Proceedings of the First Australian Undergraduate Students’ Computer Conference

Background: the Australian Undergraduate Students’ Computing Conference was motivated by discussions between Dr. Paul Gruba and members of the Melbourne University – Computer Students’ Association. The main impetus was that conferences aimed at undergraduates were not uncommon in Canada and the United States, while in Australia the culture for promoting ICT research at the undergraduate level has been less developed. Thus the main focus of AUSCC is in promoting independent thought and critical thinking among undergraduate ICT students through the medium of research. From this original aim others followed. Since AUSCC has been designed to be open to ICT students across Australia, closer cross-institutional links will be developed. Indeed it is hoped that in the future AUSCC will help foster a strong sense of community among Australian ICT students, educational institutions and the ICT industry. Under the guidance of Dr. Gruba the AUSCC03 conference organisers – all undergraduate students – gained valuable organisational, communication, team working and time-management skills; while the undergraduate presenters have gained research, writing and public speaking skills. Each of these skills are crucial and cannot be learnt in a course. Instead they may be gained only through experience. AUSCC03 was held at the University of Melbourne, September 24-26 2003 and was a resounding success, undeniably making serious headway into achieving the goals of the AUSCC. With continued hard work, AUSCC will become an annual event that will foster undergraduate research in Australia.