Mourad Debbabi reappointed as dean of Concordia’s Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science

Mourad Debbabi has been reappointed as dean of the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science for a second five-year term. Concordia’s Board of Governors approved the decision on June 19, 2025. His renewed mandate takes effect June 1, 2026.

An internationally recognized expert in cybersecurity, cyberforensics and critical infrastructure protection, Debbabi has helped transform the school since becoming dean in June 2021, following a year as interim dean.

Over the past five years, his leadership has propelled the school’s growth and sharpened its focus on innovation, research, teaching excellence and equity.

“Dean Debbabi’s leadership has had a lasting impact on the Gina Cody School,” says Anne Whitelaw, provost and vice-president, academic.

“He has advanced academic excellence, innovation and growth while building a strong culture of inclusivity and collaboration. The school’s reputation as a leader in engineering and computer science education and research has been firmly established, and it is well-positioned to build on this momentum and make even greater contributions to society.”

Advancing academic, research and institutional excellence

The following are some of the most significant accomplishments during Debbabi’s first term:

• The school secured full accreditation from the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board for all its undergraduate programs for the maximum period (six years).
• Enrolment grew by more than 55 per cent, from 8,079 students in 2020 to 12,577 in 2025.
• Eight new academic programs were launched or proposed.
• External research funding increased by 85 per cent, thanks to strong partnerships with industrial and governmental partners.
• The school rose in international rankings, including:
  • First in civil engineering in Canada and 38th worldwide (2024 ShanghaiRanking)
  • Third in mechanical engineering in Canada, 76th–100th worldwide (2024 ShanghaiRanking)
  • First in software engineering in Canada, third in North America and eighth worldwide (CSRankings)
• The Gina Cody School made significant strides in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI); the proportion of women in the school’s student population has risen to 27 per cent, supported by multiple initiatives to foster inclusive excellence in learning, research and outreach.
• The school strengthened its teaching and research capacity by hiring 47 new faculty members. It also introduced the Learning Hub, peer support initiatives and enhanced advising and student services to create a more engaging and supportive academic environment.

Debbabi’s forward-thinking approach has led to the following institutional milestones:

• Concordia invested more than $95 million under his leadership in infrastructure. The university created or renovated 220,000 square feet of labs, classrooms and collaborative spaces to support its growing student population and research activities.
• In 2023, Concordia launched Volt-Age, a seven-year, $200-million Canada First Research Excellence Fund program on electrification, following an application in which Debbabi and a core team played an important role.
• The multidisciplinary Applied AI Institute was launched, bringing together 90 faculty and over 200 graduate students to advance applied artificial intelligence education and research.

Debbabi was also instrumental in establishing the National Cybersecurity Consortium and the Cyber Security Innovation Network, a $160-million national initiative for cybersecurity research, innovation and training.

Looking to the future

As the Gina Cody School enters its next chapter, Debbabi says he will focus on continuous curriculum innovation and renewal to attract, inspire and empower a diverse student body, while enriching the student experience at every stage.

“We’re committed to reimagining education through the ongoing renewal of our academic offerings, designed to inspire and support a dynamic and diverse student community,” he says.

“Our priority is to create a learning environment where success is accessible, meaningful and sustainable for all. Equity, diversity and inclusion will continue to guide everything we do, ensuring that every individual feels seen, heard and empowered.”

Debbabi adds that the school is expanding its research capacity and accelerating the journey from discovery to application through strong partnerships, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial initiatives.

“Over the next five years, the school aims to double its research output and funding, strengthen its innovation ecosystem and create effective pathways to real-world impact — from intellectual property licensing to startup creation.

“This is how we’ll build a school that leads with purpose and delivers impact that transforms lives, communities and the world at large.”

Discover the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science.