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Autism Academy

The Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance (AASQA) is an Australian social innovation initiative with the vision of harnessing the special talents of people with Autism for the collective benefit of those with Autism, industry and the wider community.

The mission of the AASQA is to enable individuals on the autism spectrum to leverage their unique talents through training, educating and mentoring programs, so as to create pathways to valued, long-term employment; whilst addressing the business needs of the Australian ICT industry facing challenges in attracting and retaining software testers within the sector.

The AASQA provides high-level expertise and services in assessment, training, education and work placements for individuals with Autism in the software testing industry. The primary key components of the AASQA include:

  1. a training academy with links to tertiary education bodies, to train and certify software inspectors with Autism (the Academy)
  2. an enterprise to provide graduates of the Academy with employment opportunities to meet the market need for organisational level software testing (the Enterprise).

The rich inter-dependencies between the Academy and Enterprise provides a strong business model to service the growing demands of the software testing industry, as well as delivering a game-changing shift in enabling valued employment opportunities for adults with Autism.

Underpinning the training academy is the development of programs targeting (1) outreach to high school students; (2) training and education support in ICT discipline areas; and (3) creation of work experience opportunities through internships.

Genius Armoury training opportunity

Genius Armoury offers a range of courses to help introduce neurodiverse individuals to cybersecurity, exploring some of the fundamentals of coding, threats, and exploits, networking, and more. Available to anyone and free to complete, modules only take around 30 minutes to complete.

Successful completion of the program may provide eligibility to those located in Western Australia for enroll in a Bachelor of Science course in Cybersecurity at Curtin without an eligible ATAR, through the Portfolio entry system.

Find out more
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Our advisory board

Robert Williamson – Co-Chair

Robert Williamson – Co-Chair

Emma Whitty

Emma Whitty

Adj. Prof. Jim Ellis OAM – Founding Chair

Adj. Prof. Jim Ellis OAM - Founding Chair

Prof. Tele Tan – Director AASQA

Prof. Tele Tan - Director AASQA

Russell Thomas

Russell Thomas

Sarah James

Sarah James

Our ambassadors

Prof. Lyn Beazley AO, FTSE

Prof. Lyn Beazley AO, FTSE

Hon. Kerry Sanderson AC

Hon. Kerry Sanderson AC

Robert Williamson, CEngA, AFIEAust, EngExec, NER, GAICD

Robert Williamson, CEO of Red River Group and Executive Advisor China for the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) Australia, is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Australia and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Robert is the Chairman of Engineers Australia ITEE Board in WA and a member of the National ITEE College Board, and he is also a member National Professional Standards Board. Robert also sits on the Executive Committee (WA) of the Australia China Business Council. In China, Robert is a member of the China International Mining Cooperation Committee.

After a career of 22 years with Rio Tinto and then General Manager at Snowden Mining Consultants, Robert formed Red River Group in 2012 with a firm vision for trade with China in Mining. Robert is an advisor to Chairmen and Executives of ASX, Private and NFP entities.

Robert Williamson on LinkedIn

Emma Whitty

Emma is widely acclaimed within the IS industry as a fearless innovator. She is driven by the user experience, business opportunities and the current trend in consumerisation of technology.

Moving from Melbourne to Perth in 2013 to take on the role of Vice President Information Systems (CIO) at Clough Pty. Ltd, Emma catapulted the renowned Engineering Company on a journey of transformation that included Infrastructure as a Service, the set-up of an innovation retainer, the launch of a mobile app platform, and the introduction of scholarships to help drive change. Underpinning her success was the ability to bring different parties together into novel and valuable partnerships, extending their reach and bringing value to each business.

In 2017 Emma was asked to join the advisory boards of AASQA and the ACS Foundation, bringing her drive and approach to innovation into the NFP sector adding a new angle to her focus, technology for good. Emma’s experience with Information Systems spans multiple industries and includes iconic organisations such as Kraft Foods, Seven West Media, Cadbury as well as the Australian Department of Defence.

Professor Jim Ellis OAM, B. Sc, CF (Curtin), Hon. D. Sc (Murdoch), FACS CP, FAICD, C. Eng.

Jim Ellis was the inaugural Chair of the AASQA Advisory Board, stepping down in June 2018. He is currently the Immediate Past Chair. Jim has worked in information technology for more than 50 years, working for several multinational organisations in England, Eastern Europe and South East Asia before moving to Perth in 1981. In Perth, he worked for several international and local ICT organisations before founding his own company Westinfo Services in 1997. Westinfo Services represented Gartner, the world’s largest technology advisory organisation in Western Australia and Northern Territory from February 1997 until March 2006.

