Hoda ElMaraghy, an internationally renowned professor and trailblazer for female engineers, has been appointed to the rank of Distinguished University Professor.
As a recent appointee to the Order of Ontario and Canadian Academy of Engineering, Dr. ElMaraghy has been hailed for her pioneering research in manufacturing systems engineering.
Her research on flexible manufacturing has helped manufacturers around the world adapt and respond to market changes by allowing companies to produce different products with the same flexible manufacturing system.
“Dr. ElMaraghy has had a remarkable internationally recognized career with many positive impacts for industry and for students,” said Alan Wildeman, UWindsor president and vice-chancellor. “It was a privilege to bestow this honour upon her.”
ElMaraghy was formally recognized at UWindsor’s 2016 Fall Convocation on Oct. 15.
The Canada Research Chair in Manufacturing Systems and founder and director of the university’s Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Centre joins the ranks of 38 distinguished UWindsor professors, seven of whom are engineers. Senate’s Special Appointments Committee began bestowing the honour in 1986 to recognize distinguished achievements in teaching and wide national or international reputation for scholarship, creative or professional accomplishment.
“It is a great recognition and a distinctive honor of which I am very proud,” said Dr. ElMaraghy, a native of Egypt who became the first Canadian woman to earn a doctorate in mechanical engineering. “It is particularly gratifying to be recognized by distinguished colleagues and eminent international scholars.”
In 1994, UWindsor appointed ElMaraghy dean of engineering, making her the first woman in Canada to receive the title. In addition to her Canadian Academy of Engineering fellowship, ElMaraghy is a fellow of the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the International Academy for Production Engineering, as well as a senior member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.