Cardiff University recently hosted a seminar run by the UK Chapter of DAMA International to look at the relationship between data management and education.

There were four interesting speakers who, between them, made a strong case for good professional education on both sides of the business management/IT divide; explored the concept of Professionalism in IT and the way that is supported by education and certification, with particular reference to the qualifications available through the BCS-managed Information Systems Examination Board, including a Certificate and Diploma in Data Management; presented proposals for improving the existing qualification structures for the professionals who are in charge of an organisation's information resource, including the possibility of bringing together the higher education sector, professional certification bodies such as ISEB and industry; and looked at the requirement to manage and record the provenance of electronic data in the era of the service oriented approach to systems.

The mixed audience of academics, students and IT professionals all found something of interest in the presentations and also took advantage of the networking opportunities that are always available at DAMA UK events.