Innovative studios honour Monash pioneer
The Faculty of Information Technology recently celebrated the opening of the Chris Wallace Learning Studios, innovative new teaching spaces at Clayton campus.
The late Professor Chris Wallace joined Monash University in 1968 as Foundation Professor and Chair of Information Science, retiring in 1996 when he was appointed Emeritus Professor.
Speaking at the official opening of the refurbished computer labs in Building 26 at Clayton campus, Professor Ron Weber, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, paid tribute to Professor Wallace's contributions to the Monash community.
“It is fitting that we have been able to recognise Professor Wallace’s contributions to the information sciences with the naming of the learning studios at the University’s Clayton campus,” Professor Weber said.
“The new spaces will further enhance the facilities our students can access, giving them the best opportunity to succeed in their chosen courses.”
Professor Wallace was active in the field of information science before it was recognised as an academic discipline, and his influence is still felt today.
The Wallace multiplier is an algorithm for fast multiplication that is used in many types of pocket calculators. He also developed the Minimum Message Length, a theory of machine learning and statistics, which informs current research into a number of fields, including data mining and artificial intelligence.
Professor Wallace was widely published, with four papers in the prestigious journal Nature.
The refurbishment of the computer labs was led by Dr John Betts, Associate Head of School Clayton School of IT and Jeanette Niehus, School Manager.