About the ISSP Program

Industry Sponsored Student Project (ISSP) program is a three-way partnership between the sponsoring organizations, the students and the institution.

Here is a typical timeline and role description in an ISSP project:

Prior to a Project Term:

Sponsors submit project proposals online
BCIT reviews the proposals and puts suitable projects in the selection pool

First week of the Project Term:

Students select projects and contact sponsors to start the process
Sponsors provide the students detailed project information, confirm objectives, scope and performance criteria, as well as make available the necessary resources/access to work on the project
BCIT assigns a faculty supervisor to each project to help students with project management

During the Project Term

Sponsors and students work closely and meet regularly (in-person or online)
Sponsors and supervisors provide feedback and guidance

End of the Project Term

Students deliver/install final project for the sponsors
Sponsors join in evaluation and grading (often includes a project presentation on campus)

Expectations for sponsors working with the students

Before you submit a project, please read the following information and the frequently asked questions page, or check out the Intro Video to decide whether your project is suitable for the program.

Commitment of time and resources from sponsoring organizations is essential for a successful project. A dedicated contact person from the sponsoring organization is expected to provide direction and feedback to the students throughout the project term. This contact person should meet with the students initially at term start, and subsequently at least once a week, in person or online*. While this contact person does not need to have technical knowledge, s/he should have well-defined project business objectives and performance criteria.

During the project term, students work at BCIT and are not required to co-locate with their clients. The sponsors do not need to find work space for the students.

* For the intensive 5-week project term in April/May, sponsors are expected to work and communicate with the students on a daily basis – for up to an hour a day.

Project areas and types of projects

DevOps
Networking
Web Development
Mobile Development
Scripting/IT
Games
AR/VR
Machine Learning/Algorithms/Research
Other

Types of suitable computing projects can include problem-solving, proof-of-concept, engineering, or research and development. Projects from any industry are welcome for consideration.

Hints for suitable project proposals

The most appropriate project proposals are those that:

Are well defined with appropriate scope and achievable goals (See “How do I know if my project is appropriately scoped?” in frequently asked questions)
Offer enough challenge to be rewarding and opportunity to apply knowledge already acquired from studies. For student skills and knowledge, see the following program matrixes:
Full-Stack Web Development (FSWD) Diploma
Computer Systems Technology (CST) Diploma
Computer Information Technology (CIT) Diploma
Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science
Demonstrate your interest and ability to provide sufficient technical knowledge (or technical support) to work with the students

Since there is NO GUARANTEE on the success or when/if a project is selected, mission-critical or time-sensitive projects are usually not suitable.

A Computer Systems Technology (CST) project team took on a project for airG, a Vancouver-based company with millions of people all over the world using its products to stay informed, entertained, and connected. “I was impressed with how organized the BCIT team was.”

Duration, timing and program scope

There are a variety of project durations and timing options depending on the programs the students are in.

Term	Program	Start term	Approx. term duration	Number of students on team	Typical number of selected projects	Part-time/Full-time	Approx. total hours of work	Submission deadline
Fall	CST	Beginning of Sep	13 weeks	4-5	25-30	Part-time	400 hours	Aug 1
Fall	CIT	Beginning of Sep	13 weeks	4-8	12	Part-time	400 hours	Aug 1
Winter	CST	Beginning of Jan	13 weeks	4-5	25-30	Part-time	400 hours	Dec 1
	CIT			4-8	12	Part-time
	FSWD			4-8	2-4	Part-time
Spring	CST	End of Apr	5 weeks	4-5	60	Full-time	400 hours	March 23
Spring	SSD	Mid Apr	4 weeks	4-5	6	Full-time	400 hours	March 23
Summer	CST	End of May	10 weeks	4-5	1-4	Part-time	400 hours	March 23

Final year diploma students work in teams of four or five over a 13-week period starting in September and January terms.

Students carry out the project on a part-time basis parallel with ongoing coursework. Each student team is required to dedicate 400 hours of work to the project.

There are also teams of final-term diploma students who undertake four-week, full-time projects in April-May each year.

Programs’ scope

Computer Systems Technology (CST): suitable projects can be designing and implementation of a:

Web Application using a framework such as React and Angular with a programming language such as Node js, Python, Java, PHP and GO.
Mobile Application for Android and iOS using a framework such as Flutter, react Native.
Scalable Cloud Application with public cloud providers such as AWS and Azure.
Web and mobile game.

Computer Information Technology (CIT): suitable projects are related to DevOps, Scripting, Cloud Integration, Machine Learning and Web Development. Technologies: Python, Node, AWS, Azure, Bash.

Systems Software Developer (SSD): suitable projects could include web or mobile projects with a database backend. Technologies could include ASP.NET, Laravel, Node, ReactNative, Ionic, iOS, or Android with Kotlin.

Sponsor commitments

To participate in BCIT’s Industry Sponsored Student Project (ISSP) program, I agree to the following sponsor commitments:

I understand that the ISSPs are worked on by students who are learning as they go, and are not professional consultants. Therefore, a complete deliverable is not guaranteed.
If the students select my project, I will be available on a weekly basis during the project term to work with the students and provide information, feedback, and guidance.
Pay a $500 Participation Fee to BCIT – an invoice will be generated if your project is selected. (This fee will be waived for not-for-profits and charities.)
Upon completion of the project, I will do my best to attend the project presentation and provide an assessment of student performance.
According to BCIT’s Intellectual Property Policy, students in the ISSP, or any student project, own the IP they create. If this is an issue, I agree to use BCIT’s Standard Non-Disclosure and Intellectual Property Agreement, which must be completed at the beginning of the project term. (BCIT can provide a copy of this agreement for your review if you require it.)

Working with and supporting more than one student team on this same proposed project, if multiple teams are available.
Scoping my project into multiple phases to work with students over multiple terms.

Fees

While the students do not get paid for the execution of the projects, there is a $500 (+tax) Participation Fee for each selected project. An invoice will be sent to the sponsor of each of the selected projects for this fee. In the event multiple projects by the same sponsor are selected, or a project is worked on in multiple terms, $500 will be charged per project, per term.

Fees will be waived for projects done for charity or not-for-profit organizations (Charity organization registration number or official NPO status will be required).

Is your project idea research & development (R&D)?

You may be able to partner with BCIT to get research and development grants.

Companies with R&D projects may be eligible to receive 66% of the total project costs from the NSERC Alliance Grants.

Minimum project size: $20,000 annually
Maximum project size: $1,000,000 annually
Project duration: 1-5 years
Funding decision: 4-8 weeks

More details, or contact Dr. Michal Aibin to discuss R&D projects.