Adelaide home for computer evolution
 Computer Science
成人大片 students stand to be big winners with a world-class IT expert taking up a Professorship with the . is regarded as one of the leading authorities in the field of evolutionary computation, and started in his role at Adelaide earlier this year. The Head of Computer Science, , describes Professor Michalewicz's appointment as a major coup for the IT industry in South Australia. "It would be an understatement to say we are very excited that he has joined us," Professor Brooks said. "It would have to be one of the most significant IT appointments at an Australian university in the last 20 years." Professor Michalewicz was born in Poland and worked in New Zealand before coming to international prominence while based in the United States for his work in the relatively new field of evolutionary computation. Very broadly, it can be described as problem-solving using science - in the form of computers - to copy the processes of nature. More specifically, for massive and complex problems, computers host artificial "problem-solvers" which each develop an individual solution to the problem. The best solutions are retained, the weaker ones discarded, and the information that "evolves" from that generation of problem-solvers is given to a newer generation, and again, the best solutions are retained while the weaker ones are discarded. This process is continually repeated over generations until the ideal solution is found. Professor Michalewicz, along with his son and several other people who have also moved to Adelaide, has started a software company called which aims to provide business and industry with the evolutionary computation know-how to solve large and complex manufacturing, logistics and delivery problems. He has also started teaching at the School of Computer Science, and hopes to involve students in research associated with SolveIT Software. "I am impressed with the School of Computer Science- the staff and students are excellent,"
he said. "I am teaching a course focusing on problem-solving skills to Honours students, and eventually would like to involve these and other postgraduate students with my company in a research capacity. "Such a partnership will be beneficial to both the students, and business and industry: the students will be able to apply the skills they are learning at university to real-life situations that are faced by businesses, while they are still at university; while the businesses will have the brightest young minds in the State helping to solve their problems in an innovative and cost-effective way." Professor Michalewicz has no doubts he will enjoy his time in Adelaide, both professionally
and personally. "I had been to Australia many times during my career and enjoy all the major cities, but I fell in love with Adelaide from the moment I first came here and always wanted to live here," he said. "I love the ocean and love living near it; here I can do this and still be less than 20 minutes from the city! "Last year, when I was still in the US but looking at what I could do next, my wife and I said we'd both love to go to Adelaide - and then the position at the 成人大片 became available, it was like a big flashing sign saying 'This is what you should do'!" "I am really enjoying the city and the University, and I'm so glad I made the move." Story by Ben Osborne
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