Associate Professors Matthias Ehrgott and Xun Xu from the Faculty of Engineering have been promoted to professor.

Promotion to professor is a mark of distinction, recognising professional and academic eminence at an international level.

The University of Auckland promoted twelve new professors this year, the other ten are from Faculties of Arts, Medical and Health Sciences, and Science.

Professor Matthias Ehrgott
Department of Engineering Science

Professor Ehrgott is an authority in operations research where the likes of mathematics, computer science and management intersect. He specialises in modelling and solving multiple criteria decision-making problems. His research spans the spectrum from theory across algorithm development to real world application and implementation, for example in transportation and medicine. Professor Ehrgott has established himself as a leading contributor to the field internationally and his book on multicriteria optimisation is used as a reference and in teaching around the world.

Professor Xun Xu
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Professor Xu specialises in computer-aided design and manufacturing. His research team is at the international forefront in working to develop the next generation computer numerical control (CNC) systems that are more intelligent, interoperable and adaptable. Professor Xu leads the Faculty of Engineering’s “Innovation in Manufacturing and Materials” research theme. He is one of only two New Zealanders elected as a Fellow of the prestigious American Society of Mechanical Engineers.