Arun Rai and Bala Ramesh Receive Prestigious Alumni Awards from Their Alma Maters

ATLANTA — Professors Arun Rai and Balasubramaniam (Bala) Ramesh, longtime colleagues and leaders in the Department of Computer Information Systems at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, have each received the highest alumni honors from their alma maters. Their parallel recognitions highlight decades of distinguished scholarship, academic leadership, and deep commitment to Georgia State University and the global information systems community.

Arun Rai, Distinguished Alumnus Award, Birla Institute of Technology And Science, Pilani

The Birla Institute of Technology And Science (BITS), Pilani has awarded Arun Rai its 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to information systems, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence. He earned a Master of Science and Technology from BITS Pilani in 1985.

Rai is a Regents’ Professor of the University System of Georgia and holds the Howard S. Starks Distinguished Chair. He co-founded and directs the Center for Digital Innovation, which advances digital transformation through collaboration between academia and industry.

His pioneering research demonstrates how to leverage digital innovation and AI to amplify human potential while proactively managing risk in organizations and society. These insights have driven critical initiatives to transform organizations and supply chains, alongside societal solutions to alleviate poverty, mitigate health disparities, and promote responsible AI.

Rai has received the most prestigious honors in business and information systems, including being named to AACSB International’s Class of 2024 Influential Leaders for research impact, receiving the AIS LEO Award for Lifetime Exceptional Achievement (2019), the AIS Impact Award (2022), and the INFORMS ISS Practical Impact Award (2024). He is a Distinguished Fellow of INFORMS ISS (2014), an AIS Fellow (2010), and a past editor-in-chief of MIS Quarterly (2016-2020), a premier journal in information systems.

Bala Ramesh, Distinguished Alumnus Award, Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta

The Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIMC) has presented its 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award to Balasubramanian (Bala) Ramesh in recognition of his impact across research, education, and practice. IIMC has over 45,000 alumni; fewer than 80 have received the Distinguished Alumnus Award since the institute’s founding in 1961. Ramesh earned a PGDM (MBA equivalent) from IIMC in 1983.

Ramesh is a Regents’ Professor of the University System of Georgia, holds the George E. Smith Eminent Scholar’s Chair, and is chair of the Department of Computer Information Systems, which is consistently ranked among the nation’s top-10 graduate and undergraduate programs.

His work pioneers AI-enabled approaches to supporting knowledge-intensive processes in complex organizational settings. His research also spans digital innovation, requirements engineering traceability, agile software development, and responsible AI. His traceability models are embedded in several major research and commercial tools including product lifecycle management platforms used by thousands of organizations worldwide in domains including aerospace, systems engineering, manufacturing, and museums.

Ramesh is among the top 1.2 percent of researchers in information systems based on career impact with more than 120 refereed publications. His numerous recognitions include the AIS Impact Award (2023) and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award (2009).

“These dual honors for Arun Rai and Bala Ramesh carry special meaning for the Robinson College,” said Dean Richard Phillips. “As longtime colleagues, collaborators, and leaders, they have helped shape Georgia State’s worldwide stature in information systems research, education, and innovation, and their careers demonstrate a shared dedication to advancing knowledge, supporting students, and increasing the university’s impact. I am proud that Arun and Bala have received this richly deserved recognition from their alma maters.”