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Collaborating for greater professionalism

Dennis Furini, Information Age

12/05/2007 15:28:14

As you've probably seen in the ICT media, I've submitted my resignation to the ACS and plan to retire from full-time work in the middle of this year. After 40+ years in the ICT sector, I believe it's time for me to change my focus and start doing other things with my life.

While I'm stepping down as CEO, I have no plans to cut ties with the ACS, but will look for opportunities to contribute to the work of the Society on a voluntary basis, once appropriate time has passed to allow distance from my current role.

I'm also looking forward to taking advantage of the lower subscription rate for retired members. With all the continuing member benefits, such as receiving Information Age to stay in touch with the industry, my free -email redirection service, free American Express card, Ambassador Card and the many other discounts available, my ACS membership will represent even better value for money.

This will be one of my last columns as ACS Chief Executive, but I'll be leaving the Society in good hands. We have a committed council supported by a great team in the branches and the national office. As you read this, an exhaustive search is under way to attract an outstanding individual to serve as the future CEO, and I'm confident the right candidate will be chosen.

In the meantime, business continues as normal for the ACS with a range of exciting initiatives to enhance the profession, improve benefits and add value for members.

One such project is the ICT Skills Industry Leadership Group (ILG), a collaborative effort between the ACS and the AIIA that brings together 22 leading stakeholders from industry, government and academia to drive the recommendations of the Building Australian ICT Skills Report.

Already, four projects have grown out of the group's initial meetings, focused around: • ICT Workforce and Labour Market Research and Intelligence - to develop useful data and information on the supply and demand of workers for Australia's ICT labour market; • ICT Skills Development in the WorkPlace - to investigate ways of enhancing and encouraging workforce retraining, reskilling and retention initiatives in the ICT labour market; • Teaching of ICT in Schools - to encourage students to undertake ICT courses through better presentation of ICT curriculum in schools; and • ICT Study and Careers Promotion - to develop a higher profile and greater appreciation of ICT as a career.

We'll keep you informed about the latest developments from this important venture through future issues of IA.

Another topic of critical importance to the industry is that of global recognition for ICT professionals.

ACS Professional Standards & Development Manager Bob Hart represented the Society at a recent meeting on this issue in South Africa. Convened by the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), the meeting also attracted representatives from the ICT-related professional associations of Canada (CIPS), South Africa (CSSA) and the UK (BCS).

The meeting established a task force to be led by Charles Hughes, Immediate Past President of the BCS, which will develop recommendations for establishing a global recognition scheme.

In other IFIP news, the ACS has decided to bid to host IFIP's global conference, the IFIP Computer Congress, in Brisbane in 2010. The ACS has submitted a proposal in partnership with the world-class Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, nominating ACS Queensland's Immediate Past Chairman, Mark Lloyd FACS, as chairman of the local organising committee for the 2010 bid.

The committee also includes the knowledge and experience of ACS Fellows • Prof Ashley Goldsworthy, who has had a long and distinguished association with IFIP and chaired the organising committee for IFIP 96 in Canberra; • Chris Avram, the ACS's current IFIP representative and a Past Vice President of the ACS; • Nick Tate, the current Chairman of ACS Queensland, Director of IT Services at the University of Queensland and the Director of Australia's National CERT, AusCERT (The Australian Computer Emergency Response Team); and • Prins Ralston, a former ACS President and IFIP representative who is also a commercially experienced lawyer, board director, CPA and ICT professional.

The Queensland State Government is expected to approve $250,000 in sponsorship if the bid is successful and will assist the ACS in seeking matching sponsorship from the Federal Government.

The final decision on the successful bid will be announced by the IFIP General Assembly in August 2007 after presentations by bid contenders. It is understood that China and Korea have also expressed interest in hosting the Congress in 2010, which is the federation's 50th anniversary.

As always, I am keen to hear from our members as to how you think we are going in representing your interests and in what other areas you think we need to focus our attention.

And remember, the best way to influence any organisation is from within, so please consider how you might be able to contribute to the work of your professional association.