Dr Ian Oppermann, Director of CSIRO's ICT Centre.

New Director for CSIRO ICT Centre

Reference: 09/229

Following an intensive international search and selection process, a senior telecommunications industry executive, Dr Ian Oppermann, has been appointed Director of CSIRO’s ICT Centre.

• 16 December 2009

CSIRO’s Group Executive, Information Sciences, Dr Alex Zelinsky, said that in his former position as the Global Head, SMC Sales Partnering and GTM (Go-to-Market) for Nokia Siemens Networks, Dr Oppermann led the company’s initiative to establish and develop ‘global technology and sales partnering’.

“His role included taking overall responsibility for business strategy, profitability, cultural change and growth and development opportunities including finding companies to partner with to improve business outcomes,” Dr Zelinsky said.

Prior to joining Nokia Siemens Networks, Dr Oppermann was Director of the Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) – a self-funded innovation centre that is part of the University of Oulu, Finland.

Dr Oppermann holds a Bachelor of Science degree (majors in Computer Science and Pure Mathematics), a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and a PhD in Electrical Engineering (in Mobile Communications), from the University of Sydney, and an MBA in International Business Management (major in Business Strategy) from the University of London, England.

“In addition to Dr Oppermann’s extensive professional experience, he has been an active scientist holding senior editorial and conference organisational positions, supervising PhD students and contributing to a significant number of journal publications and books,” Dr Zelinsky said.

“As the ICT Centre’s new Director, his aspirations are to help improve the level of international connectedness of the Centre and CSIRO, strive for greater engagement with local industry and help the Centre achieve its scientific and business goals.

“I am delighted that CSIRO has been able to attract a person of Dr Oppermann’s calibre and experience. His appointment will be a real asset to the organisation and will lead our continued strategic drive of using ICT as an enabler of innovation for Australia’s industries and multi-disciplinary research across the CSIRO,” Dr Zelinsky said.
 
Dr Oppermann will commence as CSIRO’s ICT Centre Director on 28 January 2010.

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