ACS Foundation Awards Scholarships, Announces Research Funding
Friday 5 April 2002 - The Australian Computer Society Foundation will today award its first tertiary scholarships in QLD, using the opportunity to further its goals of encouraging more women into IT and increasing support for regional universities.
The Foundation will also announce funding of $300,000 for two key research projects to develop and commercialise products for the medical sector.
At a ceremony in Brisbane this evening, the Queensland Minister for Information Technology, Paul Lucas, will present scholarships to two women, both of whom are studying ICT-related degrees at regional QLD universities.
Jasmine Hoffman, a single mother of four children, is in her final year of a Software Engineering degree at the University of Southern Queensland in Hervey Bay, while Kathryn Jones is engaged in Computer Science studies at James Cook University in Townsville.
"These scholarships reflect two key State Government priorities - ensuring regional Queenslanders have the opportunities to develop ICT skills and increasing the number of women in ICT," said Mr Lucas.
"The recipients are wonderful ambassadors for the Smart State and I hope their success encourages other women in regional Queensland to pursue a career in ICT."
The scholarships will be presented at a special ceremony at the Medina Executive in Brisbane, attended by the full ACS National Council, which is holding its bi-annual meetings over the next two days.
ACS National President Richard Hogg said the Queensland scholarships brought to 44 the number of scholarships awarded by the Foundation so far this year, with an additional 10 scholarships still to be distributed.
"The ACS Foundation will award scholarships worth nearly $2 million this year, which is an extraordinary achievement for a body that was established just eight months ago, and one of which we are justifiably proud. We have been overwhelmed by the generous support the ACS Foundation has received from business, industry, government and individuals who want to help make ICT studies more accessible," he said.
"In addition to the scholarships themselves, the ACS awards recipients free student membership of the Society while they are studying, providing access to useful information resources, professional development and valuable networking opportunities."
ACS Foundation Announces First Research Funding
The ACS Foundation will today announce funding of $300,000 for two research projects focusing on commercial opportunities in the medical sector.
The Foundation has invited Dr Carl Munoz-Ferrada, Managing Director of Gammasonics, to head up its Medical Information Technology Research Group, awarding him membership of the Foundation.
Dr Munoz-Ferrada will initially preside over two projects:
ACS Foundation Executive Director Peter Rose said the research funding was being focused on projects with strong potential for commercial success.
"Both projects are already fairly advanced, but needed additional funding to ensure their successful completion within the shortest possible time frame. Not only is there significant potential for strong domestic sales of the final products, but the export opportunities are also substantial, with flow-on benefits for the Australian economy," he said.
The ACS Foundation expects to announce additional scholarships and research grants later in the year and welcomes approaches from businesses and research organisations interested in working with the Foundation to pursue appropriate research projects.
"The Foundation is grateful for the support of the Queensland Minister for IT, Paul Lucas, and his Department, and we look forward to developing additional opportunities for the ICT industry and Government in QLD to work together," he said.
This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/050402.htm
ENDS
About the Australian Computer Society: The ACS is the recognised association for information technology (IT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the IT industry and providing a wide range of services to its 16,000+ members. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the public voice of the IT profession and the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the IT industry, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of IT.See the ACS Home Page for more information. Media Enquiries:
Richard Hogg, ACS National President, Tel: (0408) 549 531, Email: richard_hogg@acslink.net.au
Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9555 1986 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au
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