Posted: September 1, 2009

UC Irvine Extension appoints director of engineering sciences and technology programs

(Nanowerk News) University of California, Irvine Extension, the continuing education arm of UC Irvine, announced the appointment of Dave Dimas, Ph.D. as the director for its engineering, sciences and technology programs. In this position, Dimas will oversee the promotion and development of current curriculum as well as evaluate the needs for additional courses and certificate programs.
“With Dimas’ tremendous background, he will be a remarkable asset in directing our programs,” said Gary Matkin, dean of continuing education at UC Irvine. “We look forward to his new ideas, which will allow our programs to further develop and grow, adding value within the business community.”
As director, Dimas will manage and direct all programs in the engineering, science and technology departments. He is also responsible for the planning and development of UC Irvine Extension’s current certificate and specialized programs. In addition, Dimas will head the creation of new programs that are required by the market and audiences within the industry.
“I am very excited about my new position and responsibilities within UC Irvine Extension,” explained Dimas. “I look forward to partnering with local business and the community to understand their needs and then creating educational programs that are accessible to the global community via online offerings, that help individuals and business enhance their competitiveness”
Prior to joining UC Irvine Extension, Dimas worked at Santa Ana, Calif.-based MSC Software. While at the simulation solutions company, he served in a number of top-level management positions including director of training services, customer support, educational sales and product documentation. In addition, he worked for Costa Mesa-based PDA Engineering as director of support and training.
Dimas received his bachelor’s degrees in biological science and mechanical engineering from UC Irvine in 1978, master’s degree in engineering mechanics in 1979, and a Ph.D. in civil engineering in 1988. Since 1985, Dimas has played an active role in the university’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering, serving as a lecturer, working closely with students and assisting with the establishment of the Engineering Alumni Advisory Council. He also works closely with the school’s undergraduates, and established a mechanical and aerospace engineering course (MAE 152), which incorporates the latest computer-aided engineering skills and enables students to test classroom knowledge with real-world applications. In addition to his dedicated work with UC Irvine students and alumni, Dimas has been instrumental in securing several large software gifts to the Samueli School ,valued cumulatively at more than $20 million. He was also honored with the university’s distinguished alumni award in 2006.
About the University of California, Irvine Extension
As the continuing education arm of UCI, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a university-level learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and community programs to support a diverse audience, from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus activities.
Source: UC Irvine Extension