An e-learning solution that could revolutionise the way children engage with education has taken out the top gong at the nation’s information and communications technology (ICT) awards – the 2008 iAwards.

Etech Group, a Tasmanian-based company which specialises in e-learning solutions for businesses, universities and schools, was awarded the Inspiration iAward for the ‘best of the best’ ICT innovation at the gala dinner in Melbourne on Wednesday May 28. 

The iAwards, presented by the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the Victorian Government, Howorth Communications and ZDNet Australia, was open to all levels of the ICT community, from small start-ups and emerging talent to big business and established entrepreneurs.

“It’s an exciting time for Australian innovation,” says AIIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Birks. “The quality of entries nationwide was outstanding and reflects very well on the health of the ICT industry.”

“In light of the recent national focus on innovation, the iAwards demonstrates the importance of high technology innovation to many of the things we take for granted.  Advances in health and education, law enforcement and financial management are increasingly the result of ICT innovation,” says Mr Birks.

Successful entrepreneur and champion of the local industry Peter Kazacos was last night presented with the prestigious CSIRO Tony Benson Award for Individual Achievement in ICT at the 2008 iAwards gala dinner, held in Melbourne’s Palladium Ballroom at the Crown Casino.

“Peter Kazacos is one of the ICT industry’s most successful entrepreneurs, with a long history of support for the local industry,” said AIIA Chief Executive Officer, Ian Birks. “He is a very fitting choice for this year’s award.”

“With his strong background in business development and commercialisation, Peter will be a worthy ambassador for the ICT industry over the coming year.”

Ron Forrester, General Manager AIIA Government Relations, travelled to Kuala Lumpur for the World Congress in Information Technology 2008 (WCIT 2008) last week; AIIA Board Member Kee Wong also attended.

The week began at a Board meeting of WITSA, where elections were held for both Chairman and the Secretariat.  All candidates made presentations prior to the voting process. The result is that the new Chair (replacing USA’s George Newsome) is Mr Dan Khoo from Malaysia. The Secretariat has also changed from the USA’s ITA (based in Washington) to Malaysia’s PIKOM (based in KL.)

Both Anders Halvorsen and Jim Poisant will be retained as Secretariat staff located in Washington. The next vote which took place was to elect the next location for GPPC 2011 – the candidates cities being Guadalajara in Mexico and Montreal in Canada. Montreal was announced as the winner.

WCIT 08 commenced on the Monday at the KL Convention Centre (KLCC). Over 3,000 delegates from more than 90 countries were registered. The Opening Ceremony featured Malaysian Prime Minister Badawi (who also attended two conference dinners during the week). Plenary sessions were held over the next three days and plenty of business matching took place. Ron also attended a Ministerial breakfast with the Deputy Minister for Science and IT. Presentations were made on areas such as digital divide, environment and future of the Internet. Bill Gates addressed a large session via holographic means – quite a technological event. An ICT exposition with hundreds of booths were spread throughout five exhibition halls.

In the latter part of the week, Ron attended the ASOCIO Board Meeting attended by some 22 countries (including Cambodia who has just been admitted into the ASOCIO family.) Topics for discussion included new membership, skills development, ambassadors program, PR and branding, financial health, multi-lateral trade visits and the relationship with global organisations. Ron led a discussion on public policy (having written two papers on data protection and workforce issues.)

Ron also suggested to the Board that because ASOCIO is an organisation with such disparate membership that countries would only want to be involved in public policy issues which directly affected their country.  As a result it was agreed that each country would sign up to a public policy sub-committee to form policy for that particular issue. A table was drawn up at the meeting and countries signed up accordingly. Three-monthly teleconferences will be held for further discussions.

For more information about WCIT 2008 and its outcomes, contact Ron Forrester on (02) 6281 9408.