“I see great things in the future for our department. We have an amazing group of faculty and a growing corporate and alumni network that will enable us to take our programs to the next level. Our undergraduate programs in Information Systems and Business Analytics will continue to meet the increasing industry demand for our graduates.”

Dr. Uzma Raja has been appointed Chair of the Department of Systems and Technology at the Harbert College. Raja comes to Auburn University after working for 14 years as professor and Associate Department Head of Information Systems at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business.

“What’s fantastic about the team at Harbert College is the positive energy and the willingness to adapt to changing environment,” said Raja, also the Gayle Parks Forehand Endowed Professor in Business Analytics.

“I believe in putting together a team and creating opportunities for everyone so that they feel belonged. My vision for the department is to showcase our academic programs and students at both the national and international level. The disciplines of Information Systems and Business Analytics are at the front and center of the modern economy and the demand for our graduates will continue to soar. We have the unique opportunity with these two complimentary areas to equip our students with the tools and techniques that are rigorous and relevant to solve the challenges of our times.”

“I see great things in the future for our department. We have an amazing group of faculty and a growing corporate and alumni network that will enable us to take our programs to the next level. Our undergraduate programs in Information Systems and Business Analytics will continue to meet the increasing industry demand for our graduates. Our established and successful online masters’ program in Information Systems fulfils the increased need for distance learning at the graduate level and finally our doctoral program provides us the opportunity to enhance the research profile of the college.”

Raja, who worked as a systems engineer dealing with complex information systems prior to academia, is passionate about data-driven research. Her research interests relate to information systems evolution, healthcare systems and e-commerce. Her publications have appeared in journals such as Decision Sciences, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, European Journal on Information Systems, Information Technology and Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, International Journal of Logistics Management and Journal of Health Information Management Systems.

“Our students will be prepared to make an immediate difference upon graduation by employing the technical and soft skills they develop at Harbert. We will produce students who are well-rounded: with strong technical skills and the ability to work with others to provide impactful solutions.”

“How can we improve our decision-making processes, our lives, and the world that we live in using technology and data?” she asked. “My research and teaching revolve around technology and data enabled decision making. I examine the opportunities and challenges of technology enabled solutions in areas such as healthcare, e-commerce and product development.”

Whereas research has the ability to impact business decision-making, Raja believes that instruction at the Harbert College has the greatest potential to impact who might be making key business decisions within industry for years to come.

“We believe in a holistic approach towards education,” said Raja. “We plan on working closely with our corporate partners and incorporate real world problems in our classroom experiences. Our students will be prepared to make an immediate difference upon graduation by employing the technical and soft skills they develop at Harbert. We will produce students who are well-rounded: with strong technical skills and the ability to work with others to provide impactful solutions.”

For more about the Department of Systems and Technology at the Harbert College of Business, visit https://harbert.auburn.edu/academics/departments/department-of-systems-and-technology/index.php