boxes that you might have seen people call servers. It is the metal enclosures that encapsulate the server or servers and the computer components. If you look at your computer desktop, you have a small metal box. Sometimes it fits under your desk. Mainframes are usually 5 times the size and can fit the whole room from top to bottom. They are computers that can process massive amounts of data. It's not a normal Personal Computer (PC). Data like census, statistics, and when you want to do complex simulation modeling, then use mainframes. The computing power is larger than the usual class of computers. During the competition, IBM uses their IBM-Z mainframe. 

🗨️Master The Mainframe contest is divided into 3 levels, the 1st level is an introduction to the mainframe environment and the COBOL language. Many participants actually have no background in using mainframes. It was very helpful to break the ice. The instructions for this level are very detailed. When you come to the 2nd level, this is when there are tasks to solve the problems. The instructions are less detailed than the 1st level. The difficulty level starts. In the 3rd level, the final level. Where they have "real life situation" problems. You are tasked to solve out the problems. It can be said that it is simulation.

So you said you are using these big computers, are these like supercomputers? 

🗨️Well, depending on the how the mainframes are configured, it can be classified as supercomputers. Mainframes can be a supercomputer, but usually, supercomputers are bigger than your normal mainframe. Mainframes can be supercomputers but supercomputers cannot be mainframes. Laugh

What tools did you use whilst on this contest? 

🗨️For programmers, our main tools are what we call an IDE. Integrated Development Environment. As a programmer, you code in an IDE. It helps as it connects and integrates with other environments. For example, you prepare some code and you want the code to connect to a database. The IDE would help to connect to the database. It will also work with other applications to work with your program. That is why it is called an IDE. For the MTM, we use an IDE called Visual Studio Code. It works like a workbench, MTM would suggest plug-ins & extensions to install into the IDE to expand from the basic set-up. 

Ah, so it is like getting more tools onto the workbench? 

🗨️Yes, a few examples of the plugs-ins are the IBM-Z open editor to enable us to work with COBOL to program. And there is the Zowe Explorer - an interface to access the z/OS operating system that is running on the mainframe. It is similar to opening and using your laptop's windows explorer or mac's finder. 

With this knowledge of mainframes, can you share examples of what people can do with the mainframe?

🗨️The knowledge of mainframes would enable people to work on the mainframes, and mainframes are mostly used by banks. People with mainframe knowledge will likely be attractive candidates for banks. If not working for banks, they would likely work to develop business applications, that leverage the power of the mainframe. The main thing is the knowledge on utilizing the mainframe to get the job done when developing business applications . 

How did you prepare for the contest? Did you talk or discuss with your professors?

🗨️The contest itself isn't related to the university, so when I applied for the contest, it was just on a personal basis. The professors were not involved, so I did not particularly discuss with them. The classes that I take at Ritsumeikan, especially the programming subjects, helped me a lot. 

Yes, that brings me to the next question actually, are there any studies at ISSE that have helped you? 

🗨️Of course, the programming classes really helped me during the challenges in the contest. The way we face problems and solve the problems is important. It wasn't pure knowledge. You might know things but you might be able to solve the problem. From my classes, I acquire the experience in solving problems. I built upon these experiences to overcome the challenges. 

With this knowledge, accomplishment and experiences, where do you see yourself applying these skills and technologies? 

🗨️Well, let's see, I know now that I am not going to be working on Mainframes in the future. Laugh But the knowledge of working in that environment was really important. You know, because the competition is carried out differently, businesses like IBM work differently. We were not in school. The experience you cannot find in university. The information and experience from this contest, I can apply it to my final year research. When we start to conduct our final year research, we need a lot of discipline, as we work on our own. Time management, resource management, etc. These were indirectly covered in the contest. You pick up those skills in the contest along the way. 

Where would you extend these skills into research? What would you like to do? 

🗨️This semester, for my PBL, I was assigned to the Intelligent Robotic Systems Lab, we just call it the Robotics Lab. I will continue doing research in this area. I also decided to continue the research for my final year in this lab, as my first choice. Currently, the research happening in this lab is related to flood monitoring. They use drones to monitor floods and rescue people. The standard perception of robots is humanoid robots, but drones are also robots, and it is a different approach and very interesting. 

Do you think your perceptions have changed due to the contest?

🗨️I entered the contest with a strong keen affinity to technology. It didn't really change my perception that much. What I did gain, from the contest, is that you can solve a problem or a task if you know how to find the information that you need. As we are now in the Information Age, and information is at your fingertips. If you know how to look for the information, you will be able to do anything. 

Appreciate that advice there, and moving along the same lines, what is good guidance for future students looking to challenge themselves?

