CWU’s Global Reach in Information Technology Acknowledged

LYNNWOOD, Wash. (October 23, 2012) — Central Washington University’s leadership in online higher education was acknowledged at this year’s International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) World Computer Congress, held in Amsterdam. At the Congress, Terry Linkletter, CWU-Lynnwood Information Technology and Administrative Management (ITAM) professor, delivered an invited presentation on “Building the IT Profession Toward 2020” and participated in a roundtable discussion on the ideas presented.

“Even after the presentation and discussion, educators and industry representatives kept coming up to me to talk one-on-one about using the strengths of the Internet to reach more budding professionals,” Linkletter said, noting that European Commission studies project a deficit of more than 700,000 skilled IT professionals by 2020 on that continent alone.

“If you want a good career in information technology, consider moving to Europe!” said Linkletter, facetiously, pointing out the United States also experiences a deficiency in new IT professionals annually.

Increased investment in sustainable information technology gives a stronger positive boost to the economy, providing a productivity multiplier that results in greater wealth per person than other kinds of investment, according to economists with the Congress.

IFIP was established by the United Nations as the key multinational, apolitical organization in information and communications technologies. Its members are comprised of IT professionals from 56 countries and regions around the world.

Linkletter is also president-elect of the international Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals, and serves on the Association for Computing Machinery’s Education Board and Professional Development Committee.

“Helping prepare bright contributors to move strongly into the information technology profession is my goal,” Linkletter said.

CWU’s ITAM department offers online bachelor’s degree programs and will soon offer a master’s degree.

Media contacts: Terry Linkletter, CWU-Lynnwood ITAM, 206-347-3334, linklett@cwu.edu
Robert Lowery, CWU Public Affairs, 509-963-1487, loweryr@cwu.edu