Australian Computer Society - NSW Branch

Testing trends and developments for the enterprise
Monday 28 July 2008
Organisations and the community at large are becoming increasingly dependant on IT systems and, as a consequence, testing and quality assurance activities are becoming more important to help ensure that business objectives are being achieved. IT failures scattered across today’s newspapers highlight the need for organisations to place more emphasis on testing and quality assurance in order to reduce the risks of system deployment and remain competitive. This presentation gives an overview of:

• How testing has been changing to meet the demands of today
• The critical challenges faced by testing professionals
• Testing techniques used by test managers in Australia’s leading organisations
• Frequently found testing improvement opportunities.

Please register online at the ACS website.

Contact officer: Barry Wong or Jessica Ximeno, (02) 9261 4411

Forensic IT & Electronic Discovery
Tuesday 29 July
Nigel Carson, Executive Manager – Forensic IT, for Ferrier Hodgson Forensics will deliver a presentation on forensic IT and electronic delivery by:

• discussing topical issues within forensic IT, and the convergence of e-discovery matters with forensic IT
• exploring some real life examples of how the different technologies are being applied
• looking at future developments in these fields.

Please register online at ACS website
Contact officers: Barry Wong or Jessica Ximeno, (02) 9261 4411

Business Intelligence Competency Centre
Wednesday 30 July
A Business Intelligence Competency Centre (BICC) is a permanent formal organisational structure, which includes representatives from the business and IT. A BICC promotes the effective use of business intelligence to support an organisation’s business strategy. It provides leadership, directions and services to the organisation.
This presentation focus on getting the full potential out of business intelligence by focusing on the people, cultural and organisational aspects to drive business value. The presentation will cover:

• what is a BICC?
• why do you need a BICC and who is involved?
• how do you implement a BICC?
• what services and functions does a BICC provide?
• roles and responsibilities
• organisational structure and reporting options
• busines intelligence and data governance, training, internal communication and marketing
• what should you avoid when implementing a BICC?
• how do you link your BICC to the business intelligence and business strategies?

Please register online at ACS website
Contact officers: Barry Wong or Jessica Ximeno, (02) 9261 4411

Centre for Learning Innovation

51 Wentworth Road, Strathfield

During National ICT Careers Week teachers and students from TAFE NSW institutes will hold information sessions at public high schools in metropolitan and regional areas. At each session, a teacher of an ICT course and one of their students will talk to school students about careers in ICT and the tertiary opportunities available through TAFE NSW to pursue those careers. Students will have the chance to talk to someone currently studying for a career in ICT to find out what motivated them to choose this career path. The sessions will help to showcase the range and variety of careers available in ICT.

Contact officer: Jennifer Speirs, (02) 9715 8152

Charles Sturt University

Launch of the Bachelor of Industry Computing degree
3-5pm Tuesday 29 July 2008
Theatrette, NSW Parliament House,  Macquarie Street,  Sydney

Charles Sturt University is launching of an innovative new ICT degree, the Bachelor of Industry Computing, which incorporates:

• Work integrated learning:  the degree is structured so that students will start full-time employment in the IT industry after completing the first half of the degree.
• ICT industry certification: achievement of some the industry's most in-demand certifications are included as an integral part of the degree
• Leading-edge virtual education: the degree will be delivered via a state-of-the-art distance education model that incorporates virtual lectures, tutorials and labs.
  

Speakers

• John Venator, president and chief executive officer of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), which has more than 22,000 member organisations in over 100 countries. John has come out from the USA for the launch of the degree and will outline why CompTIA is such a strong supporter of the degree.
• John Ridge, executive  director of the ACS Foundation, was awarded the Order of Australia and  is a past president of the ACS. Since its establishment in 2001 the ACS Foundation has raised over $14  million in cash and in-kind donations towards its programs and has awarded over  850 ICT scholarships to students.  John will talk about how employers could support the degree with scholarships.
• Martin Hale, adjunct senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University and chief executive officer of IT Masters, will outline the industry drivers that led to the development of the degree and outline the structure of the degree. 
  

