AIS SIGSAND Outstanding Contribution Award

About ASOCA

The AIS SIGSAND Outstanding Contribution Award (ASOCA) is an award established in June 2020 by the 2020 Executive Committee to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to the field of systems analysis and design, the AIS SIGSAND organization, and its community. The award recognizes contributions that are of a scientific, pedagogical, administrative and/or service nature.

ASOCA Award Winners

• ASOCA2023 – Roger Chiang (professor, University of Cincinnati)
• ASOCA2022 – Glenn Browne (professor emeritus, University of San Francisco)
• ASOCA2021 – Steven Alter (professor emeritus, University of San Francisco)
• ASOCA2020 – Dinesh Batra (professor, Florida International University)
• ASOCA2020 – Jeffrey Parsons (professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland)

Submitting a nomination

To be considered for the award, a candidate should be a member of AIS SIGSAND for at least 2 consecutive years (although exceptions are considered, such as for retirees).

Nominations for the award should be made at least 3 months prior to the annual AIS SIGSAND symposium. Self- nominations are welcomed.

To submit a nomination, please complete a Contact SIGSAND form on the website, in the reason for the contact, please select “Award nomination.” Please include the following information with the nomination:

• Your name, title, contact information, including an email address
• Name and contact information of the person you are nominating, including their email address
• 1-2 paragraphs explaining why the candidate should be considered for the award, i.e., what was the nature of this person`s contribution to SIGSAND?

Selection process

The recipient of ASOCA is chosen by the sitting Executive Committee, either from among the nominations received or from nominations from the Executive Committee.

The award will either be mailed to the recipient or given in person during the annual symposium. In addition to the award, the recipient will be honored with a dedicated page on SIGSAND.com containing a photograph, biography, and a list of research publications (selected by the awardee, if applicable).

The award may or may not come with a monetary gift. We welcome any interested parties to become financial sponsors of ASOCA.

What does ASOCA mean?

Asoca or saraca asoca or the ashoka tree is a tree belonging to the Detarioideae subfamily of the legume family.

The asoca (ashoka) tree is considered sacred throughout the Indian subcontinent, especially in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This tree has many folklorical, religious and literary associations. Highly valued as well for its handsome appearance and the color and abundance of its flowers, the asoca tree is often found in royal palace compounds and gardens as well as close to temples throughout India. It is believed Buddha was born under an asoca tree in Lumbini Garden.

Recall, the symbol of SIGSAND is a phygital tree. We now know what kind of tree it is. It is the asoca tree!