From Retrospection to Prospection: 50 Years of COMPSAC and the Road Ahead

Sorel Reisman

Keynote: As COMPSAC marks its 50th anniversary, I’m honored to reflect on the conference’s legacy and its role in shaping global computing and education. Drawing from my decades of involvement with computer technology and open learning initiatives, I’ll explore how looking back helps us better navigate what lies ahead. I’ll share insights on the evolution of software, systems, and pedagogy, and offer a forward-looking perspective on the challenges and opportunities that await us. My goal is to inspire a renewed commitment to ethical innovation, inclusive collaboration, and lifelong learning as we chart the next chapter of COMPSAC’s journey.
 

Bio: Sorel Reisman is Professor Emeritus of Information Systems at California State University, Fullerton, and a globally respected figure in computing, education, and digital transformation. He served as Managing Director of MERLOT, a collaborative consortium advancing open educational resources, and held influential technical and executive roles at IBM, Toshiba, and EMI, where he directed software engineering and strategic planning.

Reisman is an IEEE Life Fellow, recognized for his enduring impact on the computing profession, and a Fulbright Specialist and Honorary Member of the Information Processing Society of Japan (IPSJ), honoring his international leadership in technology and learning. As President of the IEEE Computer Society, he helped guide its organizational vision and broaden its professional outreach.

His extensive IEEE involvement includes service on many IEEE committees and boards, including the Publications Services and Products Board (PSPB), Technical Activities Board (TAB), and Education Activities Board (EAB). He also served as Vice President of the Computer Society’s Publications Board and Electronic Products and Services Board, contributing to editorial strategy and digital innovation. Reisman has served on the editorial boards of IEEE Software, IEEE MultiMedia, and IT Professional, where he authored long-running columns on computing and pedagogy. Reisman served as the Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE eLearning Library. He currently chairs the IT Professional Advisory Committee and co-edits Computer magazine’s Education column.  He is the recipient of the Richard E. Merwin Award for Distinguished Service, the Computer Society’s highest level volunteer service award.

Reisman has been pivotal in COMPSAC, the IEEE Computer Society’s premier international conference, serving as Standing Committee Chair for a decade. He is also a board member of Eta Kappa Nu (HKN), the IEEE honor society, which celebrates academic excellence and ethical leadership.

He earned a BASc in Electrical Engineering, and both an MA and PhD in Computer Applications from the University of Toronto. With two books and over 125 publications, his career exemplifies a lifelong dedication to progress, accessibility, and global engagement in computing education.