UA Little Rock Professor Honored by Arkansas Academy of Computing
UA Little Rock is celebrating another milestone in computing excellence. Dr. Ahmed Abu Halimeh, chair of the Department of Computer Science, has been inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Computing.
The Arkansas Academy of Computing recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions to the advancement of computing in Arkansas through innovation, education, research, and industry leadership. The honor highlights both Halimeh’s and the university’s dedication to strengthening computing education and research across the state while expanding opportunities for students to engage in emerging technologies.
“I am deeply honored to be inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Computing,” Halimeh said. “This recognition by peers and leaders in the field represents a meaningful acknowledgment of my ongoing efforts to advance computing and education in Arkansas. More than a celebration of past accomplishments, this honor reinforces my commitment to future service to further strengthen computing education and research, support student success, and foster stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and the broader community.”
Established in 2006, the Arkansas Academy of Computing is a nonprofit organization that promotes computing in Arkansas by recognizing industry and academic leaders, supporting student scholarships, and encouraging collaboration among education, business, and government.
Halimeh earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Integrated Computing from UA Little Rock and was hired by the university in 2021 as an associate professor in the Department of Information Science, and has since become chair of the Department of Computer Science. His research expertise spans health informatics, data curation, visual analytics, and information quality.
Halimeh joins Drs. Nitin Agarwal, Maulden-Entergy Chair and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of Information Science (inducted in 2019), and Philip Huff, associate professor of cybersecurity (inducted in 2024), as one of three UA Little Rock faculty members recently inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Computing.
Before his faculty appointment, he served in roles that included program manager at Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute, focusing on data management and quality improvement in clinical research, and faculty positions abroad where he led accreditation efforts and supervised student research.
Within UA Little Rock’s Department of Computer Science, Halimeh has taken a leadership role in advancing the curriculum and research agenda, aligning with the university’s mission as a metropolitan research institution providing flexible pathways, internship opportunities, and a workforce-ready education.
The recognition not only reinforces Halimeh’s individual achievements but also underscores UA Little Rock’s growing stature in the computing and cybersecurity space in Arkansas. As the third professor to earn this honor, the milestone serves as a testament to the university’s progress and growing influence in the region’s technological ecosystem.
Halimeh emphasized the forward-looking nature of the award, focusing on what he says is “future service” — the strengthening of computing education, increasing student success, and fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and the broader community.