Australia’s Robert Black Receives Prestigious International Award from EDSF and Xerox

By Brett Dashwood edp – Vice President Asia Pacific OutputLinks

Back in April at AIIM ON DEMAND 2009, the Electronic Document Systems Foundation (EDSF) – the international, non-profit organization dedicated to the document management and graphic communications marketplace – announced the recipients of its 2009 Excellence in Education awards.

Each year, EDSF recognises five outstanding educators and groundbreaking educational and training programs worldwide. These awards are presented for innovative contributions that help prepare our future industry workforce and develop current professionals.


OutputLinks' Brett Dashwood and Robert Black, International Centre of Graphic Technology

One of these awards was the 2009 Innovation in Continuing Education, which was awarded to Robert Black, the director of the International Centre of Graphic Technology (ICGT), School of Design, at RMIT University for Training Package Pathways.

Robert was unable to make it across to Philadelphia for the awards ceremony at AIIM ON DEMAND, so EDSF Executive director Brenda Kai asked me if I would do the honour of making the official presentation of the award to Robert here in Australia. The award was sponsored by Xerox, so it was only fitting that I was able to make this presentation as part of Fuji Xerox Australia’s Leading Commercial Printers Group event, held recently during PacPrint.

RMIT’s ICGT is recognised as having one of the most advanced training facilities in the world. Certainly, document production systems demand that operators be highly skilled, so RMIT provides customised programs that balance vocational skills development, new technologies and the constantly changing needs of industry. As such, RMIT has access to the most sophisticated technology available through alliances with leading provides such as Heidelberg, Fuji Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, EFI, AGFA and Kodak.

Robert is particularly proud of the State Government's acknowledgement of the ICGT as a Specialist Centre and the on-going National recognition that the ICGT is a Centre of Excellence for Printing and Graphic Technology training in Australia and South East Asia.

“For RMIT, it’s about educating the clients. Companies need to be aware that these qualifications create a labour pool with usable skills in the industry,” said Robert Black. “We are ecstatic with the relationship we have with Fuji Xerox Australia, which continues to grow stronger and stronger, now with 4 qualifications focused in the digital market sector.”

It is the Centre's focus on providing pathways from entry level Certificate II qualifications to Diploma to Degree. Reviewed regularly, competency based and sequenced, the program pathways provide opportunities for early entry, apprenticeships, and post-trade qualifications, offering both full and part-time study.

I was privileged and proud to honour a leader such as Robert Black who helps shape our industry and allows it to grow and flourish.  On behalf of the industry, thank you Robert.


Brett Dashwood, EDP, makes his presentation to RMIT’s Robert Black, in conjunction with Fuji Xerox at PacPrint. From Left to Right: Brett Maishman (National Commercial Print Business Manager, Fuji Xerox Australia), Brett Dashwood, EDP, Robert Black, Paul McLean (Go to Market Strategic Marketing Team Manager, Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific).