Legacy of excellence: Honoring a UTA pioneer
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society has established an award in memory of Ramez Elmasri, an internationally renowned scholar and researcher at The University of Texas at Arlington, who passed away unexpectedly in 2022.
Elmasri, a revered professor in UTA’s Computer Science and Engineering Department and a pioneer of database research, joined UTA in 1990. His co-authored textbook, Fundamentals of Database Systems, has been a global standard in the field for over 25 years.
The IEEE Computer Society Technical Community on Data Engineering honors his legacy with the Ramez Elmasri Outstanding Database Education Award. This annual reward, which includes a $2,000 honorarium, recognizes exceptional contributions to education and learning in the data engineering and information processing field. Awarded annually, the recipient will also receive a recognition plaque.
Elmasri was widely recognized as a dedicated educator, an influential teacher and a thoughtful role model for both students and junior faculty.
“Dr. Elmasri was highly respected in the field of databases, with contributions that extended far beyond his research,” said Hong Jiang, chair and Wendell H. Nedderman Endowed Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Department at UTA. “He served as a role model for hundreds of students, and I am pleased that the IEEE Computer Society has established the Ramez Elmasri Outstanding Database Education Award to honor his legacy.”
The IEEE Computer Society is a global leader in computer science, engineering and technology, offering comprehensive resources for professional at all career stages. Its offerings include international conferences, peer-reviewed publications, a digital library, standards and training programs, empowering those who drive technological innovation.
— Written by Jeremy Agor, College of Engineering
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of approximately 41,000 students, UT Arlington is the second-largest institution in the UT System. UTA’s combination of outstanding academics and innovative research contributes to its designation as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution, a significant milestone of excellence. The University is designated as a Hispanic Serving-Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and has earned the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to accelerating Latino student success. The University ranks in the top five nationally for veterans and their families (Military Times, 2024), is No. 4 in Texas for advancing social mobility (U.S. News & World Report, 2025), and is No. 6 in the United States for its undergraduate ethnic diversity (U.S. News & World Report, 2025). UT Arlington’s approximately 270,000 alumni occupy leadership positions at many of the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas and contribute to the University’s $28.8 billion annual economic impact on Texas.