Speeches by the Chairman of SCIA on February 13th, 2003 by Theo van der Ven
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome!
On behalf of the Executive Board of the Stichting ter Certificering van Informatie Architecten, in short (SCIA), I welcome you today to this meeting
In my view this is an important meeting, because this afternoon certificates will be presented to fifty people who have proved that they are able to practice, at a high level, the profession of Information Architect, IT -business architect or IT-architect.
In addition to the people who will receive the certificates I would especially welcome the representatives of the Dutch Parliament, as well some representative of the European Parliament who – to be able to attend this meeting- have left the plenary session in Strassbourg early. This illustrates the importance that the politicians attribute to an objective opinion of professional skills, not only at national level, but also at a European and even an international level.
Also present this afternoon are representatives of the "professional societies", CEO’s from Business, representatives from Universities and other interested parties from home and abroad all of which demonstrate their interest in this meeting.
(This afternoon also present are representatives of the "professional societies", which shows ones interest, as well as CEO’s from the business and representatives of universities, as well other interested parties from home and abroad.)
A special welcome is extended to both keynote speakers for this afternoon: professor Doctor Wolffried Stucky, president of the CEPIS (or to give it it’s full title: The Council of European Professional Informatics Societies) and Tony Jenkins, president of EUCIP, which is a part of CEPIS. Both of these gentlemen will, this afternoon, make clear what the relationship is between the objectives and initiatives of their European organisations and the SCIA.
"Last, but by no means least" a warm welcome to other guests and the representatives of the press, who will cover this meeting.
Regretfully, due to the turbulent times presented by the formation of a new cabinet and other issues, which demand their attention, some of our guests have sent their apologies for not being able to attend this meeting. They all demonstrated their willingness to be here but, for reasons of "National or "European interest" they were unable to join us this afternoon.
We, of course, understand this but are encouraged by their obvious interest and encouragement. Consequently, this meeting will have continuation at the "highest possible level.
Besides the congratulations we have received there has been a lot of positive reactions which promise active support for the realisation of the objectives of the SCIA, once again at national and international level.
We are, of course, delighted with these reactions, but not a little overwhelmed by the large number of very positive reactions we have received. The underlying reaction clearly places "The Netherlands is on the European map with it’s eSkills initiatives".
Before I give the floor over to professor Stucky, I would like to tell you something about the history and the development of the SCIA.
The SCIA is an independent organisation which has as it’s objective to manage the regulations of the profession of Information Architect, IT-architect and IT-Business Architect, and to certify mentioned architects on the basis of those regulations.
The SCIA was founded in 2001 and in mid 2002 the condensed registration started for persons who could prove to have long-term experience in one of the mentioned fields of information architecture.
After assessment of the submitted documents, and after consultation with the referees, there remained about fifty persons, which complied with the severe regulations for certification. You will understand, therefore, that we would like to make the presentation of the first fifty certificates happen in this festive ambience.
It remains to be seen whether, in the near future, such a large group will comply with the rigorous demands of certification. After all, only keeping those demands at a high level and not to buckle to external pressure or to ease those demands prevents devaluation of titles.
Starting from a number of companies there is a high interest to certify their employees next to the "company"-certificates, by the independent SCIA, which combines knowledge in the particular areas of certification, architecture, education, change management and psychology.
The Bodies of Knowledge are, partly due to the experience of the certification of the fifty architects, known. Gradually the perception came into being by the external reviewers, of the domains of the respective kinds of architects. It is a profession in which several specialities are combined. Accordingly, one of the next activities will be to write out this knowledge in Bodies of Knowledge.
A successful career is based upon the combination of Knowledge, Skills and Being. These three aspects have carried a lot of weight during the process of certification. Sometimes this caused the rejection of some of the candidates, although in the –commercial- practice they were regarded as such. This illustrates that the SCIA really has high demands of their candidates, which means that the persons in this hall, which will receive their certificates this afternoon, (almost) reached the top of this profession.
A body of Knowledge must be managed actively and develop with the demands of the day. In addition other – European and international- frameworks must be able to guarantee the Body of Knowledge. Further, the body must associate with society and the public support of political, government, business, labour unions and universities and other institutions.
An Advisory board of stature is also a matter of great importance and I will to be able to tell you something more about that advisory board later on.
But first I like to give the floor to professor Stucky, president of CEPIS.
Professor Stucky, please.
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Professor Stucky, thank you for your clear presentation!
I like to introduce to you Mister Tony Jenkins, president of the EUCIP (European Certification of Informatics Professionals), who will draw attention to the activities of the SCIA in the framework of EUCIP.
Mister Jenkins, may I invite you to give your presentation.
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Click for Presentation Jenkins
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Mister Jenkins, a presentation like this clarifies matters. It shows interconnection as well as how complementary different activities can be and by which the joint objectives can be met. Based upon the promises made by the politicians I am very optimistic!
Thank you for your presentation.
The moment the candidates have been waiting for in suspense has finally arrived: the presentation of the desired certificate.
The board of the SCIA is very pleased that Professor Stucky, as president of CE, is willing to perform the presentation, which underlies the interest of a good and objective occupational certificate.
The procedure will be as follows:
When you hear your name, please step forward to receive the Dutch or International certificate from professor Stucky, which as been signed for and on behalf of the board of the SCIA. Please sign the certificate together with the list of released certificates under guidance of the board, which will fully grant the certificate. After this procedure has been completed please return to your seat.
Professor Stucky may I invite you?
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Presentation of the certificates
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Professor Stucky may I thank you for your co-operation. A certificate received by you is a collector’s item in itself. Thank you very much.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before we lift a glass and toast the welfare of everybody that received an occupation certificate of architects of the information supply in particular, I shall, as promised, go into a brief description of the components our advisory board. Attempts have been made for a balanced construction. Appointments on this level take some time; therefore I will only mention the names of the people who have promised to become part of this board.
Obviously there are representatives from the fields of Politics and Business which will be added, but it already gives us great pleasure to see that this ‘Heavy’ advisory Board (and in the board bundled knowledge and experience) will contribute in the positioning of the SCIA in future years.
With this in mind it is clear that we are able to face a future which is filled with confidence.
Accordingly, I end the official part of this meeting and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all of you for your time and energies in coming here today.
I would like to propose a toast to the well being of all of you and to the future of the people who can now categorise themselves as information Architect, IT-Business Architect or IT-Architects.
To your health and success!