Register at www.itmasters.com.au
Contact officer: Martin Hale, (03) 9515 3870   

Command Recruitment Group

Specific activities to be advised.
Contact officer: Thomas Chan, (02) 8836 6436

Communications Alliance

Specific activities to be advised.
Contact officer: Anne Hurley, (02) 9959 9114

Diversiti

Diversiti ICT Hiring Influence Report 2008
A national survey of qualifications and accreditations that influence employer hiring decisions in the ICT industry
7.15 am for 7.30am on 22 July, 23 July, 25 July, 29 July, for IT and HR managers and others
Level 12, 2 Park St, Sydney
As recruiters, we are often asked by candidates what ICT education is most highly valued by employers?, what factors really influence hiring decisions?, what are the best learning avenues for this profession? and what areas to specialise in, given the sheer speed at which technology and applications change in today’s business economy? In February and March this year, Diversiti surveyed clients and the industry on what factors influence employer hiring decisions for various ICT roles, from their core competency to interview skills. What makes one candidate stand out from the rest – is it their qualifications, accreditations, non-technical skills or experience? What factors outside of core competency influence a hiring decision – references, testing, resume or interview skills? Employer sentiment for the market outlook was explored, as well as likely hiring challenges (offshoring, skills shortages, flexible workforce, permanent vs contract, RPO etc). The Diversiti ICT Hiring Influence Report is a comprehensive report on the results of this survey, and the launch events will present the key findings to clients, industry representatives and media. Diversiti conducted the same industry study in 2006 and results will be compared from 2008 to 2006.
Contact officer: Joanna McNamara, (02) 9269 8720

Females in Information Technology & Telecommunications [FITT]

Guest speakers

FITT are happy to provide guest speakers or volunteers to others events or workshops, particularly those that encourage female students to consider IT careers.

Contact officers: Jenny Donovan, (02) 9514 1263, or Mary Kolotas , (02) 8249 5415

Hudson

Graduate Program Seminar
3-5pm Monday 28 July, UTS, Sydney, and Wednesday 30 July, Monash University, Melbourne
Graduate programs form a vital element of the candidate attraction, selection and engagement strategies of the world's most progressive ICT organisations, and this seminar will help you understand the value and benefits of those programs. Hudson, in collaboration with UTS, Monash University, Microsoft and Accenture, will mix information with interaction (Q&A), with future tertiary students mixing with employers and graduates now enjoying successful careers in the ICT industry.
Download invitation brochure (900K PDF)
Contact officer: Brett Maguire, (02) 8233 2297

ING Direct Australia

IT careers with ING Direct

10am-midday Friday 1 August
UTS Room 10.2.240, Ground floor, Building 10, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo
ING Direct will set up an information desk at UTS with recruitment and IT staff providing information and advice about roles and opportunities within their company.
Contact officer: Kim Nicholson, (02) 9028 4820

Macquarie University Computing Department , North Ryde Campus

Computing workshops for high school students

In these workshops, students can 'roll up their sleeves' and gain hands-on experience in computing. Students can choose creative workshops where they make their own animation or game. Other workshops teach students about programming or computer networking.

• Maximum students per session: 30
• Length of session: 1-2 hours per workshop
• Style: practical workshops
• Dates available: Monday 28 July, Wednesday 30 July, Friday 1 August. If these dates are not suitable, please contact us to see if another day can be arranged.
• Costs: Nil
• Suitable age group: Years 7-12

Contact officer: Dr Debbie Richards, (02) 9850 9567

Experience the thrill of virtual reality

Enter our immersive cave and fly across the landscape of Mars. Come on a rollercoaster designed to test motion sickness. Experience and find out more about our latest research projects.

• Maximum students per session: 10
• Length of session: 30 mins
• Style: demonstration and practical activities
• Registrations: at least 2 weeks notice required
• Cost: $5 per student
• Comments: We recommend you book this activity in connection with another one of our activities. This will allow more than 10 students to visit the facility and also increase the range of activities and time spent on campus.
• Suitable age group: Years 7-12. However, anyone interested is welcome.

