Andy presented "A Perspective on Innovation" (presentation available here) .

In his presentation, Professor Andy Hopper gave the audience an assessment of the global context of innovation as an important topic being discussed by companies and governments in their quest for economic growth. He followed with examples of innovating companies based on his personal experience from both his academic and industrial careers. His presentation was followed by a session of Questions & Answers from the audience that provided even further insight on his perspective on innovation.

 

The lecture was well attended by a group of 50 people, many of which were IET members. Among the distinguished guests attending were Ms Glenda Graham, General Manager of the Victorian Division of Engineers Australia (EA), Dr Greg Adamson, Chair of the IEEE Victorian Section along with IEEE previous Chair, Mr Robert Slaviero.

 

Following Professor Hopper’s presentation, he advised the guests of the recent signing of a Head of Terms agreement between the IET and EA, by which the respective Bodies commit to work together towards a common set of goals that will promote and enhance the Engineering profession.  A signed copy was officially presented to Glenda Graham on the night.



To bring the evening to a close, Reuben Medding was presented with the Sir Lionel Hooke Award for 2013 .



Earlier in the day, Andy also spoke at the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) prestigious Black Box Lecture Series. Andy's presentation on Computing for the Future of the Planet was eye opening from a security and personal privacy perspective. The computing advances spanned helping the world acquire information about where energy is used to how best to manage the renewable energy that can be generated around the world at any one time.