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First steps towards global ICT profession

By CSSA
Milan, Italy, 12 Sep 2008

The International Professional Practice Partnership (IP3) announced today that the Australian Computer Society (ACS) had become the first professional body to be accredited to award the new International IT Professional (IITP) certification. The accreditation covers the members holding the ACS Computer Professional (CP) status.

IP3 is a programme of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), a non-governmental, non-profit umbrella organisation created under the auspices of UNESCO for national societies working in the field of information processing.

IITP is the first international certification of ICT professionals under the International Professional Practice Partnership (IP3) and is awarded to professionals who have obtained an approved qualification from an accredited body, usually the IFIP Member Society in the region.

A panel of senior IP3 assessors, together with an independent assessor, visited ACS in July. The accreditation process included meetings with senior management of the society, as well as stakeholders and members of ACS professional division. The panel examined the core body of knowledge and competencies and skills underlying the Professional Status; the requirements for renewal of the qualification, including continuing professional development; implementation of the code of ethics; and the capability of the organisation to manage a certification scheme, including quality assurance, validation of information and governance.

The award was made to ACS at the World Computer Congress by Basie von Solms, IFIP President.

On accepting the award on behalf of ACS, Kim Denham, CEO, remarked: "This kind of international certification will help lift the standard and quality of Australia's ICT sector and hopefully bring it closer to establishing the same prestige and type of accreditation to other established professions such as accountancy and law. It represents a great step forward for the ICT Industry."

ACS President Kumar Parakala said he is extremely pleased that the ACS Computer Professional Programme has received international accreditation through IP3. "Accrediting the CP programme demonstrates the forward movement of ICT, particularly in defining its global standards of professionalism, and what it means for professionals competing in an increasingly global market," he added.

Charles Hughes, Chairman of IP3, added his congratulations to ACS on being the first society to be accredited to IITP. "Awarding ACS makes IITP legitimate, and is the culmination of almost two years of work by the IP3 Task Force," he remarked.

IITP is the first and "gold' standard qualification made available through IP3. The partnership is planning to develop further qualifications, including one for IT technologists, as well as IT management. IP3 also hopes to make learning materials available to help aspiring societies provide the necessary skills and knowledge to their members.

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IP3

IP3 is A global programme led by IFIP (The International Federation for Information Processing) to promote professionalism in IT, define international standards and create a global infrastructure that will encourage and support the development of both practitioners and employer organisations and give recognition to those who meet and maintain the required standards for knowledge, experience, competence and integrity. For more information, contact ip3admin@ipthree.org.

IFIP

IFIP a non-governmental, non-profit umbrella organisation for 56 national or regional societies working in the field of information processing. It was established in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO as a result of the first World Computer Congress, held in Paris in 1959. For information about IFIP, contact ifip@ifip.org or visit www.ifip.org.

ACS

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is the recognised association for ICT professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the ICT industry. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the public voice of the ICT profession and the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the ICT industry in Australia, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of ICT. The society was founded in 1966. For more information, contact info@acs.org.au or visit www.acs.org.au.