ACS Gains Federal Government and Industry Support for SEARCC’98
Monday 26 January 1998 - The Federal Government and the AIIA have thrown their weight behind this year’s South East Asian Region Computer Confederation Conference (SEARCC’98), to be staged in Darwin in July by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Commitments have already been received from the Minister for Communications and the Information Economy, Senator Richard Alston, and several other key Federal Government Ministers to give keynote presentations at the three day event.
Additionally, Senator Alston will also chair a regional E-Commerce Session, proposed late last year by the ACS, which will be an important follow-up to the Australian Government’s domestic summit planned for April this year.
In a further development, the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) has agreed to co-host SEARCC’98.
ACS President Prins Ralston said the uniting of industry, government and the professional body will not only ensure the success of SEARCC’98, but will help to establish Australia as a significant force in the international IT arena.
"The level of cooperation that is occurring between the government, AIIA and the ACS gives a clear indication that Australia’s IT industry is maturing and committed to working together to achieve common goals in support of our nation’s economic future," Mr Ralston said.
"The Australian Government is to be commended for its willingness to participate in activities like SEARCC’98 that will benefit Australia by raising our profile and establishing our credentials as a major player not only in this region but worldwide.
"Given the announcements this month by both the US and Europe about their plans for e-commerce within Asia, Australia cannot afford to be complacent about this key business enabler. By chairing the E-Commerce session, Senator Alston will help ensure that Australia’s role in e-commerce initiatives is assured," he said.
Mr Ralston also commended the AIIA for its support and recognition of the potential SEARCC’98 represents in terms of building and cementing relationships between Australia and other nations throughout the region.
AIIA President Alan Baxter has indicated the AIIA will do everything in its power to ensure that Australia’s information industry puts its best foot forward at this event and shows the rest of the region what we have to offer.
"We are very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with both the Government and the ACS on this event, and about the possibilities this alliance will create," Mr Baxter said.
In addition to the Federal support, the ACS has already received extensive assistance from the Northern Territory Government for SEARCC’98, which will be held in Darwin from 8-10 July this year. SEARCC’98 comprises a three-day conference, industry exhibition, business-matching sessions, secondary and tertiary level computer programming competitions in addition to the E-Commerce session.
The conference will focus on the theme of "IT Reaching Out", showcasing IT developments in the main subject areas of The On-Line Economy and Trading in Asia, and Virtual Education and Training. Keynote speakers for the event include the Chairman of Fujitsu Corporation worldwide, Mr Yamamoto, the CEO of DMR Group worldwide, Mr Michael Poehner, and the CEO of Telstra, Mr Frank Blount.
This media release is located on the Web at http://www.acs.org.au/news/searcjan.htm
ENDS
Media Enquiries:
Prins Ralston, ACS President, Tel: (0411) 755 069, Email: P_Ralston@ntu.edu.au
Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9980 8060 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au
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