Bal named chair of Engineering Technology at Miami University Regionals

Written by Perry Richardson, Regionals External Relations & Communications

Dr. Mert Bal has been named chair of the Department of Engineering Technology at Miami University Regionals, where he has taught since 2010. He will assume the role on July 1.

Bal previously served as associate professor and coordinator of the electro-mechanical engineering technology program, which includes an enrollment of more than 100 students and entails working with 12 distance-learning partner institutions across the state, according to Dr. Cathy Bishop-Clark, dean of Miami University Regionals.

“Mert also played a key role in securing significant external funding to help improve ENT laboratory equipment, and he has been instrumental in expanding the departmental curriculum to increase the focus on high-demand areas such as robotics engineering technology and advanced manufacturing,” Bishop-Clark said.

She thanked Dr. Ayodele Abatan, current chair, for his invaluable service in leading the department the past 14 years.

“Under Ayo’s leadership, the department started the BS program in electrical and computer engineering technology in 2014, and secured approval and funding to start a new BS program in robotics engineering technology in 2020. The department also maintained accreditation through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology for all of its programs during his tenure as chair,” Bishop-Clark said.

Abatan will be on sabbatical this fall and will return to the teaching faculty next spring.

“Having worked closely with Mert the past 10 years, he is most capable and ready to serve as chair,” Abatan said.

A native of Turkey, Bal was born and raised in Istanbul. He earned his undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees from Eastern Mediterranean University in Cyprus, an island nation in the Mediterranean Sea. Bal taught at the University of Western Ontario for two years before coming to Miami University Regionals in 2010.

“My priorities are to continue ENT’s programmatic excellence and the success of our students. I want the department to continue to grow. We have new degree programs in robotics engineering technology and advanced manufacturing, both of which are in-demand occupations,” Bal said. “I started these new programs and, as chair, I will move them along.”

Bal said he looks forward to growing and adapting the program to continue to serve students and the industry.

“I truly appreciate Ayo’s efforts and leadership. He is my mentor. I have learned a lot from Ayo, and I’m honored to follow him as chair,” Bal said.

A recent survey of ENT graduates indicates that 100 percent of them are employed in their career field or furthering their education.