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ACS News

ACS staff, Information Age

04/01/2008 02:59:38

Society elects new president, three vice presidents

The ACS has elected Kumar Parakala as its 2008/2009 President, a role in which he plans to focus on skills, education and promoting ICT's relevance to the business community.

"I intend to drive relevant national ICT strategic matters that are critical to ICT professionals such as skills gap, ICT higher education, green issues, industry collaboration and accreditation.

I will also continue to promote professionalism in ICT as it is key to mitigating risk within the industry. This includes developing thought leadership, policies and position statements to meet the needs of members and community.

"I will also focus on promoting the relevance of ICT to business professionals. This includes understanding the ubiquitous nature of ICT and highlighting ICT's changing role across all professions."

An ICT professional for 18 years, he has worked in senior management roles in healthcare, professional services, manufacturing and the public sector and is now Chief Operating Officer of KPMG's Global IT Advisory Practice.

As an ACS member for almost a decade, Parakala has been a national Vice President, BEC member for Queensland and NSW, and NSW Branch Chairman. He was awarded the Queensland Government's Leadership Excellence Award in 2000 and has served as the member of the Queensland Government CIO Council.

He takes over as ACS National President on January 1, 2008 after current President Philip Argy completes his two-year term.

Vice presidents Three new National Vice Presidents have been elected to the ACS for 2008/9: Bob Cross, Mark Lloyd and Stephen Kowal for 2008/2009. Said current ACS President Philip Argy: "I am delighted to be able to announce the appointment of these individuals to the roles of national ACS President and Vice Presidents. As senior executives representing the private and public sectors, they have tremendous knowledge and experience within the ICT industry.

"I would also like to thank outgoing Vice Presidents Catherine Jaktman and Kumar Parakala on their achievements and determination," he said.

Governance change "Also, I am grateful that members have also approved the proposed change of ACS Governance for a more equitable structure with a more efficient decision-making process and this change will enable the new Management Committee to better direct the ACS," said Mr Argy.

Dr Bob Cross is a principal of Whiteknight Business Consulting, and was International Director for the School of Computer and Information Science at Edith Cowan University and State Manager for CSC Australia and Datec.

He is currently a committee member of ACS Foundation in WA and a member of ACS Academic Board, and was a member of WA ICT Industry Development Forum advising the WA Minister for Science and Technology.

Mark Lloyd is Project Director for the Department of Public Works (DPW), Queensland State Government. Mark has held previous roles as Chief Information Officer of DPW, Business Solutions Manager of DPW and CorpTech's Director of Business Alignment.

As chairman of the Queensland Branch in 2006, he initiated and developed Technologists in the Public Interest, a national initiative promoting debate within the ICT community about establishing codes of conduct and standards for ICT workers. He is a member of Griffith University's ICT Industry Advisory Board and is chair of the International Organising Committee, World Computer Congress, being held in 2010 in Brisbane.

Stephen Kowal is Chief Information Officer and Director Business Excellence of CSC Australia, and has previously been CIO of Western Mining Corporation (WMC) and led the information technology integration of WMC into BHP Billiton. He has also been CIO of BHP Billiton base metals, global information technology outsourcing manager at BHP Billiton, and worked for the Defence Department.

Kowal is director of the ACS Membership Lifecycle Board, a Fellow of Financial Services Institute of Australia and a Member of Project Management Institute.

Project specialist Bruce Kruttschnitt has been appointed ACS Treasurer. A Fellow of the ACS and member of Australian Institute of Project Management, he takes over the position from Bob Cross.

++++ ACS Foundation pushes ICT marketing initiative

The ACS Foundation has announced plans to drive an industry-led initiative to improve the way the ICT sector promotes itself as a source of diverse and rewarding career opportunities.

ACS Foundation executive director John Ridge said the initiative grew out of the recent Great IT Jobs Debate organised by the Foundation to bring together some of the industry's leading CEOs, CIOs and other stakeholders to discuss the key challenges affecting the ICT workforce in coming years.

"The debate saw significant agreement amongst employers and other stakeholders for the need to develop a national marketing plan for the ICT sector, to be broadly adopted, driven and supported by the industry, and supported by all goverments.

"I'm putting together a group that represents a good cross-section of the industry to develop a national strategy for promoting ICT careers to students and other potential ICT workers," Ridge said.

"As the independent body focused on students, we are the appropriate organisation to drive this initiative, but the industry as a whole must own it, embrace it and come on board with input, resources and financial support."

The decision to push forward with a national promotion follows research that found that many high school and university students overlooked ICT careers because they didn't have a clear picture of what it would involve.

"A two- to five-year campaign that clearly explains the benefits and opportunities available in ICT is necessary to reverse the downturn in ICT study applications and begin to address the shortfall in available skills," Ridge said.

