Summary
Following the inaugural GCC Information Systems Symposium hosted at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), the Association for Information Systems (AIS) Council has officially chartered the AIS GCC Chapter across all six Gulf Cooperation Council states. The new chapter provides a shared regional platform to advance digital transformation and drive research excellence.
The Association for Information Systems (AIS) Council has officially approved the creation of the AIS GCC Chapter, a regional chapter that represents all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The initiative stems from the inaugural GCC Information Systems Symposium hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) in November 2025. At the symposium, participants showed overwhelming support to formalize the regional network.
CMU-Q is a Qatar Foundation partner university.
The chapter provides a unified platform to advance research excellence, foster innovation, support early-career researchers, and drive digital transformation agendas throughout the Gulf region. CMU-Q’s Nui Vatanasakdakul, teaching professor and associate area head of Information Systems, was a key organizer of the new chapter and will serve as the founding president. Teaching professor of Information Systems Chadi Aoun will serve as treasurer and director of policy.
“This is a landmark achievement for our region,” Vatanasakdakul said. “This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication, vision, and support of colleagues across the GCC who share a commitment to building a stronger, more connected, and globally engaged Information Systems community.”
Upcoming chapter events are scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
