Google vice-president Andrew W Moore has been selected as the new dean of the School of Computer Science (SCS) at Carnegie Mellon University, which has a branch campus in Qatar, with effect from August.

Moore, a distinguished computer scientist with expertise in machine learning and robotics, served as a professor of computer science and robotics at Carnegie Mellon before being named founding director of Google’s Pittsburgh engineering office in 2006.

“Ever since college, I have been inspired by the world-changing ideas and technologies that come out of CMU. I’m privileged to return to the School of Computer Science in this new role,” said Moore. 

Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google Inc, a former member of the CMU board of trustees and the keynote speaker at CMU president Subra Suresh’s inauguration, noted: “Some of Google’s strongest talent has come out of CMU, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the university. I know Andrew will help inspire the next generation of innovators.”

Moore will take office as the fifth dean, succeeding Randal E Bryant, who visited the Qatar campus in 2012 as a speaker in the A Nico Habermann Distinguished Lecture Series in Computer Science.

As one of five programmes offered at Carnegie Mellon Qatar, the Computer Science programme has grown significantly since its inception in 2004. Graduates move on to work in emerging fields, including language technology, computational biology, human-computer interaction and robotics, for organisations such as Google, Microsoft, Ooredoo, Qatar Computing Research Institute, Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Shell.

Ilker Baybars, dean of Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, said: “A hallmark of Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science is the exceptional relationship its faculty and researchers have built with industry. As a former Google vice-president, Andrew Moore will strengthen those ties, affording tremendous opportunities for computer science students in Doha as well as Pittsburgh. We look forward to welcoming Dr Moore to the Qatar campus soon.”

Moore’s appointment adds further momentum to Suresh’s initiatives aimed at enhancing CMU’s world-renowned research, its innovative and entrepreneurial culture, and expanding interactions with industry and government.

“Andrew Moore combines an expansive vision, scientific expertise and leadership strength that make him extraordinarily well-suited to be dean of the School of Computer Science,” Suresh said.

 

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