The Scrum Turkey community have launched a program called Agile Sparrow aimed at giving university graduates a deep experiential understanding of the Scrum framework. Going beyond just the two-day Scrum training this program requires participants to apply their knowledge and meet regularly with coaches to reinforce and expand their skills. The program is offered free to students and is supported by sponsorship.
InfoQ spoke to Baris Bal, one founders of Scrum Turkey and lead coach of the program. He said that:
This is the first Agile camp in the world. The program is supported by Jeff Sutherland who is the co-creator of Scrum and Arline Sutherland. We are very happy to support personal growth of young participants with our volunteer mentors. Also we will work hard to make this program as a world wide known brand. So we thanks a lot to our awesome sponsors Scrum Alliance, T2 Software Ltd. and IK Dunyasi
Agile Sparrow is a program which is designed to spread agile thinking in the right way. We are aiming to grow professionals which are knowledgable about Agile. with this program. The participants who are graduated from Agile Sparrow will learn information of how to start agile transformation and how to lead these activities in their early career steps.
InfoQ: What is Agile Sparrow Program & Why was the program devised?
Agile Sparrow is a program dedicated to spreading agile thinking created by Scrum Turkey, the leading Agile community in Turkey. Fifteen people, either in their last year of university or no more than one-year past the date of university graduation, will be selected via an interview process for a six-month study program. A significant part of the course consists of small group meetings that take place in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir, so we are looking for residents of those cities. Exceptions may be considered. There is no charge to participants.
InfoQ: What are the goals of the program?
The purpose of the program is as follows:
- Increase the awareness of Agile
- Expand the Agile community
- Teach Agile to people who are newly graduated and/or undergrad students close to graduation
InfoQ: What's special about it?
Agile Sparrow is a unique program and it is an original idea of Scrum Turkey. It is the first program in the world which is designed for university students with no cost.
InfoQ: Who the target audience are & how are candidates selected?
Fifteen people, either in their last year of university or no more than one-year past the date of university graduation, will be selected via an interview process for a six-month study program.
InfoQ: What participants will get from participation in the program
- Have a chance to learn and apply Agile principles
- Learn the Scrum framework in detail
- Experience self-organisation and teamwork
- Recieve a certificate of participation
- Become eligible to be a coach / mentor at future Agile Sparrow programs.
- Become eligible to post on Scrum Turkey, the most popular agile blog in Turkey
More details can be found on the Agile Sparrow website.