Contact officer: Debbie Richards, (02) 9850 9567

NSW Department of State and Regional Development

Western Sydney ICT Careers Breakfast
7:30-9am 31 July
The Western Sydney IT Skills Taskforce is hosting a breakfast briefing for those key people - including careers advisors, teachers and parents - who influence the decisions students make when choosing a future career. As part of National ICT Career Week, we are keen to demonstrate how a career in ICT can open up a whole world of exciting opportunities using several case studies.
Contact officer: Wayne Sonter, (02) 8843 1108

South-Western Sydney Institute of TAFE

ICT Careers and Courses on Show at Lidcombe TAFE
4:30-6:30pm Thursday 31 July

Library, Building A, East Street, Lidcombe

• Explore careers in ICT
• Find out what ICT courses SWSI colleges offer
• Hear what employers want
• Discover the online market place
• Speak with teachers and students from Campbelltown, Granville, Liverpool, Lidcombe, Macquarie Fields, Padstow, Miller and Wetherill Park.

This event is an opportunity for:

• students and parents in Years 10-12 to explore together career opportunities in this exciting and ever-changing industry
• mature-aged students to investigate a career in ICT
• existing workers to explore an 'ICT sea change'
• teachers and careers advisers to gain information on the career opportunities and courses being provided to support the ICT sector.

Contact officer: Cathy Jackson, (02) 9643 4743

Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour Education Campus

Contact officer: Bruce Armstrong, (02) 6659 3174
Women in Technology Program contact officer: Raina Mason, (02) 6659 3190

TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute

Showcase and Forum
30 July, Studios A & B, North Sydney College, 213 Pacific Highway, St Leonards
Showcase 4:30-6pm, forum 6:30-8pm 
A showcase of courses and career opportunities for Years 10, 11 and 12 students, their parents and teachers. The event will provide information on careers and study pathways in the ICT industry and will culminate in a forum where students, parents and teachers will be encouraged to ask questions of employers, industry experts, ICT teachers and students on the forum panel. Forum participants include invited guests and employers from the ICT industry including Cisco, AIIA and ACS.
The showcase will bring together examples of student work, materials and course information from ICT, media, film and TV from our Meadowbank, North Sydney, Hornsby and Northern Beaches colleges. It will enable visitors to see, experience, and ask questions about opportunities in the expanding world of ICT.
Contact officer: Melissa Power , (02) 9942 0077

Northern Sydney Institute Digi-Girls Robotics
29 and 30 July, Crows Nest College, 149 West St
Digi-Girls is a technical skills acceleration program for girls in Years 10–12. The majority of jobs in today’s workforce require a basic understanding of computers and industry technology. To increase awareness of the types of technology used in the workplace, the Digi-Girls program demonstrates the relevance and use of the equipment through hands-on training.

• Day 1
  • Welcome to Digi-Girls
  • Vocational applications of robotics
  • Constructing and wiring robotic dogs.
• Day 2
  • Introduction to programming
  • Developing sequences of movements and responses in robotic dogs
  • Rehearsal and presentation of work in end session

This event is fully sponsored by Northern Sydney Institute and the North-West Business Enterprise Network. The Digi-Girls program is sponsored by the Australian Computer Society.

Contact officer: Robyn Woolley, (02) 9448 4429 

TAFE NSW Western Institute, Parkes College

Specific activities to be advised.
Contact officer: Jenny Kingham, (02) 6862 8131

Taylor Coulter

Taylor Coulter are working on some great initiatives for National ICT Careers Week:

• IT’s Not Just For Geeks, a fun online interactive quiz designed to show young people that they are probably more technical than they think they are, so maybe they should consider an ICT career
• What ICT Career Suits Me Best?, a flyer which illustrates for non-technically-minded young people that their natural talents are also required in this industry, given the enormous variety of careers on offer.

Contact officer: Julie Spencer, (02) 9089 8750

ThoughtWorks

National launch of GirlsInIT.com.au

Monday 28 July

ThoughtWorks is launching www.GirlsInIT.com.au to coincide with National ICT Careers week. This website is for  careers advisors and parents to find out more about what a career in technology could be like for 12-16-year-old girls. ThoughtWorks will host information evenings in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney for girls to meet some of the amazing women who work in IT and hear their stories first-hand.

