Inaugural Humanitarian Computing Prize

Students in the Master of Energy Change program and other postgraduate programs at the Australian national University who enrol in the course COMP7310 "ICT Sustainability" are eligible for the $5,000 Humanitarian Computing Prize. The inaugural award to Kenta Hiraoka was made today.

ANU adjunct lecturer and researcher Tom Worthington wants students to start thinking about how computing can change the world.

“Computing is normally thought of as part science and part commerce. I want to inspire students to look at how they can better the world through the application of technology,” he said.

To do this, Tom has established the Humanitarian
Computing Prize to reward students who excel in the
Information Computer Technology Sustainability course.

“The world needs graduates who have the skills and
ambition to make a better world. As an educator I have learned that prizes can be a powerful motivator of students.”

Tom explained that humanitarian computing is about helping people through the use of information technology.

“Humanitarian computing promotes human welfare
through the appropriate application of information
technology. Some areas I have worked in use computers to assist people with disability, coordinate relief operations during natural disasters and reduce carbon emissions to combat global warming.”

Tom hopes that his support of humanitarian computing will attract the attention of others with the ability to make a difference.

“My hope is the Prize will inspire business and government to make contributions to ANU to help further the work by students in the area of humanitarian computing.”

From: Computing Changing the World, 2013 ANU Report to Donors.