
Meet the Dean

Message from the Dean
Dr. Moncef Nehdi (PhD, P.Eng., FCAE, FEIC, FACI, FCSCE, FAAIA, FAIIA) joined the University of Guelph as Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences in September 2024 and became the inaugural Dean of the College of Engineering in July 2025.
An accomplished academic and industry leader, Dr. Nehdi previously served as Chair of Civil Engineering at McMaster University, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Western University, and Technical Manager across three companies. An award-winning researcher and educator, he is internationally recognized for pioneering advances in sustainable civil engineering, spanning low-carbon cement and concrete, sustainable construction, and AI-enabled materials and structural systems. Author of 500+ publications, he has been ranked among the world’s most impactful civil engineers by Elsevier and Shanghai Ranking.
Deeply committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization, Dr. Nehdi has strengthened the representation of women in engineering, championed the braiding of Indigenous knowledge into curriculum and research, and advanced comprehensive EDI&I initiatives.
He holds a B.A.Sc. from Laval University, an M.A.Sc. from the University of Sherbrooke, and a PhD from the University of British Columbia, all in civil engineering. He is a Fellow of multiple national and international engineering academies and the recipient of numerous prestigious honours.

“Welcome to the College of Engineering at the University of Guelph. Here we educate interdisciplinary, entrepreneurial, and ethical engineers to tackle humanity’s grand challenges. Our College fosters a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive environment where excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurship thrive. Our world-class faculty, dedicated staff, and ambitious students advance groundbreaking research, exceptional teaching, and meaningful service. The future of Engineering at Guelph is bold, and it’s just getting started.”
