Alliance University hosted the Thirteenth Global Information Technology Management Association (GITMA) World Conference at its Central Campus in Anekal, Bangalore. The Conference, held from 17-19 June, 2012, provided a unique opportunity for educators, researchers and practitioners to further learning and scholarship, establish academic networks, exchange new research ideas and forge partnerships in information technology, globally. More than 70 delegates from over 13 countries participated in this three-day conference on information technology management.

Dr. Madhukar Angur, Hon’ble Chancellor, Alliance University, inaugurated the Conference and in his welcome address described the importance of learning, scholarship and research in the area of information technology management, while stressing on the criticality of creating new knowledge in the domain. The city of Bangalore, Dr. Angur emphasized, was an ideal venue to host the Conference as it is today recognized as a leading global hub of information technology, with many of the largest global corporations in information technology choosing to locate and operate out of this city. Dr. Angur hoped that the Conference would enable the delegates to develop fresh insights, breakthrough research ideas and to seek out new collaborations.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jai Ganesh, Infosys Labs, Bangalore. Dr. Ganesh described the several research projects at Infosys Labs, and mentioned in particular, the creation of new social media technology tools that analyze the sentiment of web users and bloggers about companies and brands. Dr. Ganesh added that these developments help Infosys’ clients to better assess their marketing decisions.

Dr. Rahul De, HP Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore delivered the academic keynote address and called upon scholars to develop indigenous research paradigms on information technology to help solve real-world problems. He also exhorted the delegates to foster such thought leadership in information technology that looked into new research constructs, which study and understand the perplexing issues relevant to emerging economies.

GITMA Conferences have been previously held annually at venues in the US, Italy and Mexico. The Fourteenth GITMA World Conference is scheduled to be held at Malaysia in 2013.