• Wintel Systems Specialist
• Commercial Manager - National...
• Security Engineer
• SALES EXECUTIVE
• Senior Flash Developer / ...

ACS Foundation attracts future stars

ACS staff, Information Age

24/02/2004 13:57:15

Such is the calibre of students who have received scholarships, half averaged High Distinctions in their results for 2003, while 86 per cent averaged Distinctions or higher.

Catherine Jones has just begun her third year at James Cook University after scoring straight HDs last semester. James Tyzack at Deakin University achieved 87 per cent or higher for every subject he undertook, while his colleague, Danielle Anawati, scored HDs ranging from 83 per cent to 93 per cent. Already fluent in French, she is now studying Italian to improve her employment prospects and has just successfully completed her IBL semester with Sun Microsystems in Sydney, giving her real-life work experience to help guide her future study and career choices.

The standard has been equally high at other tertiary institutions around the country, leading ACS Foundation Chair John Ridge to comment that the Foundation is building the next generation of Australia’s ICT leaders.

“These students are not only outstanding academically, but they are also excellent communicators and, through their membership of the ACS, they are learning to value professional standards and ethics.

“I have no doubt that these young people will be the leaders of the Australian ICT profession into the future,” he said.

His comments are reinforced by the students themselves, who recognise the benefits and opportunities the ACS Foundation and the Society itself can provide.

“I am very appreciative of being enrolled in such a prestigious course and also being awarded a scholarship from the ACS,” said Andrew Dudas, a second-year Business IT student at Deakin whose highest mark was in a Communications Skills subject.

“I also appreciate being a member in your Society and enjoy reading the ACS magazines,” he said.

Leroy Lum, an extremely bright student enrolled in a double degree – a Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Sciences combined with a Bachelor of Engineering at UWA – is being supported by Compuware.

Although he’s doesn’t yet know what shape his career will take, beyond being “something to do with computers”, Leroy is enjoying his studies as well as the peace of mind the scholarship provides.

“The ACS Foundation scholarship means I don’t have to worry about money, but can pay my HECS up front and not have a huge debt when I graduate,” he said.

“I first became interested in technology through computer games and really enjoy the challenge of programming because you have to be quite creative and good at problem-solving.”

Leroy’s decision to undertake a double degree with majors in business, computing and engineering ensures he will be highly sought after on graduation as companies increasingly seek ICT professionals with a mix of business and technical knowledge.

ACS Foundation Executive Director Peter Rose said the scholarship students are a cut above most other graduates.

“The students with whom we work want to be leaders and want to be mentored into those leadership roles by industry and the profession. They understand the importance of building long-term relationships with organisations like the ACS as well as with business people, and are committed to learning for life,” he said.

“We need to develop a culture of mentoring that helps us to attract more students of this calibre into the ICT sector to ensure a strong and vibrant future for our industry.”