COVERSTORY HKCS: 40 years 4 continued from page 33 in finding “the key” to enter the discipline as they did not meet the prerequisite. In contrast, the new CPIT (InfoSec) credential offered by the HKITPC provides IT practitioners with a stepping stone to get into the field,” said Ho. This view is also echoed by Patrick Chau, director of the “second-phase” project and a professor in information systems at the University of <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong>. “We need a local and credible IT professional qualification to attract our young talent to enter the field and consider working in IT as their choice of career. The development of the three junior-level CPIT titles is exactly for this purpose.” A “Roadmap” for IT certification Looking forward, HKITPC is tasked to consolidate the multitude of qualifications awarded by different professional bodies in the city. As “phase three” progresses, HKITPC will spell out the qualifications of IT professionals in eight major disciplines in a consolidated roadmap called the Professional Proficiency Matrix with three levels of progression – practitioner level, specialist level and expert level. The eight designated ICT discipline areas are: (1) Application Development/Software Engineering, (2) Quality Assurance, (3) Project Management, (4) System Solution & Architecture, (5) Information Services, (6) Infrastructure, (7) Information Security, and (8) Digital Interactive Professional. According to Sunny Lee, chairperson of the board of directors of HKITPC, the roadmap benefits the IT professionals in various ways: Firstly, it helps IT professionals plan their career development. Secondly, it allows employers to define precisely the skills and experience required for their recruitments. Thirdly, it assists professional bodies to identify the gaps in professional qualifications; hence develop the most meaningful certifications. Fourthly, it provides a yardstick for the accreditation of school curricula and the design of continuing professional development materials. Fifthly, it provides a framework for cross recognition of certifications with professional bodies overseas. Finally, it helps the government to rationalize what and when to support development projects of further qualifications. “We need a local and credible IT professional qualification to attract our young talent to enter the field. —Patrick Chau, HKUC Agnes Mak, director in-charge of the HKITPC, a HKCS distinguished fellow and a former HKCS president (1995-1998), emphasizes the importance of the Institute for the whole IT community and industry and says, “the HKITPC belongs to all professional ICT associations in <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong>. It is not under sole ownership of the HKCS. From HKITPC’s point of view, all credible ICT professional bodies are welcome to join the institute as shareholders and to work together to elevate the professional status of our IT profession.” Mutual recognition The HKITPC is gearing up to achieve mutual recognition of professional ICT titles with those offered in mainland China, with a pilot program in Guangzhou. Presently, the HKITPC are in the preparation stage in signing up a memorandum of understanding with an ICT association in Guangzhou to crosspromote the six titles offered in <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong> and some 30 titles being offered in mainland China. “Chinese people generally have high regard for qualification titles and passing examinations. This is almost a tradition for them, as positions and ranks are most welcome. Mainland Chinese people generally have greater confidence in professionals in <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong>. Hence, it is crucial to drive these professional certification examinations and peer assessment in mainland China. At HKITPC, certification of senior ICT titles is based on assessment by their own peers [instead of by examination]. If <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong> is to tap into the mainland Chinese market with these certifications, we need to complement the existing qualification titles, which are all examination-based,” said Stephen Lau, JP, chairperson of the first Board of Governance of HKITPC and a distinguished fellow of HKCS. Proving doubters wrong In retrospect, Agnes Mak recollected one occasion in the 1990s where a renowned barrister in town, Martin Lee, attended an annual dinner of <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong> <strong>Computer</strong> <strong>Society</strong> as guest of honor. When Mak told Lee that IT practitioners would also like to become professionals like lawyers, Lee said, “It is impossible for the IT industry to attain professional standing, because IT develops just too quickly.” “At first I thought he was right. A few years later, I believed he was wrong,” recalled Mak. “While Martin was referring to the technical aspects, IT experts are indeed valued for their capability of managing the ever changing technology in the ICT world. Our practices, our code of ethics, and our accumulated expertise remain unchanged.” 3 34 <strong>Computer</strong>world <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong> Nov 2009 www.cw.com.hk
www.cw.com.hk Nov 2009 <strong>Computer</strong>world <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong> 35
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