Chapter Member newsletter

ACM Chapter Member News | March 2026

Welcome to the March 2026 edition of the ACM Chapter Member News.

Chapters are the "local neighborhoods" of ACM. Our Professional and Student chapters worldwide serve as nodes of activity for ACM members and the computing community at large, offering seminars, lectures, and the opportunity to meet peers and experts in many fields of interest. With over 1100 active chapters worldwide, we would like to take the time now to connect with all of you and bring you a few ACM Highlights.

HEADLINES AT A GLANCE:

• ACM Chapter News

• Chapter Spotlight

• Welcome to Our Newest Chapters

• Why join ACM?

 

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ACM Chapter News

Hour of Code

The Hour of Code is a global movement designed to generate excitement in young people about programming and technology. Games, tutorials, and other events are organized during Computer Science Education Week around the world. ACM would like to congratulate all the ACM chapters that took part in 2025. You can find the complete list of chapters who participated at: https://www.acm.org/chapters/students/csedweek2025

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ACM Chapter Spotlight

ACM would like to congratulate chapters for organizing the following successful events. If your chapter would like to be featured in the chapter spotlight, please email [email protected] with a description of your recent event.

Zhuhai ACM Chapter
Zhuhai, China

On October 26, 2025, Zhuhai ACM Chapter co-hosted the "Greater Bay Area Low-Altitude Economy Academic Forum" in Zhuhai, together with CCF, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Study, UESTC and Pengcheng Laboratory. With the theme of "Technological Innovation Leads the High-Quality Development of Low-Altitude Economy", the forum gathered experts, scholars from well-known universities and industry representatives from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and other provinces to discuss the technological path, innovation mechanism and collaborative mode of low-altitude economy development. The forum included keynote reports and two in-depth discussion sessions, focusing on how universities respond to the low-altitude economy wave and how to promote industry-university-research collaboration to solve development problems, and reached a number of important consensuses and suggestions. As an important academic exchange activity in the field of low-altitude economy in the Greater Bay Area, this forum effectively promoted academic exchanges and industry-university-research cooperation, and laid a solid foundation for building an innovative ecosystem of low-altitude economy in the Greater Bay Area.

SAII ACM Student Chapter
Puna, India

Between February 5th and 9th, 2026, the Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute (SAII) ACM Student Chapter co-organized a comprehensive "Pre-Summit" in alignment with the national India AI Impact Summit 2026. The initiative successfully bridged academic theory with industry practice, engaging 190 students through a multifaceted itinerary that began with an enterprise AI exposure visit to the Tech Mahindra Makers Lab. A major highlight was the multidisciplinary keynote and expert engagement series on February 7th, which explored the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence across biomedical science, marketing, and digital transformation. To cultivate a culture of responsible innovation, the summit also featured a dedicated panel discussion that critically examined the practical implications and social impact of Generative AI in business and governance. The five-day engagement culminated in an intensive AI Ideathon that challenged students to transition from theoretical understanding to applied problem-solving. During this finale, participating teams successfully demonstrated working Minimum Viable Prototypes (MVPs) designed to address pressing real-world challenges in healthcare, inclusion, sustainability, and safe AI.

Potomac ACM Chapter
Washington USA

On January 20, 2026, the Potomac ACM Chapter supported a National Honor Society (NHS) event at the International School of Qingdao, hosted by Yingyi Wei (President), featuring Professor Peter Robinson's seminar on emotional computation and its intersection with AI. Through concrete demonstrations of emotion recognition workflows (including tools such as OpenFace), the talk helped students connect AI to real-world applications in human-robot interaction, autism education, and media testing. The seminar also engaged students in a structured discussion of responsible innovation, including ethical and societal implications related to social media influence, recruitment bias, and autonomous weapons. Students left with a clearer understanding of both the social-good potential and the ethical stakes of advanced AI systems, and many were motivated to pursue deeper reading and research after the session. To broaden impact, the content and discussion prompts were shared across sister schools in China, extending access to frontier ideas in affective computing and continuing the conversation on how global citizens can apply AI for social good.

Sydney ACM SIGMOD Chapter
Sydney, Australia

At Sydney ACM SIGMOD Chapter, we organized a career event in December 2025 in Sydney, attended by over 50 chapter members, early career researchers, and PhD students, as well as researchers from other disciplines including mathematics and biology.

The event was titled "Early Career Researcher - Career Development", in conjunction with the Australasian Database Conference 2025. In the event, the following topics were discussed by panelists:

• What features will make your CV stand out?
• What are the most common mistakes job candidates make?
• How can you balance between quantity and quality, metrics and impact when it comes to your research?

Chapter Chair Wenjie Zhang moderated the discussion and panelists include computer scientists Jie Lu from University of Technology Sydney, Alan Fekete and Athman Bouguettaya from the University of Sydney, and mathematician Adelle Coster and biologist Marc Wilkins from the University of New South Wales. One of the PhD students who attended said, "it was very helpful to understand more about the job application process post-PhD".

