CIPS looks to educators for answers, attract students to tech careers

    Expert panel and results from study presented at event--May 7, 2007

    TORONTO, May 7 /CNW/ - CIPS, Canada's association of Information
Technology (IT) professionals, is looking to educators for answers in
addressing the decline in students pursuing technology careers. CIPS is
holding a National Academic IT Youth Forum and Web cast meeting today to share
findings about students' attitudes toward technology and what attracts them to
computer science courses.
    "We need to understand youth, what drives them and their perceptions
about technology careers," said CIPS President John Boufford I.S.P. "Then, we
have to look to the university and college professors across the country to
share their thoughts and expertise on what needs to be done to get students to
enroll in computer science and technology programs. We have to consider the
facts: only 42 per cent of students say their school encourages them to
develop technology and computer skills, and only 15 per cent of students say
they learn more about technology from their teachers and courses."

    CIPS, in association with Microsoft Canada and Youthography, is hosting
the National Academic IT Youth Forum and Web cast meeting of post-secondary
professors across the country. The Forum features the following panel of
experts:-   Karen Lopez I.S.P., IT Professional & Spokesperson, CIPS;
    -   Craig Boutilier, Chair, Department of Computer Science,
        University of Toronto;
    -   Nancy Rodrigues, Associate Dean, School of Media Studies &
        Information Technology, Humber College;
    -   Carolyn Peters, Quantitative Manager, Youthography;
    -   Mike Farrell, Partner and Director of Research & Strategy,
        Youthography;
    -   Omar Falou, PhD Student, Ryerson University; and
    -   Daniel Shapiro, Academic Program Manager, Microsoft Canada.CIPS (Canadian Information Processing Society) is an
internationally-known association for IT professionals in Canada. Founded in
1958, CIPS represents IT professionals on issues affecting the IT industry and
profession. For more information, visit: www.cips.ca.

For further information: Mylene Sayo, Public Relations Manager, CIPS -
National, Phone: [phone] ext.23 or Cellular: [phone], E-mail:
[e-mail]