Dr. Michel el Hayek, Professor of Engineering and ASHRAE Scholarship Trustee, was recently appointed as the new Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) succeeding Dr. Elie Badr.
After more than 15 years abroad for studies and engineering practice, Dr. Michel El Hayek joined NDU in 1998 as Assistant Professor with areas of expertise covering heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, computational methods, energy technology, and related applications. He is currently a professor with a solid experience in teaching, and his scholarly activities are varied including writing and editing multiple publications, being a member in several PhD committees, participating in conferences in various capacities, organizing international conference among others. His record of academic services includes management (Department Chair for six years and Dean for eight years), strategic planning, curriculum development and assessment, accreditation at both institutional and programmatic levels, among others.
In light of his appointment, Dr. El Hayek stated, “The appointment as VPAA comes at a critical time. The challenges faced by the University are multiple including the economic collapse of the country and the resulting accelerated emigration of large fractions of the population, the Covid-19 pandemic, etc. We do believe, however, that we have a role to play at the service of our community, especially in times of crisis. We will manage to move forward together as a solid team in order to reach safe shores soon, God willing.”
Dr. El Hayek is a member of ASHRAE and is also currently serving as a Scholarship Trustee after multiple assumed positions at chapter, regional and society levels including Chapter President, Regional Vice Chair, Committee Chair, among others). He is also a member of ASEE and the Order of Engineers and Architects.
Dr. El Hayek strongly believes that teamwork is the prerequisite of success, and as such, he explained that his main objective would be to ensure open and direct communication channels with all the needed entities. He highlighted in a recent message to faculty that the faculty body is the heart of any university and, with the great team present at NDU, he is certain that moving forward together to overcome all kinds of difficulties is inevitable. He also described how continuity and accountability will be the driving force behind all actions undertaken by the Office of Academic Affairs.