The divide between people with access to computers and
those who risk being excluded from digital services is a target for
work by new BCS president David Morriss during his first year in
office.
Pointing to a BCS survey carried out in June, which showed that 26%
of people had no access to a PC at all, Morriss said, "It is clear
there is a danger of a portion of the population being excluded
from this information age.
"It is essential that accessibility is taken seriously by the
industry. Much has been done in this area but much more remains to
be done. Companies, industry bodies and charities are working
together more and more to make a difference and the BCS is proud to
be one of them."
He singled out the IT4Communities initiative, which the BCS is
involved in with five other organisations, including Computer
Weekly. In two years it has recruited 2,000 volunteers and has
worked on IT for hundreds of charities.
Morriss is also active in charitable body the Worshipful Company of
Information Tech-nologists and the AbilityNet charity, which
advises disabled people, employers and carers on specialist
IT.
Morriss is taking over as BCS president after a landmark year of
change to the membership grading structure. This has brought in
6,500 new members in six months, pushing the total to well over
40,000. The changes mean IT specialists can get recognition in the
form of a BCS professional membership grade much earlier in their
careers.
"The more IT professionals we have in membership, the better the
job we can do on representation," he said.
"We believe IT to be the profession of the 21st century. For this
to be generally accepted we have to raise standards and performance
as an industry. This is the role of a professional society."
The BCS had also taken a "great step forward" as a learned society
during the presidency of Wendy Hall, professor of computer science
at Southampton University, Morriss said.
Highlights included the Grand Challenges in Computing conference,
which discussed areas for collaborative research; a joint study
with the Royal Academy of Engineering into the development of
complex systems; and the introduction of Thought Leadership
debates, which brought together academic, industry and government
figures to discuss IT issues.
Experts have also become involved in other ways, Morriss said.
"Forums and strategic panels have given the society access to
people who have a lot to contribute on developing issues and
forming policies, but whose time is limited."
The BCS' duty to society is being fulfilled in several ways. More
than 80,000 boys and girls are participating in the Scouts IT
badge, which is sponsored by the BCS, and the total is expected to
top 100,000 by the end of the year.
The European Computer Driving Licence IT qualification has enrolled
its millionth candidate in the UK and work on entry-level IT skills
means that the BCS is moving even farther into helping society get
to grips with IT.
Morriss paid tribute to the active involvement of thousands of
members in different ways. "We are first and foremost a membership
body and everything we do depends on our volunteers.
"Because of the hard work of so many people, the BCS finds itself
in great shape. But we are not complacent: we can safely say this
is the end of the beginning - but there is still a great deal to be
done."
David Morriss worked in IT for London Transport and then IBM
where he was appointed to the UK board. He is a non-executive
director of REX Software, a senior official in the Worshipful
Company of Information Technologists and a trustee of
AbilityNet