Multimedia Victoria - ICT Excellence Wanted In Call For iAwards Nominations

ICT Excellence Wanted In Call For iAwards Nominations


Media release - 19 November 2007

Celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit in Information and Communication Technology, the Australian Information Industry Association launched the iAwards 2008 today, with the Minister for Information and Communication Technology Theo Theophanous calling for nominations.

Mr Theophanous said the iAwards – Australia’s premier information and communication industry awards – involved six months of nominations and judging with the finals to be held in Melbourne on 28 May 2008, highlighting Victoria as an Australian leader in ICT.

“These awards recognise excellence in the ICT industry, an industry in which Victoria excels on both a national and international scale,” Mr Theophanous said.

“For the first time, these revamped awards will include a platform for state-based awards that will lead to the national awards contenders.

“I strongly encourage local companies to showcase their innovations by putting forward nominations for the iAwards as the winners of the iAwards 2008 will get the opportunity showcase on an international stage, at the Asia-Pacific ICT Awards.

“The Brumby Government recognises the importance of the Victorian ICT industry, which currently accounts for a quarter of the national ICT industry’s $23 billion revenue and approximately 34 per cent of the national ICT employment.

“We are committed to providing strong support for its continued growth, and do so through the ICT Industry Plan 2005-2010 range of programs.

“The iAwards are a great initiative, and I look forward to seeing Victorian companies participate in this event.”

Award categories are extensive and include innovations in the areas of communications, financial and industrial applications, healthcare and the highly competitive field of research and development.

Victorian companies have proven to be strong contenders at the iAwards, with last year’s awards seeing Sensear Pty Ltd take home iAwards in healthcare and research and development categories, NICTA Victorian Research Laboratory receiving a merit award in research and development, and Caulfield Grammar School dominating the student category with four of the five finalist positions.

The new two-tier judging system consists of state finalists moving on to compete in the national finals.

For more information about AIIA and iAwards 2008, go to www.aiia.com.au

For more information about Victorian Government’s support of the ICT industry, go to www.mmv.vic.gov.au/ICTIndustry