Deakin and ACS sign MoU agreement, boosting collaboration between bodies

The agreement will see students receive complimentary membership and access to ACS' industry partnerships and networks for faculty members.

Dr Rod Dilnutt, ACS Victoria Branch Chair, said: "ACS and Deakin have a long-standing relationship and we're delighted to formalise our bonds.

Connecting ACS with Deakin's 500 educators and students, the agreement is a great opportunity for both bodies to help address the IT community's need for skilled, capable technology professionals over coming years.

Our annual Digital Pulse report last year estimated Australia will need 1.2million technology professionals by 2027, and nearly 370,000 Victorians will work in the sector. For Victoria, that's over five percent per year growth which will see local industry and government need almost 100,000 IT workers.

ACS' relationship with Deakin is critical to Victoria and Australia meeting the needs for skilled and qualified digital workers. We’re delighted to have signed this agreement."

The agreement includes boosting student employability support through networking events and activities along with the opportunity for faculty to participate in shaping technology policy and inputs into industry development.

Further opportunities within the agreement lie in industry training and education, introductions to industry partners, guest lectures and think tanks. The MOU sets the immediate agenda providing a framework for collaboration.

Deakin Business School Dean Professor Amanda Pyman said Deakin was delighted and proud to be ACS' first university partner, supporting the development of the IT professionals of the future and growing the digital workforce.

"Our agreement with ACS provides the opportunity to grow not just the academic knowledge of our students, but also provide the skills, critical industry engagement, mentoring, and holistic professional development that graduates require to make a positive impact," Professor Pyman said.

Deakin has more than 22 courses accredited by ACS, spanning business analytics, artificial intelligence, information systems, cyber security, game design, software engineering, computer science, information technology, and data science disciplines.

All Deakin students who study an ACS-accredited course will receive ACS-sponsored student membership, with industry networking and employability workshops held on campus. Plus, ACS members will be able to access a fee discount on some Deakin affiliated courses.

"The partnership will also open up better channels to translate research developments into industry for impact, as well as increase industry input into education and research programs, a strategy at the heart of Deakin’s approach to partnership and collaboration," Professor Pyman said.

About ACS

ACS is the voice of Australia's technology sector, representing over 40,000 technology professionals across all industries and across the nation.

Our members work in industry, education, government, and the community delivering the digital services that drive the nation and provide the high-skilled jobs of today and tomorrow.

ACS works to grow the technology sector while making sure IT professionals act ethically, responsibly, and in keeping with the best interests of not only their employers, but the wider community.

Through our network of branches in every state and Territory, our innovation labs, education programs and our history of over fifty years, ACS works to help all Australians be part of the nation’s highest growth sector.

Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.

Photo credit: Simon Peter Fox Photography