Message from the Dean

Anyone can observe that Information Technology (IT) is a rapidly evolving field.  New ideas and technologies are proposed, developed and introduced almost daily, but the aim of  IT  has always been the same: to address the challenges of the effective use of computer-based technologies to support personal, organizational, and societal needs in dealing with information-rich and knowledge-based practices.

The essential quality I expect an IT graduate to possess is the ability to solve problems effectively.  In the area of IT, problems that need to be solved come in many different forms and at different levels of complexity.  Where there is a challenge, the graduate uses all the knowledge, skills, experience, and crucially the capability to acquire new knowledge and skills, to tackle the problem with enthusiasm and professionalism.  Awareness of up-to-date technical progress in IT, and its cultural and organizational contexts is required.

The undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the School of IT aims to educate students to posses such a quality, on completion of the degree(s).  And so far, I am confident that we have been successful.  It is one of my greatest pleasures to be a member of this school, staffed by the faculty of an international standard, and to work with highly motivated and enthusiastic students from all over the world.  The School of IT has witnessed students transform as they progress through their programs of study: acquiring sound technical knowledge and skills through courses, becoming effective team players through a number of group projects, building up confidence through internships, appreciating the societal diversity through the campus life in an international community, and a trimester spent abroad, and demonstrating their ultimate problem-solving capability through completion of their thesis.  We feel pride and gratitude to have been given an opportunity to contribute to this. 

I am also proud of the great team we have in the School of IT.  The academic professionalism members demonstrate in terms of teaching and research is remarkable.  Through academic research we can offer students the best education and service to the community in the form of research projects and cooperation.

The University, and the School of IT, will continue to evolve within the rapid changes that surround us. 

I sincerely look forward to the day we meet, be it in classrooms or through research and project partnerships. 

Professor Carl Rohwer DSc