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This July, the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ Lyle School of Engineering welcomed students from across the globe to the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ Summer Research Bootcamp for Computer Science, a unique three-week initiative that connects global scholars to cutting-edge research at top research universities like ¾«¶«´«Ã½ Lyle.

In collaboration with the Global Education Institute (GEI), an international cohort of scholars joined us on the Hilltop for a research intensive packed with lessons ranging from cultural immersion and leadership training to academic research. The program, running from July 4th through July 25th, included mentoring sessions and daily academic meetings, as well as hands-on research experience tackling real-world challenges in the field of computer science.

“The Research Bootcamp provided not only an opportunity to gain deep insights into American engineering education but also a valuable experience to enhance academic skills, clarify career goals, accumulate academic and research experience, and boost professional competitiveness,” the GEI shared.



The Summer Research Bootcamp aimed to provide technical skills and cross-cultural competency to early career professionals with interest in driving computer science innovation at the global level. Under the guidance of Lyle faculty, participants began to unravel a key industry challenge – making coding faster, smarter, and more efficient.

“The reuse of existing code is vital for efficiency and quality,” GEI program developers detailed. “However, identifying relevant and reusable code snippets across large-scale repositories remains a technical challenge. Traditional keyword-based search engines fall short in understanding programming intent and structural similarity.”

Their research project centered on the development of a data-driven software search engine – allowing users to quickly and accurately identify relevant written code that can be repurposed in new projects, increasing speed and efficiency in software development.

Scholars experienced the impact of engaging in meaningful, results-driven research firsthand. “It was exciting to apply what I learned – using models like CodeBERT to build an actual semantic code search engine – and see the system retrieve meaningful code snippets from natural language queries,” one participant shared.

As the program came to a close, scholars had the opportunity to present their research among a cohort of Lyle professionals, receiving feedback to inform future projects. Along the way, they found transformative mentorship, technical skills to add to their toolbelt, and fun, immersive experiences, from guest lectures and research presentations to trips to ¾«¶«´«Ã½ volleyball games and the Fort Worth Stockyards.



“Hands-on experience, combined with mentorship and feedback from Dr. Xihao Xie and Dr. Chang Liu, made the learning process both practical and rewarding.”

Researchers left ¾«¶«´«Ã½ Lyle with far more than sharper technical skills. They met mentors to last a lifetime, skills to shape their careers, and a sense of belonging in a cross-cultural community of computer science innovators. The Summer Research Bootcamp for Computer Science demonstrates that when global collaboration meets hands-on research, the results deliver more than technical innovation – they produce meaningful, lasting impact.

“The experience was highly rewarding,” a graduating scholar emphasized. “I am grateful for the guidance, resources, and supportive environment provided throughout the bootcamp.”

About the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering

¾«¶«´«Ã½’s Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, ¾«¶«´«Ã½ Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.

About ¾«¶«´«Ã½

¾«¶«´«Ã½ is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. ¾«¶«´«Ã½’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, community and the world.