Vision and Goals for SAICSIT for 2007/2008
 
Thank you once again for the trust entrusted in me. I hope that I shall not disappoint you as president in this two year period.
I have subsequently studied the Constitution of SAICSIT and was pleasantly surprised to learn that SAICSIT is actually far more than an annual conference. In fact, I think the thirteen founding members of SAICSIT really showed some vision way back in 1982 when they founded SAICSIT.

In 1992 the Mission of SAICSIT was changed to: ‘The Institute focuses on research and development in computing and information technology (IT) in South Africa’. The following Strategic Objectives were accepted alongside the mission:
To enhance the communication amongst members and all interested parties regarding research and development projects by means of services and links with other professional bodies;

• To support education and training;
• To monitor the availability of human resources for research and development;
• To seek solutions to technical and socio-economic problems in South Africa by means of research and development projects and
• To strive for professionalism and excellence amongst members.

Taking the above into account, one can certainly conclude that SAICSIT has indeed a prominent role to play in South Africa in the Computing and IT disciplines.
 
The sentiment of the SAICSIT Constitution also hints at the fact that the Computing and IT Industry should play a core role in SAICSIT. This aspect seems to have ‘disappeared’ as currently no Council members are from industry. I hope that the IT industry can be lured back into the activities of SAICSIT and also to play an active role in the whereabouts of SAICSIT.
 
As many things have changed in South Africa since 1982 and 1992, I would also like to investigate the possibility whether SAICSIT should not expand its sphere of influence to Southern Africa, including neighboring countries. Botswana and Zimbabwe, to mention only two countries, have showed the desire and willingness to participate and form part of the academic activities offered in South Africa.
 
Membership is also a matter that needs to be addressed. As many member contact details have changed during university mergers, the membership details are certainly not up to date. This obviously causes communication problems. Hopefully we can update our membership lists and details soon. Marketing SAICSIT also seems to be a problem. For this reason, and also to assist in updating membership details, I am in the process of identifying a contact person in every computer science, information systems and/or information technology department at every South African university. If we can establish such a liaison person in every department, marketing and general communication should be more effective.
 
In updating the membership lists, I would also like to see SAICSIT Members and Fellows use the letters MICSIT or FICSIT to designate their grade of membership of the Institute when their qualifications and affiliation are listed, as proposed in the constitution.
 
Also, we need to investigate how SAICSIT can really use SACJ and the annual SAICSIT Conference, the only two official forums at this stage, maximally to the benefit of SAICSIT.
 
I trust that SAICSIT will add value, in one way or another, to each of our members for the next few years to come.