Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar Information Systems student receives international recognition

Press release

Published June 19th, 2012 - 04:25 GMT

Carnegie Mellon University

At the 2012 Student Chapter Conference and Competition, the Association for Information Systems (AIS), awarded Carnegie Mellon University Qatar student Aamir Masood with first place in the IT Risk Management Track Competition. Finalists were invited to participate in the competition in Provo, Utah, in April after completing an earlier virtual competition round. Competitors presented their cases, developed during the virtual round, to a panel of corporate and academic judges.

“We extend our congratulations to the students involved in this rigorous competition,” said AIS Vice President of Student Chapters Lise Urbaczewski. “They are exemplary representatives of the highest quality of AIS Student Chapter members and have distinguished themselves as the best of the best. We also thank the faculty involved for their time and support of these outstanding students.”

Carnegie Mellon’s entry consisted of a single student: Aamir Masood, a senior who graduated in May.

During the competition Aamir was asked to present a case to a hypothetical company on whether the organization should implement an Identity and Access Management (IAM) System. Aamir bested six teams (of four students each) from other universities by highlighting how such an investment would not only streamline IT operations but also improve the business process, meet regulatory compliance standards, and enhance investor confidence.

“My gratitude goes to Professor Dan Phelps for his advice and Professor Selma Liman Mansar for her support. Much love to my Tartan friends who cheered me on, even when participating “solo” in an international competition sounded crazy – let alone qualifying for the finals and ultimately winning first place,” Masood said.

The Association for Information Systems (AIS), founded in 1994, is a professional organization whose purpose is to serve as the premier global organization for academics, students, and professionals specializing in Information Systems. The association supports undergraduate and graduate students through the formation and support of student chapters.

Background Information

Carnegie Mellon University Qatar

For more than a century, Carnegie Mellon University has challenged the curious and passionate to imagine and deliver work that matters. A private, top-ranked and global university, Carnegie Mellon sets its own course with programs that inspire creativity and collaboration.

In 2004, Carnegie Mellon and Qatar Foundation began a partnership to deliver select programs that will contribute to the long-term development of Qatar. Today, Carnegie Mellon Qatar offers undergraduate programs in biological sciences, business administration, computational biology, computer science, and information systems. Nearly 400 students from 38 countries call Carnegie Mellon Qatar home.