The Australian Computer Society has joined other industry bodies in welcoming the Australia 2030 report on innovation from Innovation and Science Australia and called on government and Industry to embrace the recommendations.
ACS president Yohan Ramasundara says the society wants to see he recommendations implemented, particularly those around education and the role of government as a catalyst for innovation.
Highlighting what he said was the alignment between the ACS five-year strategy and the recommendations of the report, Ramasundara said, “In 2017 we launched a five-year strategy based around three pillars — capacity, capability and catalyst — and it is pleasing to see ISA calling for government and industry to embrace these principles. We agree with the notion of government being a catalyst for innovation, with greater facilitation collaboration and agility.
“The proposal to optimise the interaction of industry with schools through the work of the STEM Partnership Forum will be a key element of helping students become job ready for when they graduate from higher education and into the workforce.
{loadposition peter}“The jobs which our children will have in the future have not, in many cases, been invented yet. We need to make sure tomorrow’s workforce is adequately prepared for a future which will be digital in nature and likely subject to market forces which are more fluid than at any time before.”
Ramasundara said that encouraging a cross-jurisdictional approach to innovation was a positive step to aligning the Commonwealth with the states and territories, “which will help foster collaboration between the two. Governments should be working, at every level, towards the same outcome – a better experience for citizens through the adoption of digital technology”.
“While the concept of a National Mission for health is a noble one, and one worth pursuing, we must ensure that further National Missions — like the push to become a leader in medical innovation or service transformation — are not unduly delayed. It is critical that we take the momentum generated by this report and cultivate the skills, knowledge and talent required to maximise the benefits of innovation, science and technology for every Australian to thrive in the future.”
The ACS response followed the response today from the Australian Information Industry Association which commended the breadth of recommendations in support of building Australia’s innovation capability through education and training.
AIIA, the nation’s peak member body for the ICT industry, said the plan strengthened the potential to strengthen Australia's innovation culture.