Hamilton - Samir Chidiac, P.Eng., professor of civil engineering, has been appointed the new director of the Walter G. Booth School of Engineering Practice at McMaster University effective September 1 for a five year term.

Prof. Chidiac will be responsible for overseeing the direction of the School and the expansion of graduate programs offered to engineering professionals. The School is home to three centres which provide interdisciplinary education and research at the Master’s level. They are the Xerox Centre for Engineering Education and Innovation, Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy, and the General Motors of Canada Centre for Engineering Design.

“The demand for engineers versed in economic and social issues has become increasingly important,” said David Wilkinson, Dean of Engineering. “Samir's background in civil engineering combined with his research work and graduate education related to sustainability makes him ideally suited for this leadership position.”

Prof. Chidiac earned his B.Eng., M.Eng. and PhD at McMaster. His research areas include rheology of fresh concrete, durability of concrete, use of post-consumer wastes in concrete and concrete products, energy efficiency of buildings, masonry, numerical methods and building science. He co-created the McMaster University Centre for Effective Design of Structures. He began his career working at the University of British Columbia and the National Research Council of Canada.