MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA RELEASE - Education meets innovation in new Core Body of Knowledge

The ACS – The peak body for Australia’s ICT profession – has today released an updated Core Body of Knowledge (CBoK) for ICT degrees after an extensive period of consultation throughout 2015 with industry, government and academia.

Drivers of the CBoK review included rapidly changing technology jobs and the dominance of Small to Medium Enterprises in Australia that result in a great diversity of functions performed by traditional ICT occupations.

With innovation and creativity fundamental to future economic prosperity, the updated CBoK provides a world first by including entrepreneurism and innovation amongst graduate attributes.

The updated CBoK is designed to better meet the needs of students in a rapidly evolving digital education space, and will help drive the innovative thinking that will help secure Australia’s economic and educational future.

This has been achieved by establishing a base set of competencies and standards which must be held, and then defining specific sets of skills for each branch of digital and technological education.

President of the ACS, Anthony Wong, welcomed the updated framework.

“There is no greater constant in ICT than change. Providing a modern and relevant CBoK means that we are responding to change and enabling a new generation of digital leaders.”

“Consistent with the Federal Government’s Innovation Statement, the reviewed CBoK provides a contemporary and evolved approach to education, and assists shoring up Australia’s future talent pipeline.”

The new CBoK will take effect from March 1, 2016

-ENDS-

Further information

Thomas Shanahan, ACS, 0449 902 130

About the ACS

The ACS (Australian Computer Society) is the professional association for Australia's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Over 20,000 ACS members work in business, education, government and the community. The ACS exists to create the environment and provide the opportunities for members and partners to succeed. The ACS strives for ICT professionals to be recognised as drivers of innovation in our society, relevant across all sectors, and to promote the formulation of effective policies on ICT and related matters. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.