Aspects of Professionalism, Ethics and Lifelong Learning for Australian ICT Professionals

Abstract

In a change from 20 years ago, the majority of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals in Australia now have some form of initial tertiary qualification and also understand the need for keeping up-to-date with new technologies, processes and concepts. They thus typically engage in some form of on-going professional development or Lifelong Learning. Not all, however, fully realise the need to keep up with other issues such as ethics and professionalism. In this article we look at what is meant by ICT professionalism, particularly from an Australian perspective, and consider its importance. Professionalism in ICT should be seen as a way of maximising quality and reducing risks. The ICT industry itself is changing and the Australian Computer Society is in the process of developing a new ICT Body of Knowledge, based on specific Technical and also Professional Knowledge. This article examines how the issue of professionalism is handled in Australia in both undergraduate education and lifelong learning of ICT professionals. It gives examples of how ICT professionalism in undergraduate courses is handled, and looks at examples of why and how ICT professionals undertake further education and lifelong learning.