ACS responds to Federal Government Digital Economy Strategy - calls for more focus on Education Pilot Programs & ICT Education
Tuesday, 31 May 2011: The Australian Computer
Society (ACS) today acknowledged the release of the Digital Economy
Strategy as a national blueprint to maximise the National Broadband
Network (NBN) investment and meet the economic, social and
environmental challenges of the 21st century.
ACS President
Anthony Wong discussed the importance of the Digital Economy Strategy
whilst presenting on the implications of cloud computing for Australia
at CeBIT.
“The ICT sector is responsible for significant ongoing
investment and accounts for almost five per cent of Australia’s GDP.
The digital economy is key to improving our economic growth and the
prosperity of all Australians. The ACS welcomes the National Digital
Economy Strategy. An ICT blueprint is vital to ensure investment in
this critical infrastructure meets desired outcomes and that the
broadband pipe is leveraged to deliver e-services and develop a
competitive e-economy,” said President Wong.
Mr Wong welcomed
the Strategy’s eight key goals and called for more attention on
education and skills and the development of more pilot programs.
“The
eight focus areas of the DE Strategy represent the core elements of how
Australia can succeed from the development of the NBN. Participating in
a digital economy is not just about having a website, it is about the
quantity and quality of e-commerce and online transactions. We need
more Australians to get active online. Education and skills are key to
ensuring that people can participate and leverage the digital economy
opportunities.
“We welcomed the investment in skills and
education in the 2011-12 Federal Budget and believe the National
Digital Economy Strategy will help to maximise the return of such
investment with more supportive measures in skills and education. We
would like to see the development of more pilot programs on education
such as the EduONE—Education Our New England project, as the NBN can
aid in the development of skills, through online education.
“Highly
skilled ICT professionals are the foundations of the digital economy.
The ACS believes more focus is required on ICT education to ensure
skills shortages do not continue to hold the country back. As ICT
employment continues to increase, its important students are not left
behind in this important area of education. The two elements which are
vital to ensuring the digital economy is secure and reliable are the
establishment of security frameworks, and the provision of an
appropriate number of skilled ICT professionals who are certified,”
said Mr Wong.
Mr Wong also welcomed the investment of $23.8m for
a Digital Communities initiative to establish 40 regional ICT hubs, and
the $12.4 million for a Digital Enterprises initiative to assist
small-to-medium enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.
“Promoting
the benefits of the NBN to the general community, to business and to
government departments is something we have called for previously and
will now be realised through the establishment of the digital hubs.
“We
are pleased to see to the provision of educational videos At Home with
NBN and In Business with NBN on the NBN website. These will help
Australians grasp the opportunities available to them via the NBN and
encourage greater online engagement and participation,” said Mr Wong.
Mr
Wong welcomed the investment of $5.5 million to provide regional
Australians with e-health services. He also applauded the strategy
outline of how the Government will take a more public role in modelling
NBN applications and benefits to promote community inclusion, improve
government service delivery, and develop smart technology.
Speaking
at CEBIT on the impacts of cloud computing, Mr Wong explained,
“Cloudcomputing is just one example of how access to ubiquitous
broadband will create a huge transformation in the way we live, work
and interact. Australia has traditionally relied on the resources and
agriculture industries to stimulate economic growth. The DE Strategy
and its frameworks are a necessity to ensure that the ICT industry
fulfils its potential to become the backbone of our economy. Australia
has the opportunity to export e-services to the world, - a truly
significant opportunity,” he said.
***ends***
Media information:
Emily Venardos (02) 9492 1033 or mobile: 0413 743 737
Seni Murni (02) 9299 3666 or mobile: 0410 029 706
About the ACS
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the recognised professional
association for those working in Information and Communications
Technology (ICT),seeking to raise the standing of ICT professionals and
represent their views to government, industry and the community. A
member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the
guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT sector,
committed to ensuring the beneficial use of ICT for all Australians. It
provides both members and non-members with opportunities for
professional education, networking and certification, as well as
enabling them to contribute to the development of their profession.
Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.