Research School of Computer Science

Excellence rewarded by motivated people
by Heather McEwen

Universities traditionally have a fairly rich history of philanthropy that helps to extend research and education, build new facilities, and encourage access or excellence for scholars.

The reasons why benefactors support these activities and their motivation to continue to do so are as varied as the personalities and corporate cultures that they represent.

CECS has several scholarships that encourage excellence in engineering and computing and on Friday 27 July more than 60 staff and students gathered for the 2012 prize ceremony at University House.

Michael Hawkins, Chair of the Canberra branch of the Australian Computer Society (ACS) says that it provides prizes for all institutions in IT to support up-and-coming talent, to contribute to working in industry, and to address the skills shortage in IT. He presented the ACS prize for Computer Science to Thanh Ta Nguyen.

“Basically we want to do anything we can to help. Not just now but for ongoing professional development to help people in IT to develop professionally, ethically and successfully,” he said.

“ANU graduates are different and difference is necessary in the IT profession. Here the research and development environment runs through all the subject matter. I believe that we need these forward thinking skills and people,” he said.

According to Michael, ACS as a professional association has a long history in Canberra, and a long history of supporting IT education. He says this is a priority for them and they factor support into their budget and planning processes.

The family and friends of Sean Gan Corcoran a 3rd Year Engineering and IT student who died in 2008 established the Corcas Prize in memory of their son.

Attending the scholarship ceremony in the Hall at University House to present the Prize to Elizabeth Coonan was a poignant moment for John Corcoran and his wife Siew, since Sean’s celebration of life had been held there just four years ago.

John and Siew, with their friends and family, decided to establish the prize because Sean had been heavily involved in ANU life, not only through study, but also through his sporting and other interests. His life “revolved around friends, some of whom he had since High School and College who were also at ANU. It made sense to us to remember him in association with the University,” said John.

“In fact the prize is known as the ‘Corcas Prize’ because that was Sean’s nickname and everyone at the University knew him by that name.

“The prize helps to remind us of where Sean’s dreams were headed. We’d like to know that the prize-winners keep in touch with ANU so that we might see where their dreams take them.”

John and Siew’s other son, Ross, took a combined degree in engineering and commerce at ANU, and is now practicing as an Accountant. Their daughter, Tara, studied arts at ANU.

“We feel we are part of the ANU family,” said John.

Professor John Hosking, Dean and Director of CECS thanked all benefactors, and commented that everyone present at the ceremony was there to “unashamedly celebrate excellence and success”.

He congratulated all prize and scholarship winners and concluded by saying that they were nurtured and tested by some of the finest minds in the country, and found worthy of recognition.