The Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA) has reiterated its commitment to pursuing professional recognition for IT practitioners and aims to continue increasing the interest in both professional standards and competence within the South African IT industry.
The major thrust of this initiative will be establishing a qualifications framework, recognition of past work experience, establishing an IT career development path, and promoting continuous professional development.
Professional bodies are the norm in many areas, for instance accountancy, law, medicine and engineering. At this stage, the IT industry is one of few that does not demand professional qualifications from IS staff.
Currently, members of the CSSA undertake accept and uphold the society`s Code of Conduct. Six key fundamentals guide and govern CSSA members and set a standard of professionalism and practice that is to be regarded as an example for the IT industry. Both the Code of Conduct and the Code of Practice have been carefully set out to encourage members to strive for the highest levels of professionalism and service.
The CSSA Codes are based on the following six pointers: that members will behave with integrity at all times; that they will act with complete loyalty towards a client when entrusted with confidential information; that they will act with impartiality when providing independent advice; that they will accept full responsibility for any work undertaken; that they will not seek personal advantage to the detriment of the society; and that they will not engage in discriminatory practices on any basis whatsoever.
Although not an industry watchdog, the CSSA aims to increase the industry`s awareness of these basis principles and highlight the role which it plays in enhancing the professionalism of the IT industry.
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