PROF. BOB Stone is the first person from outside the U.S. to be appointed to one of the sub committees that runs the prestigious Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC).

This annual event is the world’s premier showcase for modelling and simulation training technology.  Prof Stone holds the Chair in Interactive Multimedia Systems at the University of Birmingham, whilst fulfilling a part-time role at Virtalis as the company’s communications, training and defence specialist.

Prof. Stone commented: “Virtalis has had a presence at I/ITSEC for the last four years and I have presented papers on the virtual gunnery trainers we developed for the Royal Navy, the voice marshalling trainer we developed for the RAF and the ongoing work with the Defence Technology Centre.  Two of these papers achieved “continuing education development” accreditation.  As a member of the training sub committee, I will be reviewing papers, chairing sessions and helping to organise the conference.”

I/ITSEC promotes co-operation among the armed services, industry, academia and various government agencies in pursuit of improved training and education programmes and the identification of common training issues.  Its antecedents go back to 1966 when it was a U.S. naval training conference, and it has evolved and expanded to now encompass all branches of the American and other armed forces, as well as industry.  With representatives from 45 countries around the world, almost half the Conference’s delegates now come from outside the U.S., so Prof. Stone’s appointment is a prescient one.