PITTSBURGH (Feb. 3, 2020) — Bopaya Bidanda, PhD, Ernest Roth
Professor and Department Chair of Industrial Engineering at the University of
Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, has been elected president of the
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), the largest professional
society dedicated to industrial engineering.
“IISE serves those who solve the complex and critical
problems of the world, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to lead our
profession and increase our visibility and scope,” says Bidanda. “Industrial
engineering is the broadest of all the engineering fields, because it can be
applied anywhere. Part of my plan as IISE president is to accelerate the IISE’s
strategic initiatives and to help industrial and system engineering become the
engineering discipline of choice for high school seniors.”
New officers are elected by IISE professional members and
serve for three years, with terms beginning on April 1. Bidanda is one of three
seats filled in the annual election; he is joined by Ronald Askin, PhD, (Arizona
State University) as senior vice president of publications and Rohan
Shirwaiker, PhD, (North Carolina State University) as senior vice president of
operations.
In addition to his roles as chair and professor, Bidanda
serves as director of the Manufacturing Assistance Center and Center for
Industry Studies at Pitt. He has been an IISE Fellow since 2002 and won the
IISE’s Albert G. Holzman Distinguished Educator Award in 2013. Additionally, he was honored with the 2012
John Imhoff Award for Global Excellence in Industrial Engineering given by the
American Society for Engineering Education and the International Federation of
Engineering Education Societies (IFEES) 2012 Award for Global Excellence in
Engineering Education. In 2006, he served as President of the Council of IE
Academic Department Heads (CIEADH).
“Bopaya’s election as
president is a testament to his leadership in the field of industrial
engineering,” says James R. Martin, U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering. “I’m proud that
our faculty members actively pursue opportunities to advance a vital and evolving
field, and inspire the next generation of engineers who will shape our world.”
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About IISE
The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers is the
world’s largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the
industrial engineering profession and individuals involved with improving
quality and productivity. Founded in 1948, IISE is an international, nonprofit
association that provides knowledge, training, networking opportunities and
recognition to enhance the skills and effectiveness of its members, customers
and the profession. Visit IISE at www.iise.org.
Maggie Pavlick, 2/3/2020
Contact: Maggie Pavlick