The Cyber Program, led by Dr Reza Ryan in the School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences (EECMS), and the Curtin Institute for Data Science (CIDS) were delighted to co-host the Office of Digital Government’s WA Chief Information Security Officer, Peter Bouhlas, for a networking session with staff and a presentation to 60 students in the Masters of Computing program on ‘An Overview and Challenges of Digital Government in WA’.

Mr Bouhlas was warmly welcomed to Curtin by our Faculty of Science and Engineering Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Rawson, who spoke about the growing digital footprint at Curtin which includes training in cybersecurity, AI, data science and advanced computational techniques which is underpinned by research institutes and centres such as the CIDS and Innovation Central Perth (ICP). Professor Rawson also emphasised the importance of having speakers like Mr Bouhlas, who take the time to present to our postgraduate students.

ICP Interim Director, Dr Siavash Khaksar, spoke about the role ICP plays in training the next generation of industry ready workers; Dr Ryan introduced the Cyber program at Curtin; and CIDS Director, Professor Melanie Johnston-Hollitt, discussed the four-fold growth of the CIDS in the last three years. Mr Bouhlas followed this with an insightful presentation to our postgraduate students, providing them with practical insights into the challenges faced by Governments to ensure data integrity and safety.

This initiative has sparked the potential for further collaborations, including establishing a memorandum of understanding between the WA government and Curtin.

Thank you and well done to all involved in this important visit.