🗨️Well, some guidance for new students, learn about programming. It does not matter what language. When I joined Ritsumeikan, I only knew JAVA. Now after 2 years and entering my 3rd year, I know Python, processing, C, and a little bit of machine language. I know 4 languages already and of course COBOL from IBM. 

You definitely recommend students to learn about programming.

🗨️It is important the know the basics for programming, the basics such as For-loops and If-Else statements. These are similar concepts, so just pick up a language, get the basics. When it is time to learn another language, it will be familiar, and you won't have to start afresh. A good foundation to start. 

🗨️Another general guidance, it's not what you know, that would decide if you can answer a question, it is to know how and where to find the information to help you answer the question. 

It was amazing, how you were able to fit the time in to do this contest?

🗨️As I said earlier, the contest took place during summer, so I had plenty of time to work on the contest. But the end of level 3 was actually after classes had already started for the fall semester. During level 3, I had to juggle my schedule, so I only had time to work on the contest. The good thing about the MTM contest is that it lasts until December, about 6 months. They know that most of the students who take part, they have life commitments, not a continuous 24/7 hour contest. It is stretched out over a period. 

Yea, that is quite a lengthy contest. 

🗨️I realized after classes started, that they took a higher priority over the contest. There is a tendency to forget about the contest. That was also probably why not many actually have completed up to level 3. In Japan, there were only 17 people, in the whole of Japan, out of roughly 1700+ participants. The MTM is a worldwide competition, and they are divided into regions, and Japan is just one of the regions. 

Yea, what was your schedule like during the contest? 

🗨️Yes, time management is an important skill. I usually wake up around 6:30 AM, this is my normal schedule during the semester. My morning routine usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes. From 7:00 to 8:00 AM, I make and eat breakfast, as well as prepare my bentou lunch. It's nothing special, just an egg sandwiches. If I have classes in 1st period, it starts at 9 AM, I would take the bus to campus, otherwise, I walk to campus. It is around a 20-minute walk. This semester I usually stay on campus until around 6 or 7 PM, and depending on the weather or mood, I would walk or just take the bus home. If I am too tired already, I just take the bus. Once at home, I have my evening routine, have dinner until around 8 or 9 PM. After that, it is usually working on homework and study until 12 PM. I try not to stay up until 1 AM because I have to wake up again around 6:30 AM. That is my whole day. 

So with the contest, you conducted that daily schedule constantly through the contest?

🗨️Yes, during the contest, at first it was summer vacation and I didn't have to go to classes. I still woke up at 6:30. I like to maintain that discipline and make it easier. Even in the weekends. 

With that time management, you were able to complete the contest, schedule the balance. Wow, that is great input for future students, or even myself, who might take up these contests or challenges.
Once again, congratulations for completing the highest level. Just one more question, are you planning to take on other challenges? Maybe the MTM contest again? 

🗨️I might take the MTM challenges again. Even though Level 3 is classified as the highest level, there is actually another level above that. It is called the Grand Challenge. It is completely different from the other 3 levels and requires you to come up with your original idea, an application basically, that would utilize the mainframe. I didn't attempt the challenge, as at the time, I didn't have any idea on what to do. I don't have a background with mainframes, apart from the MTM challenge itself, and I was out of ideas by that point. 

🗨️With another MTM challenge and my previous experience, I see possibilities for inspiration. One thing to note is that the challenge changes from year to year, it isn't the same. Who knows, it might be easier in the next MTM. We'll see. Laugh

Oh! It changes from year to year... Thank you so much for explaining that. For anyone that is listening, reading, or watching, and really interested in taking the MTM challenge or considering coming to ISSE, it's worth attempting since it changes every year. 

🗨️Level 1, Level 2, and even Level 3 would change. It won't be the same as the 2020 MTM. The next one will have different challenges.

Yea, that makes the MTM an interesting challenge, you cannot really practice for it. Knowing the foundations are important as you said before. 

🗨️No one knows if 2021s MTM or next year's MTM is going to be easier. 

Well, it's been great. I know more about the MTM challenge now. Most importantly once again, congratulations for completing and undertaking the MTM contest. Impressive 6-months, juggling time, learning new skills, and maybe taking the Grand Challenge in the future. I've learnt a lot from today's talk today. Thank you for your time Zam. 

Do they change the designs per year?

🗨️Most probably, I think so, from year to year

Yea! Limited Edition T-Shirts. Take part in it for that. 

Thank you so much Zam, Thank you so much to those listening, reading, and watching. I hope this is interesting for everyone. Appreciate the time today. Have a good day, Zam.

🗨️You're welcome, thank you for having me. 

End of Transcript.