2015 QUESTnet & THETA Conferences Combine

2015 will see an exciting change.  As the biennual THETA conference is being held close to the traditional QUESTnet conference in both a geographic and timing sense, we are merging for 2015!

We look forward to seeing the QUESTnet delegates and sponsors at the THETA conference at the Gold Coast Convention and Entertainment Centre between 11-13 May 2015.

QUESTnet 2014 Conference  in Review

The QUESTnet conference has concluded for yet another year.

This year saw a range of session topics with speakers sharing knowledge and experience at the coalface of ICT development in higher education and research.

We received the important updates on the newest products and services from our technology partners.  Session topics ranged from the deeply technical, through to important ICT industry themes such as Women in IT.  We heard from world-class speakers on ICT related research and academic disciplines such as robotics and business process management.  In addition in wrapping up, we had the pleasure of hearing from Jessica Watson sharing some of her experiences leading up to and during her inspiring solo round-the-world sail.

Gluing all of this together was the inimitable Rod Quantock, sounding the bells and herding us to the sessions on time.  Rod ensured speakers started their talks with a positive and engaged audience, which was at very least smiling and in most cases joining in a good-natured chuckle.

On the social side we had bare-foot bowls, heard from a strolling string duet during the opening reception, and were serenaded by dueling waiters with the magnificent backdrop of Brisbane’s city lights during the conference dinner.

The conference dinner also saw the announcement of the winners of the AARNet awards.  Congratulations to first prize winners The Mars Yard Project, a collaboration between UNSW, the Powerhouse Museum and University of Sydney.

Special thanks goes to QUT for hosting the 2014 QUESTnet conference and in particular Rod Swile, Michael Boyle and Chris Bridge.  Thanks also to our platinum sponsor HP, our gold sponsors Amcom, AARNet, Cisco, Dell, F5, Huawei, Juniper, NEC, NetApp and the other 25 sponsors all of whom help make the annual QUESTnet conference possible.

Thanks to those who responded to the post-conference survey.  69% of respondents indicated an overall conference rating of good to excellent.  The program clearly hit the mark with 81% rating it good to excellent.  The trade show was also highly valued with 93% of respondents indicating they had visited the trade show and 69% indicting is was good to excellent.  The biggest hit was the conference dinner with 91% indicating it as good to excellent.

Most pleasingly 91% of respondents indicated they are interested to attend another QUESTnet conference.  The results are very gratifying for organisers and our sponsors, and confirmed the conference is providing value for the sector. 

The lucky winner of an ipad mini from the survey respondent draw is Bryan Thompson of QUT.  Congratulations Bryan!

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