Research organisation National ICT Australia (NICTA) today announced that its CEO and President, Dr Mel Slater tendered his resignation effective May 31, 2005.

Less than two years into his stint at the helm of Australia’s ICT Centre of Excellence, Dr Slater indicated that personal considerations had shaped his decision to return to the United States.

Dr Slater said, “My decision to resign is driven by personal reasons, and it is with heartfelt regret that I must return to the United States.  However, I would not be doing this if I was not supremely confident that a strong foundation has been laid for NICTA’s continued success.

“NICTA is well on track to receiving significant recognition both as a leading international ICT research institute, and as a leader in helping to provide significant economic benefit for Australia. This can be attributed, in whole, to the incredibly passionate and brilliant team of researchers, educators, marketers, professional staff and administrators that have joined and contributed their talents to NICTA.  I am immensely proud of the people at NICTA and take great pride in what they have accomplished to date.”

“I would like to acknowledge the leadership provided by my executive team.  Setting up an organisation of several hundred people of this quality, from scratch, is a very difficult task. I was convinced when I joined NICTA that this unique world class initiative would in time provide great benefit to Australia and I am even more convinced now,” said Dr Slater.

NICTA Chairman, Neville Roach, AO said, “The Board thanks Dr Slater for helping build the foundation for Australia’s ICT Centre of Excellence.

“When Dr Slater arrived in Australia NICTA had a small number of full-time staff, it now has over 200 employees and is working with its partner universities with over 100 students on NICTA scholarships for PhD degrees covering a wide range of information and communication technologies.

“NICTA now has in place a substantial research agenda and the infrastructure to support commercialisation.  It also has initiated an enriched education program with our partner universities, and is developing linkages with major corporations,” said Roach

Dr David Skellern, a member of the NICTA Board has been appointed to the position of Deputy CEO until May 31. After May 31 Dr. Skellern will assume the position of interim CEO until a new CEO is appointed. A search for a new CEO will begin immediately.