Engineering school dean to step down after overseeing years of improvement

The dean of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science will step down in January, after more than 12 years of service.

During his tenure as dean, Vijay Dhir increased the number of academic scholarships available from about five to 130, recruited new faculty, improved the school ranking and built Engineering buildings V and VI.

“We accomplished what we set out to do,” Dhir said. “We have brought the engineering school to a higher level than ever before.”

After UCLA officials conducted a two-year-long search for a dean, Dhir assumed the position in 2003. During their search, the engineering school spent less per student, increased enrollment and fell in rankings.

Dhir said he focused on improving facilities and programs available for students and faculty to solve these problems.

Jane Chang, associate dean for research and physical resources of the engineering school, said she was surprised he approved her plan to invest in a proposal to build Engineering V and VI and renovate Boelter Hall. She added she respected the dean for his foresight and planning.

“I remember walking into a meeting with the dean knowing we’re requesting tens of thousands of dollars,” Chang said. “He said we can use the same floor plan and execute in piecemeal, and it will be successful over time.”

Dhir was also instrumental in making UCLA the first UC to establish online engineering master’s programs in 2007, said Jenn-Ming Yang, associate dean of international initiatives and online programs.

Yang added the program is very highly ranked today and has expanded to include more than 10 degrees and students from the U.S., Canada and other parts of the world.

Chang said Dhir has also been very supportive of female faculty in the engineering department. When Chang was unable to find child care for her daughter about 10 years ago, she went to Dhir for help.

“I told him I can’t balance work and (family) life if I don’t have support,” she said.

Less than a year later, Chang said she had access to campus child care facilities after Dhir spoke to its officials.

Chand Viswanathan, a professor emeritus in electrical engineering, said Dhir always consulted the engineering faculty about new departmental chairs and advisory committees. Viswanathan said he thinks Dhir is the school’s most competent dean thus far.

“I have been a member of this faculty for 49 years,” Viswanathan said. “In my opinion, he is the best dean we’ve ever had.”

Dhir said he has fulfilled his plans for the school as dean, and encourages his successor, Jayathi Murthy, to continue to improve the school. Dhir added he plans to serve as a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and focus on his research in energy transformation and heat transfer.