School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

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I believe in Georgia Tech, in the people, and in the program. The school helped me when I needed it most,” said Aleksander Szlam, founder,

chairman, and chief executive officer of Melita International. “We want to help the people, especially young people.” 

Mr. Szlam and his wife Halina have made a significant contribution to ECE. Their initial gift is in support of student aid and laboratory upgrades, two of ECE’s areas of focus during the Capital Campaign.

Mr. Szlam entered Georgia Tech in 1970, as a 19-year-old recent immigrant from Poland. Prior to coming to Georgia Tech, he attended the Electro-Mechanical Institute of Technology (a five-year high

school) in Wroclaw, Poland, and took two English courses at Georgia State University.

Most of Mr. Szlam’s early classes at Georgia Tech were in math and physics. “These helped me learn the English language,” he said.

Later, he met F. Kenneth Hurd and Demetrius T. Paris, co-authors

of Basic Electromagnetic Theory, and J. Alvin Connelly, who drilled electronics into his students. “It was really intense and challenging–I loved the school and the support from the educators,” said

Mr. Szlam earned both the BSEE and the MSEE degrees at Georgia Tech. 

With his area of emphasis being digital signal processing, Mr. Szlam worked closely under Ronald W. Schafer and Thomas P.

Barnwell, III.

“It was a good experience, and when I walk through the School, all of the memories come back. I want to help provide similar opportunities for others. My children are being brought up to be concerned for other people and to help others whenever possible. I really believe in this concept,” said Szlam.

Melita International, the company Szlam started, is a leading provider of integrated customer interaction and intelligent call management systems that enable businesses to automate their call center activities, enhance telephony-based customer commerce, and provide a superior level of customer care. Melita’s worldwide customers include leading organizations in the financial services, retail, media, communications, and service bureau industries.

Melita began operations in 1983, and it issued its initial public offering (NASDAQ: MELI) in June 1997. For the 12 months ending December 31, 1997, Melita reported a total revenue of $65.8 million. But, Melita International’s success is not measured in revenue alone. 

This company embodies the triumph of the human mind and spirit as exhibited by Aleksander and Halina Szlam.