Aamir Masood wins first place in Utah IT contest

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar student Aamir Masood has been awarded the first place in the IT Risk Management Track Competition by the Association for Information Systems (AIS). The honour came at the 2012 Student Chapter Conference and Competition recently in Provo, Utah, following an earlier virtual round. “We extend our congratulations to the students involved in this rigorous competition,” said AIS vice president of student chapters Lise Urbaczewski. The achievers were described as exemplary representatives of the highest quality of AIS Student Chapter members who have distinguished themselves as the best of the best. Masood, who graduated in May this year, was the lone entrant from CMUQ. During the competition he was asked to present a case to a hypothetical company on whether the organisation should implement an Identity and Access Management System. Masood 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 AIS, founded in 1994, is a professional organisation whose purpose is to serve as the premier global organisation for academics, students, and professionals specialising in Information Systems. The association supports undergraduate and graduate students through the formation and support of student chapters.