Auckland – September 23, 2015 An exciting future for computer science careers, which represent nearly 10 percent of the current 100 best jobs listed in the United States, is the central focus at a major New Zealand IT and computer education conference in Queenstown next month. Many of the country’s leading computer science educators and researchers will attend the landmark CITRENZ event on October 6 to 9 to further improve the desirability of young New Zealanders taking up modern digital world careers. Digital technology and qualifications are desperately needed across many careers which will be discussed by experts at the Computing and Information Technology Research and Education New Zealand (CITRENZ) conference. Organiser Associate Professor Alison Clear of Eastern Institute of Technology in Auckland says New Zealand is facing a huge future for digital technology and computer science in helping businesses grow. “All businesses now rely on technology to stay in business. The use of current and future technologies will give these businesses a market edge in increasing current market share and exploring new markets,” Associate Professor Clear says. “Things like more sophisticated data mining, big data, improved telecommunications, mobile apps will all help. Computer graduates will have the world at their fingertips. A Forbes study has identified software quality assurance engineers as being in the happiest job of all careers with two other computer science professions appearing in the top 20. “Most of the jobs our graduates will work in haven’t been invented yet. Current jobs will morph into new careers as technology advances and changes. It is stimulating and extremely satisfying to be able to build systems that helps the people of the world to better economies, health and well-being. “The qualifications in IT and computer science in New Zealand are as good as anywhere in the world. Our academic staff are highly regarded internationally. “We are already not only teaching the technical skills but also the soft skills that industry require of graduates. They receive an education that enables them to “hit the ground running” and be immediately productive in the industry. “There are so many increasing areas and disciplines that require graduates with computer technology skills. This opens up a whole world for graduates as they are able to take their education and skills to all sorts of different areas in which they have interests. “We will be discussing many key issues at the conference next month including new computing qualifications that the New Zealand Qualifications Authority have recently listed. They are new programmes of study and these developments have been controversial, to meet new qualifications. The Queenstown conference will bring together academic staff from polytechnics and institutes of technology in New Zealand to share ideas, investigate new technologies, look to the future of IT, and ensure they are delivering the very best quality education for students. For further information contact Associate Professor Alison Clear, CITRENZ, on 021 955495 or Kip Brook, Make Lemonade media specialist, on 0275 030188. Photo: CITRENZ organiser Associate Professor Alison Clear
