Written by Aaron Fernandes Thursday, 17 December 2009 12:53
THE Australian Computer Society (ACS) WA branch has this week announced the launch of Australia’s first two ACS Centres of Excellence, promising to open the West Australian ICT community to national and overseas interest.
The two centres form part of the ACS professional development programme which include the ACS Centre of Excellence in Security, a partnership with the Security Research Centre (SecAU) at Edith Cowan University, and the ACS Centre of Excellence in High Performance Computing, a partnership with iVEC, the Hub of Advanced Computing in Western Australia.
On hand for the launch were ACS National President Kumar Parakala, iVEC CEO Professor Andrew Rohl, and ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tony Watson, to outline what role the ACS WA Branch initiative would play in strengthening the profile of the ICT industry in WA.
Mr Parakala said an endorsement of a centre by ACS, as the peak body for ICT in Australia, would provide a high level of recognition, credibility and support for ICT professionals.
Mr Parakala also said that he wants a digital ecosystem in Australia with vision and government support crucial to its success.
“It will be of benefit for building profiles, both in Australia and internationally, and will assist in gaining additional investment in research and operations.
“We have multiple situations where ACS has endorsed bodies such as this and they have received multi-million dollar grants.
“ACS can provide a platform for increasing the centre’s visibility through access to publications, ACS employers and their members, through industry events, access to government and the network of ICT leaders that are active within ACS.”
The SecAU Security Research Centre is a leading digital security and forensics group specialising in areas such as computer and digital forensics, network and wireless security and information warfare.
iVEC provides access to high performance computers, visualisation laboratories and expertise for radioastronomy, high energy physics, medical research, mining and petroleum.
As the newly-elected chairperson of the ACS Security Centre of Excellence, Prof Watson said he was excited at the opportunity of incorporating SecAU into ACS professional and industry networks.
“It is my intention, through the centre, to reach out to industry and other universities to ensure that we have access to the best and brightest to help protect the national ICT infrastructure,” he said.
Dr Parakala said that in addition to strengthening the ICT communities’ contacts with public and professional organisations, ACS is particularly interested in encouraging more young professionals to adopt ICT as a career.
“ACS research shows that there will be a considerable shortfall of ICT professionals in the immediate and long term future, so we really need to raise the profile of the industry. Wider recognition is essential for continuing recruitment to the industry.”
