Canadian Information Processing Society
Company type | Not for profit |
---|---|
Industry | Professional Society |
Founded | 1958 in Toronto, ON, Canada |
Founder | Calvin Gotlieb |
Headquarters | Mississauga, ON, Canada |
Products | Professionalism |
Brands | AITP (Associate Information Technology Professional), I.S.P. (Information Systems Professional), ITCP (Information Technology Certified Professional) |
Services | Accreditation of university/college programs, Certification of IT professionals, Mentoring, Partnerships |
Number of employees | 2 (excluding volunteers) |
Website | www.cips.ca |
Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) is the professional association that aims at continuously advancing the information technology (IT) field, while representing the interests of information technology professionals across Canada.
CIPS belief is that the professional foundation starts with students at universities and colleges as well as earlier levels of education; for this reason, it also has partnered with high schools. For this purpose, the association accredits IT related programs across Canada, ensuring compliance with the internationally accepted standard that defines the knowledge elements that are part of IT field.
The association also recognizes information technology practitioners that have either met or exceeded the eligibility criteria required to be recipient of the Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.) designation, the only one of its class recognized in Canada by Act of Parliament. CIPS is also accredited to award the internationally recognized Information Technology Certified Professional (ITCP) designation to seasoned professionals that demonstrate that, in addition to their IT knowledge, understand how to effectively utilize and apply their organizational experience to achieving organizational excellence.
CIPS recently implemented a new designation for graduates from CIPS accredited programs. The Associate Information Technology Professional (AITP) designation identifies the recipient as an individual that is working toward the achievement of the I.S.P. designation, while providing an early exposure to the benefits of belonging to the association.
One of CIPS' main purposes is to spread the message of and enforce the cause of professionalism in the practice of information technology. It does so by encouraging and facilitating ongoing professional development and knowledge sharing, by ensuring compliance with both, an SFIA-aligned body of knowledge and a code of ethics and professional conduct, as well as by safeguarding the public interest. The mentoring program available from CIPS is instrumental in attaining this goal. The program helps model and encourage professional behavior by matching up and coming CIPS members with experienced professionals versed in technology and business. The objective is to help mentees develop soft skills and guide them in their chosen path to success.
In addition, CIPS adds value to its members by offering other services, including the regular hosting of events across Canada for the purpose of encouraging networking and the associated exchange of ideas, professional experiences and best practices.
Moreover, CIPS is a voice representing the IT profession to government, and international forums. On that note, CIPS is also a founding member of IFIP (International Federation for Information Processing), which was established in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO, for the purpose of advancing the IT profession through collaboration. Currently, more than 56 Associations of IT Professionals from around the world are actively represented, including the British Computer Society and the Australian Computer Society.
History
In September 1958, a dedicated group of data processors (DP) got together to talk about common concerns of DP workers. That conference demonstrated to participants the value of sharing ideas, networking with fellow professionals, and learning about coming changes in the technology, practices, and management of information systems. This event sparked the formation of the The Computing and Data Processing Society of Canada. In 1968, the society changed its name to the current Canadian Information Processing Society.
In the mid-1980s, as the needs of information systems practitioners evolved, CIPS saw the need to develop a comprehensive professionalism program for the IT industry. The Information Systems Professional of Canada (I.S.P.) designation, a direct result of CIPS' focus on professionalism, was introduced in May 1989.
Calvin Gotlieb, recipient of the Order of Canada in recognition for leading Canadians into the modern age of computing—he is recognized as the "father of computing in Canada"—helped found CIPS in 1958,[1] serving as its president from 1960 to 1961.[2] Calvin was elected as founding fellow in 2006.[3][4] The first President of CIPS was Fred Thomas serving in 1958 to 1959.
Organization
International reach
CIPS is the Canadian member organisation of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP).[5] IFIP works on establishing international standards for information technology and software engineering. CIPS is also a member of South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC) and a founding member of IFIP IP3.[6] CIPS is also a constituent member of the ICCP, .[7] which is the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals, based out of the USA, and dedicated to the establishment of high professional standards for the computer industry across North America.
Moreover, CIPS is a member organization of the Federation of Enterprise Architecture Professional Organizations (FEAPO), a worldwide association of professional organizations which have come together to provide a forum to standardize, professionalize, and otherwise advance the discipline of Enterprise Architecture.
Provincial bodies
Each province has a provincial body that administers the legislation or regulation establishing the self-regulating professional body. This consists of the following bodies:
- CIPS Alberta
- CIPS British Columbia
- CIPS Manitoba
- CIPS New Brunswick
- CIPS Newfoundland and Labrador
- CIPS Nova Scotia
- CIPS Ontario
- CIPS Prince Edward Island
- CIPS Saskatchewan
In Québec, CIPS is partnered with the Réseau ACTION TI.[8]
Legislation
- Alberta: Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. P-26, Information Systems Professional Regulation, Alta. Reg. 39/1997
- British Columbia: Society Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, s.s. 86-93 (Occupational Titles Protection)
- New Brunswick: Canadian Information Processing Society of New Brunswick Act, 2001, c. 49
- Nova Scotia: Canadian Information Processing Society of Nova Scotia Act, S.N.S. 2002, c. 3
- Ontario: An Act respecting Canadian Information Processing Society of Ontario, 1998, c. Pr21
- Saskatchewan: Canadian Information Processing Society of Saskatchewan Act, S.S. 2005, c. C-0.2
See also
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) (related organisation in USA)
- Australian Computer Society (related organisation in Australia)
- IEEE Computer Society (IEEE CS)
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
- International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP)
- Mountbatten Medal
- New Zealand Computer Society (related organisation in New Zealand)
- Computer Society of Southern Africa (CSSA) (related organisation in South Africa)
- Brazilian Computer Society (SBC)
- British Computer Society (BCS) (related organisation in United Kingdom)
References
- ^ "Founder". CIPS. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
- ^ "Calvin Gotlieb FCIPS (Fellow's profile)". CIPS (the Canadian Information Processing Society). Retrieved April 1, 2010.
- ^ "CIPS Fellow Members". CIPS (the Canadian Information Processing Society). Retrieved April 1, 2010.
- ^ "Awards and Accolades May 2006 Gotlieb Elected Inaugural CIPS Fellow". University of Toronto. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
- ^ "IFIP General Assembly 1. Full Members". IFIP. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
- ^ "IP3 - Leading the Development of the Global IT Profession". IFIP IP3. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
- ^ "About ICCP". ICCP. Retrieved April 3, 2010.
- ^ "About CIPS". CIPS. Retrieved April 3, 2010.