CQUniversity Mackay academic Dr Steve Pace has been honoured as a leading professional in Australia's ICT (information and communication technology) sector...

Early in August, Dr Pace was presented with a national teaching award - ICT Educator of the Year* - as part of the ICT industry's annual iAwards (http://www.iawards.com.au/) gala dinner and presentation ceremony at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

Dr Steve Pace accepts his national award from Professions Australia CEO Malcolm Farrow

This was the first of two national teaching awards Dr Pace accepted in August.

In mid-August, he attended Sydney Opera House to accept a $10,000 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. LINK HERE for more on the ALTC Citation.

The iAwards are organised by the three peak industry bodies: the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), and the Pearcey Foundation.

Dr Pace received the award for his contribution to the Multimedia Studies program over the past 15 years, and for innovative teaching and learning projects such as exposing students to outstanding role models from the digital media industries.

"The judges told me there were lots of other factors that contributed to their decision, such as feedback from students and colleagues, my engagement with the local community, and my recent work in South America mentoring researchers who are studying the social impact of providing low-cost public Internet access to very poor communities," he said.

Dr Steve Pace at the ALTC awards with CQUni colleague Lisa Bricknell, who also gained a Citation

"It's a little ironic to win an award for ICT Educator of the Year when I work in a School of Creative & Performing Arts, and not a School of ICT.

"Maybe that highlights the diverse nature of what we do in our extraordinary School. Maybe it also says something about the changing nature of ICT and its focus on human values. These days ICT is concerned with much more than just technology; it's part of a wider cross-disciplinary exchange.

Dr Pace says the experience was a good networking opportunity.

"I had a great evening seated next to Senator Kate Lundy and across from Senator Stephen Conroy. Other industry leaders who I met at my table included Suzanne Campbell (CEO of the Australian Information Industry Association), Alan Patterson (CEO of the Australian Computer Society) and Charles Lindop (NSW Chair of the Pearcey Foundation)."

# # #

• The ICT Educator of the Year Award is 'awarded to an Australian educator who has shown excellence in ICT education and demonstrated exceptional outcomes for both students and employers'. The judging criteria includes:

- Outstanding delivery of ICT learning outcomes for their institution
- Demonstrated capability to influence the development of ICT curriculum
- Outstanding performance as a leader of ICT education