CQU Alumnus Kumar Parakala, who graduated with an Master of Information Systems in the early 1990s, has just been elected national President of the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Mr Parakala, who is now Global Chief Operating Officer, IRM, KPMG Risk Advisory Services Pty Limited, is based in Sydney.

You can access the full ACS release about Kumar here

CQU Associate Professor in Information Systems Greg Whymark notes that, during his student days at CQU, "Kumar became renowned for being seen around town going from job to job on his little motor scooter".

One of his early jobs was setting up IT processes for Rockhampton's St Andrew's Hospital.

"He supported the then Faculty of Business in setting up local consulting activity for staff and students, and contributed to the multicultural activities of campus and students.

"I believe he also contributed to the leadership of ROSA (Rockhampton Overseas Student's Association)," Dr Whymark said.

"Since that time he has held a number of senior IT management positions, and has actively contributed to the profession and to the ACS, at one time holding the position of deputy Chair, ACS Queensland."

Dr Whymark said Mr Parakala's election as National President of the ACS is an indication of how others hold him in high regard.

"I like to think that CQU has contributed to his education and his sense of professionalism.

"What he has achieved is entirely due to his own high standards and boundless energy, but CQU should rightly feel that it contributed one of the foundations stones in his development.

"Kumar has always expressed pride in CQU, and has never failed to support his alma mater.  It was also his association with CQU that got him involved with the ACS in the first place."