The Week in Brief - 24 January 2012

Last week included activities in support of collaboration, our forthcoming membership survey and membership activities.

Vivek Kundra – thank you to all those members who responded to the urgent request for views about how AIIA can best support cloud computing uptake in Australia. Your response was overwhelming and based on your feedback we are delighted to confirm AIIA CLOUD STRATEGY 2012 – Australia’s Leading Cloud Computing Summit will go ahead on 15 February in Canberra.

This will be a public opportunity for industry and business stakeholders, including government, to hear Vivek and a range of other speakers discuss the issues relating to cloud uptake in Australia including cyber security and safety, privacy, and jurisdictional issues; and to compare domestic experiences and perspectives.

Senator Conroy and the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), Ovum and KPMG will participate. For the most up-to-date details and bookings details see the listing on our AIIA event calendar

Australian Consumer Law Seminar - it is now over a year since most of the ACL started with the latest changes (including warranty against defect requirements commencing on 1 January 2012). Baker & McKenzie, Holding Redlich lawyers and the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) are holding a seminar on this subject in Melbourne, Thursday 9 February 2012. For further details see the listing on our AIIA event calendar

Data Cities Research Alliance – during the week I met with Peter Hitchiner to discuss how AIIA might influence government on Data Cities, the combination of Digital or Data or Smart or Networked or Systems Cities. We resolved this subject should be included in the forthcoming membership survey to determine the level of interest in this subject and prospectively to establish a Special Interest Group.

Digital Sydney – during the week I meet with Hael Kobayashi Associate Director Creative Industries Innovation Centre - University of Technology, Sydney and driving force within Digital Sydney

Digital Sydney is funded by Trade & Investment NSW and operates within UTS. It is predicated on connecting creativity with technology and we discussed opportunities for forging ties with AIIA including for example joint events during the year to bring our members and the creative industries closer together to participate, collaborate, innovate and activate!

I will introduce Hael to the NSW Branch Committee once they are confirmed.

Employment Directory - to assist members to grow their businesses we have commenced posting positions vacant on the AIIA website. For positions see the "AIIA services” menu under "Employment Directory” or use the direct link. Full, Affiliate and Associate members can now post jobs by clicking "Submit an Opening” at the top of the screen. For any questions contact our Online Services Manager Paul Horowitz.

On a related subject, COMPUTER DAILY NEWS, Thursday, January 19, 2012 reported the Australian IT jobs market healthy, despite global woes: survey with just under half (48.1 percent) of Down Under IT hiring managers intending to increase permanent headcount over the coming three months.

Green PC - a not for profit social enterprise run by Infoxchange Australia refurbishes end of life computers and laptops and distributes them to disadvantaged families and communities across Australia and in Timor Leste. Green PC is seeking donations of computers and laptops from companies that no longer require them.

Green PC is an authorized Microsoft Refurbisher which means all the computers refurbished are provided with legal operating systems and software.

Green PC can provide a tax deductible invoice for the value of the equipment donated.

If you have end of life equipment that could be used to provide an opportunity for low income individuals and families to gain access to a quality refurbished computer please contact: Katrina on 94187400 or email info@greenpc.com.au For more information see www.greenpc.com.au

Innovation Survey - Innovation across all sectors of the Australian business landscape is crucial for our nation’s future prosperity. Also important is an understanding of how well businesses are performing when it comes to being innovative or utilising R&D protocols to create differentiation and competitive advantage.

A targeted Innovation and R&D survey has been developed to determine the extent and success of Australian innovation and AIIA members are invited to participate. The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Once the survey is closed we can provide you with a statistical summary of the data. Click here to access the survey.

Membership survey – we are currently developing a survey for members to assess perceptions of AIIA; requirements and expectations to recruit and retain members; provide input to planning including resource allocation, budget and new strategic plan; and educate members on member entitlements and engagement options. Further details will be provided shortly, in the meantime if there is some aspect of membership you would like surveyed please contact Suzanne Campbell.

National Board Meeting – South Australia Branch Chair Michael Luchich and his committee have planning well progressed to the National Board Meeting in Adelaide on 21 and 22 February including:

• A briefing on "ICT in Resources & Mining in South Australia” hosted the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Kevin Scarce, with attendees including Chair of Economic Development Board, numerous key SA Government CEO’s, VP BHP Billiton for Uranium, Chair of Olympic Dam task force, key Resources & Mining Application organisations; and
• SA AIIA Annual State dinner with the Key note speakers;Premier of South Australia - Hon Jay Weatherill;Raymond Spencer - Chair of Economic Development Board;Genevieve Bell - Director of Intel Corporation's Interaction and Experience Research, she was the 15th Thinker in Residence in South Australia.

Booking for the dinner can be made via our website here.

NBN-Enabled Education and Skills Services Program - a sample application form has been made available on the Department Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website to assist applicants with the initial preparation of their application for NBN-EESS Program funding the sample can be found at http://www.deewr.gov.au/department/pages/nbneducationandskills.aspx

If you haven’t already registered as a user online, you will be required to do so in order to access and submit the application form for the NBN-EESS Program. You may also have to register your organisation through the education programs entry point, if it has not already been registered with the Department. Registering a new organisation may take 2 to 3 working days. Registration and applications are accessible via the above website. If you are having difficulties registering or completing your application online please contact 1300 363 079.

The call for proposals will close on Friday 3 February 2012 at 5:00 pm (AEST).