Page 1481 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 2012
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We should remember that ICT and software development are fields that really bring together a broad depth of talent. These are people with skills in graphic design, engineering, mathematical sciences and, of course, software and computer sciences. I am happy to note that many of them have gone through our local schools and universities. In the case of AIE founders, John De Margheriti and Steve Wang, they live locally. They went through Hawker college in the 1980s to become leading figures in the Australian interactive gaming and entertainment industry today.
I am happy that they have moved to fund ongoing awards for students at Hawker college and will provide scholarships at the AIE for selected ACT college students, allowing them to pursue a career in interactive entertainment. This is the type of collaboration that this government welcomes. I would also like to note that the CIT has a longstanding partnership with the AIE delivering a range of specialised courses under profile funding and collaboration. These courses build upon the CIT’s strong history of skills provision in areas like animation, information technology and software development as well as professional learning in computing.
These collaborative courses include the advanced diploma of screen and media and a certificate IV in screen and media, both having a focus on 3D animation. There is also the bachelor of games and virtual worlds degree, a commercial partnership between CIT and AIE that provides a full-fee paying qualification supported by fee help. There are currently 89 students enrolled in this degree. This is a successful partnership that the government, CIT and, to my understanding, AIE are very keen to maintain. My advice is that this partnership is a leading national example of a successful public-private business relationship in tertiary education.
The government is always open to future discussions with AIE around their position. A function of the newly established Learning Capital Council which this government has set up, will be to support training organisations in Canberra like AIE by drawing on the existing expertise of institutions and individuals within the sector. Obviously, any growth in the area of software development, whether it be from a training and education perspective or from an innovation perspective, is something that is welcome in Canberra.
Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move the amendments standing in my name together:
Leave granted.
DR BOURKE: I move:
(1) Insert new subparagraphs (1)(f) and (g):
“(f) that the Government is developing a business development strategy that covers all business sectors in the ACT; and
(g) the business development strategy will include a strategy for the ACT to transition to a clean and sustainable economy;”.
(2) Omit subparagraph (2)(b).
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