Innovation Expo 2001 : Welcome

from Professor Simon Kaplan

Welcome to the second (and bigger and better) ITEE Innovation Expo. This event is an opportunity for our School to showcase its research and teaching through the project work of our final-year undergraduate students. Over one hundred projects are being exhibited, covering research topics from software engineering to semiconductor device physics.

ITEE prides itself on being the primary research and teaching School in all aspects of Information Technology & Electrical Engineering in Australia. Over 6000 students studied in our School in 2001, and this year we will produce over 300 graduates in our 11 degrees, including electrical, communications, mechatronics, computer systems, software and biomedical imaging engineering, information technology, information environments, and information management. Our commitment to undergraduate teaching is stronger than ever. In 2001 we have continued our aggressive programme of redevelopment and refurbishment of our teaching infrastructure, which will provide our future generations of students with the best possible teaching environment. In particular we have refurbished and rebuilt laboratory and project spaces in the Axon building, built new computing labs in the GP South Building, created our first computer-based 'training space', and completed the network and infrastructure rebuild started in 2000.

We also continue to lead Australia in teaching innovation across all our degrees. 2001 saw a massive revision to our information technology curriculum, as well as approval of the Mechatronics degree and agreement to create a Biomedical Engineering program at the University.

Of particular note this year has been the introduction of the RoboCup Junior robot building competition, in which teams of primary and secondary students competed to build robots that could dance, play soccer, or perform seach-and-rescue operations. Our first finals were held this year and were highly successful. We look forward to continued success next year. School visitors to the Expo, in particular, should make a point to find out more about how they can participate with us in this wonderful activity next year.

In research, the School has continued its strong record. Over the past 5 years over $30M of funds have been attracted to the School and its affiliated research centres, a trend which I am delighted to report shows every sign of continuing, and which continue to provide our over 145 research students and 100 academic and research staff with the facilities and opportunities required for excellence.

Strong links with industry and the general public are highly valued by the School, its staff and its students. The Innovation Expo is an important part of the maintenance and expansion of these links.

I'd like to acknowlege Dr Vaughan Clarkson and his indefatigable team, which includes academic, research, technical and administrative staff of the School, for once again putting on a marvelous exposition of the depth and breadth of activities at our School.

As I walked around the exhibits last year I was amazed at the quality and variety of project successfully completed by our students. I expect to be equally enthralled this year, as I'm sure you will be. Therefore, on behalf of the School, I hope you will find our Expo accessible, informative, engaging and entertaining.