Vardi wins computing machinery award

By Sarah Mitchell     8/21/08 7:00pm

Computational Engineering Professor Moshe Vardi received the Association for Computing Machinery Presidential Award June 21, in recognition of his contributions both to the field and the association. Vardi, the director of the Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, led the ACM Job Migration Task Force, which studied the phenomenon of offshoring and its effects on the U.S. job market. In 2006, the task force published its report, "Globalization and Offshoring of Software." The study concluded that while offshoring is a major phenomenon, the computer technology industry is still growing and thriving in the U.S. and will continue to do so, as long as an effort is made to keep up with global trends and to continue to be innovative in a global setting.

Additionally, the award also recognizes Vardi's contribution to the ACM's flagship publication Communications of the ACM.

"I lead an effort to revitalize the flagship publication of the organization," Vardi said. "The magazine is 50 years old and in the last few years, it went downhill. For the last three years, I've been reviving it."

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Vardi serves as the magazine's editor in chief. Last July, Vardi oversaw the first issue of the revamped publication. Vardi said he appreciates being recognized for his efforts and for his work.

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