The Great IT Jobs Debate was moderated by global workforce specialist and author Peter Sheahan, and discussed issues such as: • Will ICT continue to grow as an industry? • Are the opportunities real? • What's the accurate estimate of employment? • How can the ICT industry best exploit its enviable position as the centrepiece of the Australian economy?

"This is a huge industry...the future of an economy with 21 million people is likely to be in our cleverness in our ability to innovate and change," according to Peter Sheahan.

"ICT should be the centre point for [that economy] moving forward. Whether it be via other industries like new alternative energy sources, ICT is going to underpin those industries and that economic growth no matter what we ride home on the back of ... ICT is a core part of how we grow and move forward." The Foundation's Ridge said the event was the first in a series of important conversations to raise the awareness of the ICT opportunity.

"We need this message to reach graduates, high school students parents, careers advisers and mature aged workers in other fields and disciplines, who may be considering a career change. We need them to understand the many career opportunities and skills that are in demand not only within the ICT industry, but also in diverse other industries such as advertising, film, finance and architecture, because of the way ICT underpins every sector of the economy.

"We are delighted with the outcomes of the inaugural event as we were able to announce new scholarships worth more than $250,000 to be made available in 2008. We look forward to making the debate an annual event and to announcing additional scholarship opportunities in the future," he said.

"The recent comments about our industry by Kevin Rudd in his campaign launch speech were very encouraging. It showed a good understanding of a number of the issues we are facing, and it was positive to see ICT gain this level of recognition by our political leaders," he said.

ACS Foundation chairman John Debrincat made the announcement about the new "Innovation Creativity and Transformation Scholarships" which aim to encourage enrolments in ICT courses.

"The scholarships are supported by the ACS Foundation, the ACS, IBM and Tripoint and will be awarded at the beginning of the next academic year to students at those universities which also contribute financially.

"Eleven Australian universities have so far committed to the program, and Sydney University has contributed five scholarships specifically targeted at women. The number of scholarships will continue to grow over the next few months and we realistically expect the total value will reach $500,000 or beyond," Debrincat said.

He called on governments and industry to provide further financial support for these scholarships through the ACS Foundation. "In this election year with the focus on skills and productivity it seems an appropriate commitment for both the Federal Government and the Opposition to make," he said.

The 11 universities currently supporting the new ACS Foundation scholarships are: • University of Technology Sydney • University of Sydney • Charles Sturt University • Queensland University of Technology • University of Queensland • University of Canberra • Australian National University • RMIT • Curtin University • Edith Cowen University • Murdoch University

Information and applications for these scholarships can be completed via the relevant University Web sites, and information regarding them is available at the ACS Foundation Web site.

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ACS calls for obligation to broadband and mobile technologies The ACS has called on the Government to broaden the terms of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) as part of its review of Australia's telecommunications service standards.

The USO is designed to provide regulatory requirements to ensure that all Australians have access to basic telephone services and payphones. The ACS has presented a formal submission to the USO Review and is keen to work with Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) to ensure the review process results in a more contemporary and relevant document capable of helping to reverse the "digital divide".

The ACS has recommended that the USO review must consider the way mobile communications is developing as a universal information platform with significant potential for remote Internet access. ACS telecommunications board director Prof Reg Coutts says that regardless of which party is elected, Australia needs a USO for this century that encompasses broadband and mobile technologies as essential platforms for the delivery of communication services. "Australia faces a growing digital divide, which is being exacerbated by the huge disparity between the quality of telecommunications services provided in our cities and those available in rural and remote parts of the country.

"The USO was written at a time when a standard fixed line service was all anyone needed, but times have changed. The ACS believes it's time to expand the USO in recognition of the fact that Australians today need voice communications, e-mail and online access to services to play their part in society." "We seek a commitment from all political parties that the USO review will result in a regulatory framework that guarantees appropriate and relevant service levels not only for voice, but also for broadband Internet access, for all Australians, " he said.

Current election debate by both parties to provide access to 100Mbit/s from the planned broadband infrastructure is an important part, along with ICT skills development, for addressing the deepening digital divide. According to the latest ACS online survey of its members, broadband is the main ICT election issue for 49.45 per cent of respondents, followed by skills and education (31.46 per cent) and the need for a national ICT strategy (9.08 per cent).

Professor Coutts explains: "We urgently need the government to allocate appropriate spectrum for wireless broadband since this is an essential element of any plan to deliver broadband services to the bush.

"Unfortunately, the debate over Telstra's privatisation delayed any meaningful action on broadband for several years and this issue must be addressed in the next six to 12 months if we are to maintain our global competitiveness." "Mobile phones are better than fixed lines for those living in remote communities in the Northern Territory because of unreliable service and the social pressure to make fixed lines available to other members of the community. Mobile phones make more sense because they are more personal and access can be pre-paid," he said "Since home internet access is virtually non-existent in indigenous households due to cost and limited number of landlines, mobiles increasingly will offer a viable alternative," Prof Coutts said. ++++

Computer Professional Education Program graduates sing its praise

In just under 18 months, the ACS's Computer Professional Education Program has become an established postgraduate education program, widely recognised for its online learning format.

