a review of information systems programs in universities in victoria

This paper outlines the current situation of Information Systems (IS) programs within the State of Victoria, Australia. It reports on how Victorian Universities are addressing the challenges associated with reducing local and international student demand, and hence enrolments, at a time when IS in particular and ICT in general are seen by the business sector as necessary components contributing to organisational success. Transcripts of interviews with 14 academicians at nine universities throughout Victoria are analysed to give a current profile of IS programs and identify the trends in their development over time. First, a profile of the State of Victoria, its education system and its ICT industry is provided to place this work in context. Next, the interview sample is described and a number of relevant topics of interest are identified and discussed, comparing and contrasting the various programs. Finally, a summary of the findings is provided in light of the framework used to guide all of the studies of the Australian IS programs described in this special issue.