Jim was appointed an Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University in June 2006 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the ICT Industry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2008. He was given the award of Curtin University Fellow in September 2015 and made an Honorary Doctor of Science by Murdoch University in September 2016.

Jim is a Fellow and Honorary Life Member of the Australian Computer Society (ACS), and a Fellow of the AICD (the Australian Institute of Company Directors). He has been a national Vice President of the ACS, and Chair of the ACS WA Branch. He is currently a member of the Branch Executive Committee of the WA Branch of the ACS.

He was Chair of the WA Chapter of the ACS Foundation, which provides tertiary scholarships in the ICT area, from 2002 to 2013, and was on the national board of the ACS Foundation.

Jim conceived the WA IT & Telecommunications Awards (WAITTA) and was Chairman from its inception in 1991 until March 2003. He is currently a Member of the Management Committee of WAITTA (now the WA IT and Telecommunications Alliance).

Jim is a Non-executive Director of Independent Living Centre WA, and Chair of the IT Industry Advisory Panel at Murdoch University.

He has a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Statistics from St Andrews University, Scotland.

Jim Ellis on LinkedIn

Professor Tele Tan

TELE obtained his PhD degree in Electronics Engineering at Surrey University (UK) in 1993 in Electronics Engineering. He joined Curtin University in 2014 after spending a decade in Singapore as an engineer and researcher. He is the Founder and Director of the Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance. The Academy is a social innovation initiative with the vision of harnessing the special talents of people on the autism spectrum for the collective benefit of those with autism, industry and the wider community. Its mission is to enable individuals with autism to leverage their unique skills through training, educating and mentoring programs, creating pathways to valued, long-term employment. Tele sees the importance of collaboration as a tool to help build resilience within our community, both local and global. In 2016, Tele was awarded the ACS Digital Disruptors Awards for ICT Educator of the Year. Since then, he has led in a team submission to win the 2018 Business and Higher Education Roundtable (BHERT) Awards for Outstanding Collaboration for National Benefit.

Dr Marita Falkmer

Dr Marita Falkmer is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow funded by the Collaborative Research Centre in Autism (Autism CRC) in the School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology at Curtin University. She is also an Associate Professor in disability science at Jonkoping University, Sweden. In her current professional role, Dr Falkmer has the privilege to be involved in projects within and outside the Autism CRC all aiming to improve opportunities for people on the autism spectrum to find their place in society.

She has  a background in special education and long experience working together with children, and adolescents on the autism spectrum in educational settings in Sweden. This also included working as a course director in the educational work conducted by The Swedish National Autism and Asperger Association and being commissioned to write the chapter “Inclusive strategies for students with Asperger syndrome and other autism spectrum conditions” by The Swedish National Agency for Education to be included in their report regarding Students with Asperger syndrome in Swedish schools.

Dr Falkmer also has extensive experience of consultations and education in staff groups within school organisations and in services for adults on the autism spectrum. She has been a proud contributor of AASQA since its creation.

Denis Coldham

Denis Coldham is an IT Lecturer and Head of Programs IT at South Metropolitan TAFE, helping students through their learning journey as they study IT. After working in SME IT for many years, and several years as an IT educator, Denis can use his experience to help students reach their goals.

Through compassion and empathy for all students, Denis successfully guides all students to have a fair chance, allowing self-improvement through study and mentorship while at South Metro TAFE. Using flexible approaches to study and support, Denis help’s more students succeed in their study journey.

As a Certified Professional of the ACS, and a member of the ACS Board Executive Committee in WA, Denis can help affect change in the WA ICT Landscape and create a community that is inclusive for all in their ICT careers.

Russell Thomas

Russell is the Executive Manager, Disability Employment Services at the Autism Association of Western Australia. He completed formal disability studies as a Social Trainer in the late seventies and has worked in the Disability Sector for 44 years. Originally Russell was employed by the State Government in various roles from coordination to staff & community education. The last twenty-six years have been spent in senior management positions in the NFP sector. Russell has worked with the Autism Association of Western Australia for the past fourteen years and heads up the only Autism specific employment support service in Australia.

Oliver and Virginia Sta Maria

Virginia and Oliver Sta Maria are property investors with a passion to assist people with Aspergers to get the best out of life.

Oliver was born in Malaysia. In the late 70’s he travelled with a band around Australia. He later graduated as an Industrial Designer and set up his own design business. He changed direction and worked in Mental Health Rehabilitation until 2006.

