Dr. Mahmoud El-Halwagi, holder of the McFerrin Professorship in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been elected as a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). El-Halwagi will receive the official pin and plaque at the AIChE annual meeting in November.
“AIChE is the premier organization for chemical engineers, both in academia and in industry,” said El-Halwagi.
El-Halwagi has been an active member on AIChE for nearly three decades.Throughout his time in AIChE, El-Halwagi has presented papers on a consistent basis at both the spring and annual meetings and has chaired numerous sessions. He has served as division chair of computing and systems technology (CAST) and participated in committees for energy initiatives and international programs.
“I have enjoyed every bit of the collaboration and participation with AIChE," he said. "It is an organization that is very close to my heart."
El-Halwagi also serves as faculty advisor for the local AIChE student chapter.
“Our students have an advantage that I didn’t have: getting to be a member as an undergraduate student,” he said.
In addition to his local leadership role for students, El-Halwagi, who has helped establish several chapter in the Middle East, will increase his level of mentorship to locales around the world.
“I’ve been helping to establish AIChE chapters overseas because I see tremendous opportunities for professional development, learning and networking," El-Halwagi said. "I see this as being part of the responsibility of being a fellow.
"It is easy for an undergraduate to not get involved in professional activities but I think it’s very important for students to get involved in AIChE. First, the opportunities to learn, to interact, to network…are tremendous. Also, students should attend the [national] AIChE meetings where the latest developments in chemical engineering are presented and collaboration for networking takes place."
The nonprofit organization AIChE was founded in 1908.