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Media Release

September 9, 2005

UniSA builds stronger ties with ICT industry

Movers and shakers in SA’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry are backing a collaborative venture established by UniSA’s School of Computer and Information Science (CIS).

representatives at the launch of the Industry Affiliates Program

The Industry Affiliate Program (IAP), launched last month with more than 200 industry guests at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, is building and broadening relationships between the University and the ICT industry to promote new ideas, share knowledge and build a strong IT future for the state.

Among the proposed initiatives is an “IT House” for students. The house will give students valuable exposure to a real-world IT environment. It will be a commercial shopfront where students can learn from ICT professionals and gain valuable experience about business operations while developing networking, team work and other skills.

“IT House” will also give industry partners a chance to benefit from a “try before you employ” scheme where they can see students at work and assess their potential for full time work in the industry.

Chairman ICT Council for South Australia David Raffen says the IAP will allow industry, government and the University to work closely together and allow its potential to be realised with real benefits to all involved.

“As the peak body for the ICT industry, the ICT Council is well placed to help establish key links with industry and the University,” he said.

“The ICT Council itself has real-world projects which, in their development, would not only give students experience in planning, developing and implementing projects, but also benefit the greater ICT industry.

representatives at the launch of the Industry Affiliates Program

“UniSA has enormous untapped potential in its research and development areas which we can now explore for everyone’s gain.”

Modelled on a similar program developed by Queensland University of Technology, the IAP is open to any organisation which uses or has an interest in ICT. This includes community service organisations, large corporations, small start-up companies, SMEs, government agencies and statutory authorities.

While membership is free, three levels (gold, silver and bronze) have been defined to reflect the valuable contributions from individuals and organisations from the ICT profession to UniSA’s CIS school. Progression through the membership levels, and access to benefits, depends on a member’s degree of engagement with the program.

Head of School CIS Professor Andy Koronios, who was instrumental in establishing the program, said he is extremely pleased with the response from industry.

“There has been a constant stream of positive feedback on the program and lots of requests for more information on how individual organisations may participate,” Prof Koronios said.

representatives at the launch of the Industry Affiliates Program

“There are already several examples of collaboration with more than half a dozen organisations since the launch last month.”

A website has been developed to promote the IAP and act as a regular information source for participants.

For further details, please visit http://www.cis.unisa.edu.au/iap or contact the IAP Manager Dr Chris Nettle on (08) 8302 9042 to register your interest.

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