ACS' Hughes passes away

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has reported that long-time member and figure, professor John Hughes, recently passed away. He was buried today.

Hughes was on the industry body’s ACS Council for more than two decades and was most recently its board director for accreditation, assessments and appeals.

He was made an honorary life member of the society in 1990.

Hughes also worked at Sydney’s University of Technology for 36 years and was the director for the tertiary educator’s Institute for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

During his working life he was also a visiting professor at universities in NZ, and the UK and consulted to various ICT schools and faculties in Australia.

In a statement, ACS president, Philip Argy said Hughes’ death represented a tragic loss of both a wonderful person and an outstanding academic leader.

“John was a tireless contributor to the ICT profession, and during his distinguished career he provided invaluable support to the industry, particularly in the education of ICT professionals,” he said. “His friendship, leadership, wisdom, wise counsel, sanity and down to earth approach will be greatly missed by everyone who worked with him."

The ACS has now set up an annual academic prize in Hughes’ honour.

The John Hughes Memorial Prize, will award an ACS student member studying at UTS. An amount of $10,000 has been given to help further ICT studies.

Hughes is survived by his mother, sister and brother and their families.

Messages of condolences can be sent to bob.hart@acs.org.au. These will be passed on to Hughes' family.

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