Biography:
Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur is an engineer, educator, and academic leader with more than 35 years of experience in research and higher education. He served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo beginning in 2010, where he played a key role in strengthening the university’s reputation for academic quality and research impact.
He earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, following bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Istanbul. As a professor of mechanical engineering, Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur has been committed to advancing research and supporting hands-on learning. During his tenure, the University of Waterloo continued to build on its standing as one of Canada’s leading institutions for innovation.
Academic and Research Contributions:
Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur’s research focuses on thermo-fluids and energy engineering. He has published extensively in his field and has supervised more than 50 graduate students.
His contributions to engineering and academia have been recognized through his election as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2014 and as a Specially Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2018.
Leadership and Professional Service:
In addition to his role as President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur has held senior academic positions, including Vice-President Academic and Provost at the University of Waterloo.
He continues to contribute to international academic and research initiatives through several roles:
- Chair, Waterloo Global Science Initiative (since 2016)
- Member, Strategic Orientation Committee, Sorbonne Université (since 2014)
- Member, International Advisory Board, King Abdulaziz University (since 2017)
- Member, Board of Trustees, World Education Services (since 2020)
- Selected to serve on an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board, contributing to initiatives in AI strategy and research collaboration.
Honours and Awards:
Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur has received a number of distinctions recognizing his contributions to education and international collaboration, including:
- L’insigne de Chevalier des Palmes Académiques, awarded by the French Republic (2020)
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013)
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