Long-time faculty member and current interim department head, Dr. Bimal Nepal, has been appointed head of Texas A&M University’s Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution (ETID), effective June 1, 2025.
Nepal will continue his impactful leadership of the largest department within the College of Engineering. His immediate plan is to work with his colleagues and teams to develop a strategic five-year plan with a bold vision to take the department to the next level.
“Dr. Nepal has demonstrated steady, thoughtful leadership as interim department head, earning the trust of his colleagues and guiding the engineering technology and industrial distribution department through a critical period of growth and renewal,” said Dr. Robert H. Bishop, vice chancellor and dean of Texas A&M Engineering. “His experience, academic distinction, and deep understanding of the department’s unique strengths position him to lead ETID to new heights.”
Steady Stewardship
Since assuming the role of interim department head in December 2023, Nepal has overseen a period of sustained progress within ETID. Key achievements under his leadership include preparation for Academic Program Review and ABET accreditation visits, major upgrades to teaching laboratories, expansion of instructional space and the hiring of new faculty and staff to meet the demands of the department's five undergraduate programs, two minors and three graduate programs. He has also enhanced engagement with industry stakeholders and ETID’s vast global network of former students.
Nepal’s leadership philosophy is based on three principles: transparent and proactive leadership, a service-oriented mindset, and shared vision and governance. “In my time as interim department head, I have embodied these principles,” states Nepal. “Depending upon the issue at hand, I discuss with my leadership team (including relevant faculty and/or staff as the case may be) and gather their input and perspective before making any decisions, especially those that have long-term impacts on faculty, staff and students.”
Career of Impact
Nepal’s research spans data-driven applications in supply chain management, manufacturing systems, distribution analytics, transportation and routing optimization, and engineering education. He has published more than 135 peer-reviewed articles and has earned recognition for his research from numerous professional societies and academic institutions.
In 2020, he was named a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Management, and the North American Industrial Engineering & Operations Management Society commended him with the IEOM Engineering Education Award in 2023.
Further research honors include the College of Engineering’s William Keeler Memorial Award for Outstanding Engineering Contributions, the Holleran-Bowman Faculty Fellowship and Corrie & Jim Furber ’64 Faculty Fellowship as well as multiple ETID Faculty Excellence in Research awards.
Nepal’s teaching accolades include the College of Engineering’s Excellence in Teaching Award, the Association of Former Students’ College Level Teaching Award and the College of Engineering’s Phillip’s ’66 First Year Engineering Faculty Fellowship.
Nepal has served the American Society for Engineering Management as associate editor for the Engineering Management Journal since 2012, and the society presented him with the William Doughton World Headquarters Service Award in 2020.
Path to Leadership
Nepal earned his Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Wayne State University, his Lean Product Process Development Certification from the University of Michigan, his M.E. in industrial engineering from Asian Institute of Technology and his B.E. in mechanical engineering from Malaviya National Institute of Technology.
Nepal joined ETID in 2009 and has held numerous roles in his 16 years of service to the department. His titles include Don A. Rice Professor, Radar I Professor, Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Studies, Associate Director of the Industrial Distribution program, ABET Coordinator and Interim Department Head. He has also contributed to key department and college-level committees and has been instrumental in driving interdisciplinary research and program development.
Forward Momentum
“The department is in a great place and has a very bright future,” says Nepal. “I am excited about the ETID school initiative and all the opportunities it will bring for students, faculty, staff and industry partners.”