McMaster appoints new vice-president research and international affairs

Hamilton, ON – Following an international search, Dr Mo Elbestawi has been appointed McMaster University’s next vice-president research and international affairs. His five-year appointment begins July 1, 2007.

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 research strengths.

“Many opportunities exist that will allow us to advance McMaster’s already solid research activities,” says Dr Elbestawi. “I look forward to working with all faculties in our quest to help strengthen McMaster’s reputation as Canada’s most research-intensive university.”

Dr Elbestawi has been dean of McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering since 2001. 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 PhD degree 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.