Virginia was born in Perth. Her background is in real estate. With Oliver, they started buying and selling real estate and developing properties.

Virginia has had a recent diagnosis of Asperger’s and continues to understand herself and the diagnosis.

Virginia and Oliver have been married for over 25 years and have a 21yo son on the spectrum. Raising a son on the spectrum was easy as he never succumbed to peer pressure. Although getting the best for him was sometimes a challenge. He came to Curtin to pursue his passion. He is a participant in the Curtin Specialist Mentoring Program.

We expect to be able to contribute as a member of the Board through our life experience of Aspergers from all angles…our life as a couple and coaching a son with Aspergers.

Lisa Holley

Lisa is a Corporate Responsibility professional with over fifteen years of experience in both the UK and Australia, holding a broad range of Senior Leadership roles in the financial services, manufacturing and professional services sectors. Lisa is currently Head of Corporate Responsibility at Bankwest with responsibility for leading the development and delivery of Corporate Responsibility and Community Investment strategies.

Lisa is passionate about leading teams and organisations through change with a personal goal to build a more sustainable world for future generations. A strategic thinker with expertise in sustainability, cultural transformation, organisational design, HR business partnering, employee engagement and diversity and inclusion.

Professor Lyn Beazley AO, FTSE

After graduating from Oxford and Edinburgh Universities, Professor Lyn Beazley built an internationally renowned research team in Neuroscience that focused on recovery from brain damage, much of her investigations undertaken as Winthrop Professor at The University of Western Australia. Currently Lyn is the Sir Walter Murdoch Professor of Science at Murdoch University.

As Chief Scientist of Western Australia from 2006 to 2013, Lyn advised the Western Australian Government on science, innovation and technology as well as fulfilling the role of science ambassador locally, nationally and internationally.

In 2009, Lyn was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia and was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

More recently, Lyn was inducted into the inaugural Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame and was elected as a Fellow of the College of Educators.  In 2012, Lyn became the second recipient of the Governor’s Award for Giving, in recognition of her enthusiastic philanthropy through her outreach activities promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in the Western Australian community.

In 2013, Lyn was honoured to be inducted into the Western Australian Science Hall of Fame and to become a Companion of the Institute of Engineers.  Lyn was amazed and delighted to be named the WA Australian of the Year for 2015.

Hon. Kerry Sanderson AC

Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC was Western Australia’s 32nd Governor. Prior to becoming Governor, she had a distinguished career both in business and in the public sector having chaired and served on a number of corporate boards and appointed as director of listed companies, not-for-profit and charitable organisations.

Kerry was CEO of Fremantle Ports for 17 years until October 2008 and was then Agent General for the State of Western Australia from November 2008 until December 2011. Based in London, the Agent General represents the State of Western Australia in Europe and Russia and promotes investment in Western Australia and Western Australian exports to Europe. In 2004, she was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the development and management of the port and maritime industries in Australia, and to public sector governance in the areas of finance and transport in Western Australia. She was also the inaugural inductee to the Lloyds List Shipping and Transport Hall of Fame.

A strong advocate for excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools, Kerry launched the Governor’s School STEM Awards in 2015 to recognise the commitment of school leadership teams in developing their schools’ STEM program, to encourage students to better understand the possibilities that studying science and mathematics brings.
In 2016, she was inducted as Honorary Member of the Australian Computer Society for her role in supporting societal development with regards to opportunities brought forth by the information technology revolution.

In 2016, Kerry was appointed a Companion of the Order for eminent service to the people of Western Australia, to the promotion of international investment, scientific research and export opportunities, and through roles with maritime, mining, emergency management and not-for-profit organisations.

Sarah James

Sarah is a highly energetic and dynamic leader at Jacobs, renowned for her 20 years of exceptional delivery and expertise in technology and engineering. She is a multi-faceted individual, juggling multiple roles as a mother, wife, immigrant, start-up owner, engineer, technologist, geographer, author, and farmer.

With a rich background in creating inclusive cultures in various leadership positions, Sarah inspires her teams to prioritize gender diversity and diversity of thought. She is a fearless leader, known for making the impossible a reality, and approaches problem-solving with a passion, utilizing tools such as analytics, AI, IoT, and data.

Sarah is also the author of “Are you ready to change the world? – Technology leadership for the future,” a book that motivates individuals to aim higher, do more, and make a positive impact.

As a TEDx speaker and advocate for autism, Sarah is an active member of the Curtin University AASQA program advisory board and serves as a mentor at a Neurodivergent CoderDojo club.