Optional Academic Forum sponsored by the University of Melbourne.

Advancement of Systems Engineering through Academic Scholarship

The advancement of knowledge aspect of the INCOSE Development Plan sets the scene for this series of opening presentations, panels and debates. Academia is able to assist advancement of the state of the art through sponsored education, research and provision of foundational knowledge.

This Forum, using 16 international speakers to present and probe issues that the audience debates, will explore the place of Academia in assisting these goals. Sessions explore the pros and cons of the current support provided by Academia and how it might be strengthened. The opportunity to contribute to the debates is provided via the structured program.

A report of the event will be published on the INCOSE web.

Session 1: Review of INCOSE Plan and Involvement of Academics

Recent Past President, Donna Rhodes, will outline the relevant parts of her INCOSE plan thereby setting the scene for the day. The first open forum will discuss this with her.

Session 2: Academic Contributions Needed to Support Systems Engineering

Prof. Philip M'Pherson (long time SE professor and Consultant, UK) will outline the situation in which Academia works. He is followed by experienced academic Panelists, Professor Leon Sterling (venue host) Australia; Dr. Yupo Chan, US; Dr. Andy Sage, US; Prof. Stephen Cook, Australia, who will each amplify aspects of the situation. An open forum debate on academic contributions follows to round out the morning.

Delegates then adjourn for lunch.

Session 3: The non-Academic Viewpoint on how Academia can be used to Support Stakeholders

Bob Tufts (an SE staff developer and hirer for TASC-Litton, US) will give his views of what industry requires and expects Academia to provide. He is followed by Panelists Mary Simpson, Battelle US; David Wright, MOD UK; Jean-Phillipe Lerat (LERAT Org. France), after which the session moves to an open forum debate on what stakeholders expect of Academia.

Session 4: Existing Academic Activity in support of Systems Engineering and What Next?

Prof. Dennis Buede (Chairman, Education & Research Technical Committee, INCOSE) will then summarise already existing academic activities that support SE stakeholders, including those of INCOSE committees.

The day ends with Dr. Errol Lawson (Consultant, Australian Defence sector) moderating the final open debate of this forum. With help from all in the attendance he will tease out paths to follow for more effective Academic support.

Prof. Sydenham (Academic Forum Convenor, Australia) will summarise and close the day's activity.