Elbestawi appointed as vice-president Research and International Affairs

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June 14, 2007

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Elbestawi-07.jpg” caption=”Dr. Mohamed Elbestawi will begin his new role as vice-president Research and International Affairs on July 1. File photo.”]Following an international search, Mo Elbestawi has been appointed McMaster University's next vice-president Research and International Affairs. His five-year appointment begins July 1, 2007.

“Dr. Elbestawi is a distinguished scholar, administrator, teacher, leader and innovator,” says President Peter George. “As vice-president, he will be responsible for research activities across the University and for the aggressive pursuit of new partnerships designed to capitalize on McMaster's significant research strengths. He is a champion for university/industry partnerships and has the experience and knowledge necessary to move McMaster's research enterprise forward.”

Elbestawi says he is honoured to be appointed. “Many opportunities exist that will allow us to advance McMaster's already solid research activities,” he says. “I look forward to working with all Faculties in our quest to help strengthen McMaster's reputation as Canada's most research-intensive university.”

Elbestawi was dean of McMaster's Faculty of Engineering since 2001. During his tenure at McMaster, he has contributed significantly towards the development of manufacturing engineering research. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute and was appointed its first director in 2000. He is known world-wide for his research in the area of manufacturing engineering, specifically machine tools, metal cutting, and computer-aided manufacturing.

After completing his B.Sc. at Alexandria University and his M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering at McMaster, he worked for several years in industrial research and development. He joined McMaster in 1986 as an associate professor before being appointed chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and director and founder of the Intelligent Machines and Manufacturing Research Centre.
He has published more than 200 manuscripts and has supervised at least 75 master and doctoral students.

In addition, Elbestawi is a fellow of many prestigious organizations, including the Canadian Academy of Engineering, International Academy for Production Engineering, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering as well as a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Professional Engineers of Ontario.

He was twice given a teaching award from the McMaster Students Union for Teaching Excellence, and received a Synergy Award for Innovation in 2003 and the Hamilton Spectator Publishers Award for Education in 2004.