TCE IT ACM Student Chapter
Madurai, India

LangAIthon was organized to inspire young innovators to explore literature ranging from ancient classics to contemporary works while strengthening cultural and heritage understanding through technology-driven approaches. The event encouraged creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving by focusing on developing AI and NLP-based solutions for low-resource Indian languages, such as Tamil, Malayalam, and the like. The hackathon featured six thematic tracks, including Language Understanding, Language Generation, Speech and Multimodal Applications, Knowledge and Culture Preservation, Data and Resource Development, and Cross-Disciplinary Societal Impact. The Preliminary Round was conducted online from 16 October to 6 November 2025, followed by the Final Prototype Display Round held offline on 1 December 2025. A total of 33 teams registered for the final round, from which 12 teams were shortlisted for final presentations. The top six teams were awarded prize shields, certificates and cash prizes sponsored by ACM India.

Islamabad ACM Chapter
Topi, Pakistan

The 2025 ICPC Asia Topi Regional Onsite Contest took place on January 31st and February 1st, 2026, building on a rigorous Online Preliminary Round held November 22nd-23rd, 2025. Hosted as a multi-site event across GIK Institute (Topi), IBA Karachi, and PUCIT Lahore, it drew 87 teams-261 contestants total-from Pakistan's top universities. The competition showcased exceptional academic talent and strict adherence to ICPC standards, reinforcing Pakistan's growing footprint in global competitive programming. FAST NUCES Karachi, mentored by Dr. Muhammad Rafi, claimed victory after an intense onsite battle. This milestone event not only celebrated technical skill but also strengthened regional collaboration and youth engagement in algorithmic problem-solving.

RPI ACM-W Student Chapter
New York, USA

On February 14th, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ACM-W Chapter led 8, 30-minute workshops for nearly 250 students in grades 3 - 6 from the Troy, NY area. Our activity, Binary Bracelets, allowed us to introduce young students to the foundations of computer science. We explored binary code and abstraction by helping them translate their names and messages into sequences of 0s and 1s, which they then turned into wearable art. It was a great way to show how technical concepts act as the "hidden" language behind the platforms they use every day. Service is a pillar of our chapter and engaging with our neighbors in Troy is one of the most rewarding ways we give back. By demystifying technical concepts early on, we hope to inspire a new generation of problem solvers to see themselves as future leaders in STEM.

GAT ACM Student Chapter
Bengaluru, India

Hack-A-League 4.0 was a 24-hour national-level hackathon conducted at Global Academy of Technology in association with the GAT ACM Student Chapter. The event attracted over 557 participants from multiple states across India, making it the largest hackathon ever hosted at our institution. Participants collaborated intensively to develop innovative solutions to real-world problem statements within a 24-hour coding sprint. The hackathon featured dedicated mentoring, industry evaluation, and competitive pitching sessions. A total cash prize pool of 1,00,000 INR was awarded to the top-performing teams, adding to the competitive spirit of the event. Hack-A-League 4.0 stands as a milestone achievement for our chapter, promoting technical excellence, innovation, and collaboration on a national platform.

RCET UET ACM Student Chapter
Gujranwala, Pakistan

The RCET UET ACM Student Chapter successfully organized an Hour of AI session under CSEd Week, focusing on the theme AI for Oceans. The event raised awareness about how artificial intelligence can help protect marine ecosystems, monitor ocean health, and promote sustainability. Students explored real-world AI applications in ocean conservation, leading to meaningful discussions on technology for social good. The session witnessed strong participation, curiosity, and engagement from attendees. Overall, the event reflected the chapter's commitment to ethical AI education and using technology for a sustainable future.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County ACM Student Chapter
Baltimore, MA

The UMBC ACM Student Chapter hosted an ACM Distinguished Speaker Talk featuring Prof. Ram Sriram, Chief of the Software & Systems Division at NIST, on February 6, 2026, in ITE 325b. In his talk, 'Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Manufacturing: An Overview,' Prof. Sriram presented a clear and insightful overview of the evolution of AI, from early knowledge-based systems to modern machine learning and emerging hybrid approaches that combine neural networks with structured knowledge. The presentation effectively connected foundational AI concepts with real-world manufacturing applications, offering both technical depth and practical relevance for a diverse academic audience. Prof. Sriram's engaging and approachable delivery fostered strong audience participation, leading to a lively Q&A session with thoughtful discussion and meaningful exchanges. Attendees responded very positively, noting both the clarity of the technical content and the speaker's ability to make complex ideas accessible.

Overall, the talk was highly successful and provided valuable learning and communication opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty alike.