Contact officer: Diane Cotterill, (02) 9224 1700

Unisys IT Traineeship Program

Unisys has launched an Australia-wide IT Traineeship Program. The program offers the opportunity to continue learning while working for an IT multinational, earning a competitive salary. Within this program, Unisys has an arrangement with various state-based traineeship agencies, technical institutions and registered training organisations to provide IT trainees with a uniquely professional opportunity to launch their IT careers. For more information about the traineeships and to apply online, visit www.app3.unisys.com/ittraineeship
Contact officer: Claire Hosegood, 0411 253 663

University of Newcastle

School of Design, Communication and IT

Planning (TBC) ICT Careers Week activities for HSC students in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast.
Contact officer: Dr Brian Regan, (02) 4985 4544 or Ric Herbert, (02) 4349 4492

School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Challenges in Bioinformatics, Robotics and Network Topologies
The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science has achieved remarkable success in the fields of bioinformatics, robotics and network topologies. This session will showcase successes as well as current work to Year 9–12 students and others interested in e-commerce, programming, systems engineering, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, telecommunications or databases.
Contact officer: Angela Henderson, (02) 4921 7840

University of NSW
School of Computer Science and Engineering

Careers Evening, 31 July - media welcome
As part of National ICT Careers Week, UNSW, UTS and the University of Sydney are holding a combined event to promote the ICT industry and to encourage more students to study IT and computing at school and university. The event will be held at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney. Register online at www.it.usyd.edu.au/ictweek by 25 July.

Lego Programming Workshops - media welcome

UNSW Computing has developed specialised robotic workshops for school students from Years 4-12. They focus on the use of the new Lego NXT technology combined with the popular RoboCup Junior competition for schools. This results in some serious fun for students. As well as the thrill of building a robot, students will be exposed to several programming languages with a hands-on approach.

Programming Club (Ongoing) - media welcome

The kick-off to the new Programming Club, a weekly event for students who love to code!
Contact officer: Brad Hall, (02) 9385 6625

School of Information Systems, Technology and Management

Specific activities to be advised.
Contact officer: Professor Graham Low, (02) 9385 4638

University of Sydney School of IT

NCSS Programming Challenge
5 weeks commencing 28 July 2008
Online, all Australian secondary students welcome
The NCSS Challenge is an online programming competition designed to educate participants about computer science and its significant impact on how scientists work. The challenge involves participants solving interesting but simplified computational tasks typically performed by scientists. The challenge caters for both beginners and advanced students, and will be particularly valuable for science, maths and computing studies students. No programming experience required.
Contact officer: Wei-ying Ho, (02) 9351 4917, or Josephine Spongberg, (02) 9351 3424

University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) IT

ICT Industry Panel
4–5:30pm, 31 July 2008
As part of National ICT Careers Week, UTS, University of Sydney and University of NSW are holding a combined event to promote the ICT industry and encourage more students to study IT and computing at school and university. We will have a panel of industry speakers to explain and highlight the opportunities available to young people in this field. What is the ICT industry and what sorts of jobs are available? To answer these and any other questions you might have please come along to our industry panel and find out from the people that really know. Careers advisers, IT teachers and high school students and their parents are all welcome to attend. Each university will also provide information on courses in ICT and answer questions. Refreshments will be provided.
Contact officer: Jenny Donovan, (02) 9514 1263

University of Wollongong Faculty of Informatics

Information evening
6:30-8:30pm Wednesday 30 July
We are holding an information evening showcasing the local ICT industry. Industry representatives will provide answers to questions that parents, prospective students and current students might have with regards to ICT and the many opportunities within the industry (panel Q&A session). There will also be several information stands with representatives from local ICT companies who will be happy to answer any enquiries.
Contact officer: Lauren Hyslop (02) 4221 3606

Western Sydney ICT Skills Taskforce

Trying to provide your students with the right career start?
7:30-9am 31 July 2008
Trying to provide your students with the right career start? As part of National ICT Careers Week, the Western Sydney ICT Skills Taskforce is holding a breakfast for careers advisors and others who influence the decisions students make when choosing a future career. We are keen to demonstrate how a career in ICT can open up a whole world of exciting opportunities. Please register early on the ACS website as numbers are limited. Complimentary breakfast.
Contact officer: Wayne Sonter, (02) 8843 1108