Codan founders' scholarship legacy

In 1959 three exceptional University of Adelaide students – Ian Wall, Alastair Wood and Jim Bettison – embarked on a humble business venture, founding Electronics, Instrument, and Lighting Company Ltd (EILCO).

A decade on, this evolved into, and was renamed, Codan, now a global powerhouse renowned for innovation in developing rugged and reliable electronics solutions for government, corporate, NGO and consumer markets across the globe.

The pioneering spirit of those three young engineers continues to be used as an inspiration in the business – and, from next year, it will also help bright young minds succeed at the University where their careers started.

During Codan’s early years Ian, Alastair and Jim developed their first high-frequency (HF) radio for the School-of-the-Air network, enabling distance education programs and access to quality education for children in remote communities.

Their technology also became instrumental in providing life-saving communication for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, supporting medical emergencies across Australia.

In 1980, the United Nations recognised the reliability of Codan’s HF radio equipment and adopted it for humanitarian relief efforts in Uganda. This marked the beginning of Codan’s role as the leading global supplier of high-frequency communications to aid organisations, providing a lifeline for relief workers during crises, natural disasters, and conflicts.

Codan’s commitment to innovation and social responsibility also led to the acquisition of Minelab Electronics in 2008. This allowed Codan to develop cutting-edge metal detecting technologies vital in locating and de-arming landmines around the world.

These technologies are now used by the US Army for landmine clearance efforts, humanitarian groups for farmland de-mining, and developing countries for safe gold mining practices.

Fast forward to the present and Codan continues to thrive with manufacturing and corporate offices in Australia, USA, UK and Canada, as well as representative offices in Ireland, Brazil, Denmark, Mexico, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

This year, to honour the legacy of their three founders, Codan has worked with the University of Adelaide to establish a new scholarship program, to be known as the Codan Founders’ Scholarship.

“Codan has established itself as an innovative organisation that has developed many breakthrough technological advances but we are also an organisation that is invested in supporting the local and global community,” Codan CEO Alf Ianniello says.

This prestigious initiative will provide PhD candidates with an opportunity to work alongside Codan’s experts, helping to shape the next generation of engineering trailblazers who may, in their turn, impact lives globally.

“The aim is to empower exceptional PhD candidates to address real-world social challenges, create positive impact, and contribute to communities worldwide. Through this initiative, we aim to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” Mr Ianniello says.

The Codan Founders’ Scholarship program honours core values and attributes: Dr Ian Wall AM’s entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approaches; Alastair Wood’s rigorous approach to design and excellence in engineering; and Dr Jim Bettison’s creativity, commercial acumen, and ability to ‘think outside the box.’

The first Codan Founders’ scholarship will be awarded in 2024.

Both Dr Ian Wall and Dr Jim Bettison were recognised with honorary doctorates – Doctor of the University (honoris causa). Dr Bettison also served on the University of Adelaide Council, including as Deputy Chancellor.

Story by Andrea McCarthy, Corporate Relations Coordinator for the University of Adelaide.