An initiative of the Australian Computer Society, the ACS Foundation was established to encourage both private and public sponsorship of IT higher education and research.

Notable successes for ACS Foundation scholars from WA include two Microsoft internships in the USA, a Google internship and finalists at the prestigious Western Australian Information Technology and Telecommunications Awards. Organisations providing scholarships in WA include IBM, Microsoft, Western Power, CSG, Ingres, Rusty, CSC, Conducive and ZettaServe.

The ACS Foundation concentrates on attracting and retaining talented students to choose the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) industry as their career of preference, and assisting them transition from their studies to their career. Through the scholarship programme, city and regional students are assisted with funding and work experience opportunities.

The WA Chapter of the ACS Foundation is a team of committed and dedicated volunteers led by Jim Ellis OAM. In 2006, due to the success of The Foundation, the WA Government and the WA Universities provided funding for a part-time Scholarship Administrator to assist with further growing the programme in WA.

Patron of the ACS Foundation in Western Australia, Treasurer; Minister for Commerce; Science and Innovation; Housing and Works; the Hon Troy Buswell B.Ec MLA said “I congratulate the WA Chapter on reaching this significant milestone. I am delighted to be associated with The Foundation in WA as their patron.”

Minister Buswell has a strong understanding of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry. With a background in sales in the industry – at IBM – he has already shown his commitment to developing the ICT industry in WA with his active support for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project – a radio telescope in development, potentially to be located and operated in Western Australia.

“It is very gratifying to see the immense support the WA Government, the WA Universities, and industry have given the ACS Foundation,” commented Jim Ellis, WA Chapter Chair.

About The ACS Foundation (www.acsfoundation.com.au)

The ACS Foundation was established in August 2001 to encourage both private and public sponsorship of IT higher education and research. By increasing funding opportunities for industry to contribute to education programs, the Foundation seeks to create a highly skilled workforce, able to effectively access research and industry-specific training. Since its establishment, the ACS Foundation has raised more than $20 million and awarded more than 1,400 scholarships.

The prime scholarship facilitator focused exclusively on the ICT industry, the ACS Foundation receives funding from ICT companies, industry associations, Government bodies, individuals and the ACS itself. An ATO-designated Deductible Gift Recipient, the ACS Foundation provides tax effective programs for industry and private donors.