WCC2010 National debate on publically-funded ICT R&D in Australia - where is it headed?
World Computer Congress 2010 (WCC2010) hosts national debate on publically funded ICT R&D
Brisbane 9th September 2010: As part of the WCC 2010 being held during the week of 20th September 2010 at the Brisbane Exhibition & Convention Centre, six prominent research leaders will give their vision of the future direction of Australia’s publicly funded ICT R&D institutions. Organised by the Pearcey Foundation, a leading industry ‘think tank’, the debate is promoting national awareness of the significance of ICT to the Australian economy. Pearcey Foundation National Committee member, Len Rust, said ”Most Australians outside the ICT sector are unaware of the world class capability Australia has in computing, communications and the digital economy. This debate will serve to demonstrate the priority our nation is applying to ICT R&D in our national institutions like the Universities, NICTA and CSIRO”. All of the speakers have had extensive experience in industry, government or academic ICT research organisations and will include Dr Simon Kaplan (Dean of IT at QUT) as well as Dr David Skellern (CEO of NICTA) and Dr Alex Zelinsky, (Head of Information Services CSIRO). Additionally they will participate in four short and lively debates on such issues as
• Intellectual Property developed during publicly funded research should be owned by the public
• Direct investment in universities is the best way for government and industry to achieve commercialisation of ICT R&D in Australia.
The debate held under Chatham House Rules, will involve active audience participation and will follow brief dissertations by the six debaters on their personal views on the future of Australia’s publically funded ICT R&D efforts.
Background:
• WCC2010 is an international conference organised by the Australian Computer Society in its role as a member of the International
Federation of Information Processing (IFIP). Australia has hosted IFIP Conferences in 1980. www.wcc2010.org
• Australia Computer Society (ACS) is Australia’s national preeminent learned society for Information Technology professionals. This year the Queensland Branch of the ACS is hosting this major International Conference during the week of 19 September 2010 at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre. http://www.acs.org.au/
• The Pearcey Foundation Inc. was established in 1998 to raise the profile of the Australian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Industry and profession. It was created in the memory of one of the greatest pioneers of the Australian ICT industry, Dr Trevor Pearcey.
CONTACT: Wayne Fitzsimmons 0418382625 Full details on Debate:
2010 National Pearcey Event
