ACS Foundation Establishes First State Chapter in WA

Monday 9 December 2002 - The Australian Computer Society (ACS) today launched the first Chapter of the ACS Foundation, announcing WA Minister for State Development, Tourism and Small Business, Clive Brown, as Patron of the Foundation's WA Chapter.

Established in August 2001 as an umbrella organisation to facilitate links between industry and universities and to provide funding for ICT scholarships and research, the ACS Foundation has so far announced 54 scholarships and grants worth over $2.25 million.

In launching the WA chapter, the Foundation's Executive Director, Peter Rose, announced an initial 10 undergraduate and research scholarships already ear-marked for universities in Western Australia, with plans to significantly increase this number in coming months.

"I've been delighted with the response we've received here in WA," said Mr Rose.

"There's been terrific cooperation from the ICT industry and enormous empathy for the Foundation's aims and objectives in creating new ICT skills and research opportunities in local universities," he said.

WA Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop, welcomed the establishment of the WA Chapter, recognising the importance of encouraging students to enter ICT studies.

"I am someone who is very keen on both academic achievement and embracing the new economy, of which the ICT industry is a key player, so I am especially delighted to note that the ACS Foundation will be supporting Western Australians to excel in these areas."

The Premier said he was pleased to see that the Foundation focused on people who are currently under-represented in the ICT profession, such as women, regional, indigenous and disadvantaged students, as well as seeking to build bridges to industry.

"It is vital that any scholarship program be responsive to the changing needs of the industry and the ACS Foundation's commitment to maintaining very close links with the local ICT industry is one of the reasons that I believe it will be a big success here in WA," he said.

The WA Chapter will be headed up by a Board comprised primarily of key players in the local ICT industry, including: Jim Ellis of Westinfo Services; Megan Enders of Western Power; Steve Pretzel of pretzelLogic; Tony Rosser of Praetorium; David Thomas of Computer Associates; Garry Trinder of Spherion; Bob Cross of Edith Cowan University and Chair-elect of the ACS WA Branch; and Peter Rose.

Mr Ellis, an ACS Fellow and Honorary Life Member, will serve as Chairman of the Board of the ACS Foundation WA Chapter. He sees the Foundation playing a critical role in increasing the level of skilled students and researchers available to the local industry.

"Education is key to growing our ICT sector," he said. "It was education that equipped Ireland to play a leading role on the global ICT stage and I believe this approach can achieve the same kind of result, albeit on a smaller scale, for Western Australia."

Mr Ellis said he was delighted to be able to make a significant contribution to the ICT industry through the Foundation and anticipate positive impacts on both the quality and number of skilled professionals moving through into industry.

"WA already has a number of world-class software and services companies and I believe the Foundation's work in providing local scholarships and research grants will further enhance our abilities in both areas," he said.

ACS Chief Executive Dennis Furini said the Foundation's new Chapter would work with all WA universities to replicate the success the ACS Foundation had already enjoyed in the eastern states.

"When we first launched the Foundation in August 2001, we set a tentative goal of 10 scholarships for 2002, but ended up awarding 54 scholarships and grants this year. We'll certainly be seeking to emulate that level of success with the WA Chapter, to achieve the best possible outcome we can for the state's ICT sector," he said.

This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/091202.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:

Peter Rose, ACS Foundation Executive Director, Tel: (0405) 198 404, Email: Peter.Rose@acsfoundation.com.au

Dennis Furini, ACS Chief Executive, Tel: (0418) 963 980, Email: dennis.furini@acs.org.au

Caroline New, PR Consultant, Tel: (02) 9555 1986 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au