With its focus on delivering practical, work-related education outcomes, it ensures students are more productive and able to contribute in the workplace at a higher level than those who opt for a traditional textbook-oriented course, according to its organisers.

According to Dr David Lindley, academic principal of the program, the heart of the content is how technology can be used to address real-life situations within organisations, rather than the nuts and bolts of the latest technological advancements.

"Professionals today want to be actively involved in deciding what they are being taught. They want to be able to relate their learning directly to their work environment. All our subjects are about applying theory to the students' own practical environment," he said.

In October, the first students graduated from the program.

John Wendell, territory sales manager with software company VMWare, had two degrees under his belt before studying under the program. He felt his previous education missed the practical component - relating the theory to organisational practice:

"At university I learnt many individual specific things, but it lacked a framework to put all those things together. I wanted a course of study that would combine my learning with my work experience to help me understand the big picture and develop a broader view of how projects and organisations work.

"The Computer Professional Education Program exceeded my expectations. I knew that my efforts were relevant, that the material was absolutely current, and that the course addressed the issues of the day.

"The content is dynamic, changing and constantly evolving. The tutors are constantly assessing what's relevant, what's outdated, what needs improving - and you can see that happening right throughout the 13-week study block," he said.

Students also enjoy the flexibility of online study. Colin Price, group IT and communications operations manager at St Vincent's and Holy Spirit Health, is another recent graduate.

Like many who have not previously studied by distance education, he was originally unsure of the delivery format. However, that quickly changed to praise for the benefits of online learning.

"It's an incredibly valuable way of delivering education. The interaction, the collaboration, the diversity of backgrounds of my fellow students and the constant feedback from tutors were invaluable," he said.

Price found the Professional Practice Report, or reflective diary, a powerful tool to help him assess his own development and reflect on the relevance of the course to his work and career.

"It was an insightful way to document and reflect on my journey throughout the course. The program allows you to customise the course to meet your own needs, so the way we approach our studies, the types of activities we work on and the areas of knowledge we want to extend are all part of the bigger learning picture.

"The Professional Practice Report forces you to reflect every week on what you have learnt, and how it impacts you, your work and your career. It made me rethink where I was and why I should start looking towards my next career move," he said.

Jamie McDonnell, who works in the project management office of a large retailer, also recently graduated. For Jamie, learning how large organisations operate was invaluable.

"I was able to immediately integrate the coursework directly with my work. This, combined with the discussion guidance and feedback from tutors and the collaboration between other students, helped me make sense out of how businesses run," he said.

Dr Lindley believes one of the advantages of the program is its articulation into a number of leading MBA or Master of Technology Management programs. He is confident the program will be awarded graduate certificate status under the Higher Education Program in 2008.

"We have developed a world-class program that provides a motivating, challenging education program for people who want to put their learning to immediate use in the workplace," he said.

Further information at cpeprogram@acs.org.au 1800 671 003 ++++

Professional partner program gains members, accolades

The ACS's Professional Partnership Program has ended its calendar year with a burgeoning membership roll comprising a wide range of local, national and international commercial, government and education organisations.

In his final column as ACS President, Philip Argy paid a particular tribute to PPP, and its manager Laurie Carmichael, among the society's marketing and policy programs (page 2 of this issue) in its development alongside overall membership growth of the ACS.

"Membership growth for 2007 saw a healthy 12 per cent increase over the previous year. The ACS Professional Partnership Program also really gained significant traction and we now have 949 Professional Partner organisations - a great achievement for the ACS and a tribute to Laurie Carmichael's persistence," he writes.

The program includes international services giants like Satyam, whose founder is profiled elsewhere in this issue, and local edu outfits like Petersham TAFE in suburban Sydney.

All have taken advantage of personal development advice and tuition opportunities available under the program, and ACS membership for qualifying staff.

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Learn, develop, lead at the international Young ICT Professionals' conference

ICT university students, graduates and young professionals have a unique opportunity to learn from, and liaise with, key ICT industry leaders at the International Young ICT Professionals' conference being held over three days in Adelaide next year.

Its theme is "Learn, Develop, Lead".

A one-day career exhibition before the conference on May 28 will introduce visitors to some of Australia's talented ICT businesses, companies and training institutions. The exhibition is open to school students, public and conference delegates, and presents an exceptional opportunity to find out about career paths in the ICT industry and meet with potential future employers.

The conference component on May 29 and 30 will be filled with sessions led by speakers from international, national, and local ICT companies. There will also be plenty of opportunities for networking throughout the two days and at the conference dinner on May 29.