PSG iTech ACM Student Chapter
Coimbatore, India

The PSG iTech ACM Student Chapter, in association with the Department of AI&DS, organized an awareness event titled "Your Data, Your Privacy: Understanding Digital Footprints and Privacy" on 31 January 2026. In today's highly connected world, every digital interaction leaves a footprint, and apps often collect personal, behavioral, and location data frequently without users realising its impact. The session highlighted how personal data is harvested and used, emphasizing the growing need for digital awareness and responsible online behavior. With over 850 participants, the event successfully encouraged students to understand how their data is used and how to keep it safe

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Welcome to Our Newest Chapters

• Amity University Dubai ACM Student Chapter - Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Student)
• Beirut Arab University ACM Student Chapter - Beirut, Lebanon (Student)
• Bluffdale ACM Chapter - Bluffdale, USA (Professional)
• Brainware ACM Student Chapter - Kolkata, India (Student)
• BVRIT ACM Student Chapter - Narsapur, India (Student)
• Charlotte ACM Chapter - Charlotte, USA (Professional)
• CVR ACM Student Chapter - Hyderabad, India (Student)
• Cyprus ACM SIGCHI Chapter - Nicosia, Cyprus (Professional)
• Dnyaan Prasad Global University ACM Student Chapter - Pune, India (Student)
• ENISo ACM Student Chapter - Sousse, Tunisia (Student)
• GITAM Hyderabad ACM Student Chapter - Hyderabad, India (Student)
• GNIT Kolkata ACM Student Chapter - Kolkata, India (Student)
• Health Informatics Knowledge Management ACM Chapter - Ballarat, Australia (Professional)
• IIIT Pune ACM Student Chapter - Pune, India (Student)
• IIST ACM-W Student Chapter - Indore, India (Student)
• IISU ACM-W Student Chapter - Jaipur, India (Student)
• Indore ACM-W Chapter - Indore, India (Professional)
• Irving ACM Chapter - Irving, USA (Professional)
• IU ACM Student Chapter - Karachi, Pakistan (Student)
• JECRC Foundation Jaipur ACM-W Student Chapter - Jaipur, India (Student)
• JIS University ACM Student Chapter - Kolkata, India (Student)
• Lahore ACM Chapter - Lahore, Pakistan (Professional)
• Lahore Garrison University ACM Student Chapter - Lahore, Pakistan (Student)
• Lima ACM-W Chapter - Lima, Peru (Professional)
• London ACM SIGCHI Chapter - London, United Kingdom (Professional)
• Mahindra University ACM Student Chapter - Hyderabad, India (Student)
• MCBS ACM Student Chapter - Muscat, Oman (Student)
• Melbourne ACM SIGACCESS Chapter - Brisbane, Australia (Professional)
• Mody University ACM-W Student Chapter - Sikar, India (Student)
• NC State ACM Student Chapter - Raleigh, USA (Student)
• NIT Jalandhar ACM Student Chapter - Jalandhar, India (Student)
• NJCU ACM Student Chapter - Jersey City, USA (Student)
• NMIET ACM Student Chapter - Pune, India (Student)
• NUML RWP ACM Student Chapter - Rawalpindi, Pakistan (Student)
• Ohio Northern University ACM-W Student Chapter - Ada, USA (Student)
• Poornima University ACM Student Chapter - Jaipur, India (Student)
• PSNACET ACM Student Chapter - Dindigul, India (Student)
• Rajkot ACM Chapter - Rajkot, India (Professional)
• Rayat Bahra University ACM Student Chapter - Mohali, India (Student)
• RIT ACM Student Chapter - Chennai, India (Student)
• SAII ACM Student Chapter - Pune, India (Student)
• Seattle ACM Chapter - Lynnwood, USA (Professional)
• SEC ACM Student Chapter - Chennai, India (Student)
• Shivalik College ACM Student Chapter - Dehradun, India (Student)
• SIT ACM Student Chapter - Tumakuru, India (Student)
• SNGCE ACM Student Chapter - Kochi, India (Student)
• SOA ACM Student Chapter - Bhubaneswar, India (Student)
• SPPU ACM Student Chapter - Pune, India (Student)
• SRIT ACM Student Chapter - Coimbatore, India (Student)
• SUNY Plattsburgh ACM Student Chapter - Plattsburgh, USA (Student)
• SVIT ACM Student Chapter - Vasad, India (Student)
• TSEC ACM Student Chapter - Mumbai, India (Student)
• Turin ACM-W Chapter - Turin, Italy (Professional)
• UBB ACM-W Student Chapter - Cluj-Napoca, Romania (Student)
• Univ of Wisconsin-Whitewater ACM Student Chapter - Whitewater, USA (Student)
• University of Crete ACM Student Chapter - Heraklion, Greece (Student)
• University of Michigan-Flint ACM Student Chapter - Flint, USA (Student)
• University of Southampton ACM-W Student Chapter - Southampton, United Kingdom (Student)
• UPIITA–IPN ACM Student Chapter - Ciudad de México, Mexico (Student)
• UTAS Sur Oman ACM Student Chapter - Sur, Oman (Student)

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ACM Conference Discounts

You can find discounts for Special Interest Group (SIG) Conference registration fees plus access to more than 170 international conferences, symposia, and workshops at: https://dl.acm.org/conferences.

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Why join ACM?

Not an ACM Member yet? Whether you are a student or a professional, ACM has great benefits to offer you. Read all about ACM's many benefits and membership options.

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Chapter and Chapter Member Benefits

Be sure to take advantage of the benefits ACM Chapters and ACM Chapter Members receive.

Read up on Professional Chapter Benefits and Resources, Professional Chapter Member Benefits,  Student Chapter Benefits and Resources, and Student Chapter Member Benefits.