The Computer Society of SA (CSSA) has changed its name to the Institute of Information Technology Professionals SA (IITPSA).
The 55-year-old society announced its new identity at is annual general meeting (AGM) last night.
According to the body, the move follows an international trend to emphasise the value of professionals in the industry, as well as research among the South African IT community and the South African Qualifications Authority's recent recognition of CSSA as the professional body for the sector.
Speaking during the AGM, Rabelani Dagada, president of the IITPSA, said the institute was moving away from being a society to being a statutory body, something in the mould of other industry bodies like the Health Professional Council of SA.
"The philosophy was that the body is no longer a club serving its members, but a respected professional group serving its community," he said.
The institute aims to actively engage with commerce, industry and government to influence policy formulation on behalf of both its own members and other stakeholders, Dagada pointed out. It also encourages the growth of professionalism, and the responsible and professional use of ICT throughout the South African economy.
"We are a critical profession to the country," said Dagada. "We've had tentative talks with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications regarding ICT profession matters in SA. So far, we have exchanged some research papers with the committee."
The philosophy was that the body is no longer a club serving its members, but a respected professional group serving its community, said Rabelani Dagada, president of the IITPSA.
Dagada revealed the institute has seen growth in its members since last year and is in the process of obtaining international recognition.
Also speaking during the AGM, Adrian Schofield, former CSSA president and a council member at IITPSA, said it is encouraging to see an increase in the number of black members at the institute, which used to be white-dominated.
The institute's new identity was launched with a logo and new supporting media, including a Web site, membership cards, stationery and marketing material.
Tony Parry, executive director/CEO and manager of the transition, confirmed that all events and communications after the AGM will carry the new brand.
"It will take a year to replace all the membership cards, and members will be able to use the CSSA post-nominals until December 2014." Parry also said the process of informing all the stakeholder organisations was under way.
Special recognitions
Dagada also took the opportunity to recognise Schofield for his contribution towards CSSA name change. He also gave special mention to Gail Sturgess, human capital strategist and IT career coach at TalentAlign; and Tony Botes, director at Blue Pencil Consulting, for their contribution towards the establishment of the IITP Foundation.
Barry Dwolatzky, director and CEO of the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE), and Jovan Regasek, CEO of ITWeb, were also respectively honoured for nurturing relations between the JCSE and the CSSA as well as the relationships between ITWeb and the CSSA.
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