Conference Chair Debbie Timmins said the program is shaping up to be challenging, motivating and different: "We know delegates are going to leave the conference with renewed enthusiasm for regaining power and ultimate direction of their career," she said.

According to Timmins, the international focus of the 2008 event adds a new dimension.

"Many people working in ICT have dreams of working abroad. We are confident we'll attract a strong international delegation, which will be beneficial for both Australian and overseas attendees wanting to learn what it is like to work in another country," she said.

The first ACS National Young ICT Professionals Conference was held in 2004, and this annual event has become the highlight of the calendar. Previous delegates have reported it an inspiring and motivational experience, coming away with a swag of professional contacts, practical advice, confidence in their future career direction and new skills.

The conference is being held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Registration starts at $149 for ACS student members, $409 for full ACS members. This includes two days of conference, a cocktail reception, conference dinner, lunches and morning and afternoon tea. For further information visit www.acs.org.au/youngit/2008conference

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Flexibility and work/life balance issues aired

Workplace flexibility and work/life balance were key issues at a lunch hosted by the NSW branch of the ACS Women's Board (ACS-W) and Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications (FITT in Sydney in November. More than 70 attended.

Maree Lowe, a director of IT services company ASI, said that today, more than ever before, managers and organisations need to provide a flexible workplace to retain their workers.

Flexibility means different things to different generations and a variety of work/life balance issues need to be considered.

Senior Optus manager Narelle Clark suggested that work/life balance should be viewed as a whole, based on one's goals in life rather than being pigeon-holed into work or personal goals.

"This view enables us to use our resources more effectively to achieve outcomes. Women need to be more assertive in voicing their needs to ensure employers are equitable in providing flexibility.

"Women enter ICT professions at different levels and for different reasons, but they all look forward to career progression, an enjoyable workplace free of discrimination and harassment, and encouragement to remain in their profession while having other interests and responsibilities. ACS-W is the coordinating group within the ACS to promote those rights and opportunities.

ACS-W supports and mentors local groups associated with ACS branches throughout the country. We work in cooperation with other organisations, such as FITT, that support and celebrate the role of women in ICT. The activities and initiatives we promote vary from state to state because they reflect local needs and collaborations. ++++

Getting the lead out

More than 40 tonnes of e-waste was gathered under a joint ACS and ICT Industry Collaboration Centre (ICTICC) initiative in WA recently. Dubbed eWaste Day, the event harnessed support from Job West, PGM Recycler and Technology Park Bentley to accumulate old ICT gear that would have gone to landfill, and extracting more than 2000kg of lead from the collection in the process.

PCs, mobile phones - and more than 750 CRT monitors which produced most of the lead - were shipped to Victoria for controlled recycling and disposal.

According to ACS WA vice chair Arnold Wong and BEC member Jim Owen, the day provided a free and environmentally safe means for the Western Australian public to dispose of their superseded ICT equipment without it going into the ground.

They report that the average person in Australia - not environmental villains, just ordinary people - will dispose of approx 3300kg of e-waste in their lifetime, and much of it dumped straight into landfill.

"And to manufacture your bright, shiny new PC that every 18 months consumes the same amount of fossil fuels, chemicals and water that it takes to manufacture a mid-sized car (22kg of chemicals, 1500kg of water and 240kg of fossil fuels)

"But don't we recycle e-waste? Not really: in many countries, including Australia, the 'solution' has often been to ship e-waste to developing nations for 'recycling'.

"But unfortunately much of the e-waste is too complicated to recycle , and so it's dumped straight into their landfill to leech out and poison their children for many generations. In these countries, open acid baths and open air burning of plastics to recover metals is commonplace, so is the pollution of land and drinking water.

"In a recent article in The Age, it was reported that Victoria recycles 5.4m tonnes of various waste per year, but of that, • 45 per cent is construction waste, largely concrete, bricks and asphalt • 21 per cent metals • 17 per cent paper and cardboard • 11 per cent organic • 4 per cent glass, rubber and plastic • 2 per cent e-waste. • "So e-waste doesn't really figure in recycling, yet it is growing at four times the rate of domestic waste."

The solution A coordinated plan of attack on the e-waste monster, as opposed the current piecemeal approach is most likely to succeed. Such a plan would probably include the following components.

• Ban the dumping of e-waste at council tips, or charge very large fees; • Ban the export of e-waste from any country unless it is to a country that has approved and environmentally sustainable technologies in place to recycle waste safely; • Design electronic goods to be free of toxic materials, and easily recycled; • Design electronic goods so that they can be easily and cheaply upgraded by changing components; • Include a recycling levy on electronics at point of sale; • Develop cheap, available, safe recycling technology. It is estimated that recycling; • technologies will be available soon that will be only one third the cost of current methods; • Provide financial support to research into recycling; • Enable "return to manufacturer" facilities.

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