Michigan State University has appointed Nizar Lajnef, professor and associate chair for graduate studies in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as associate dean for research and strategic partnerships in International Studies and Programs (ISP). Lajnef succeeds Titus Awokuse, who was named vice provost and dean for ISP in January.
Lajnef, who will assume the role on August 16, earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Tunisia Polytechnic Institute. He continued his studies there, earning a master’s in computational mechanics. Three years later, Lajnef earned both a master’s in civil engineering and a dual doctorate in structural and civil engineering from Michigan State.
“Dr. Lajnef will serve as a much-needed addition for our leadership team as he possesses excellent faculty research and administrative leadership experience, successfully publishing numerous scholarly articles and initiating an online master’s program to meet global demand,” said ISP Vice Provost and Dean Titus Awokuse. “In addition to his fluency in five languages, Dr. Lajnef’s expertise in transformative technologies is an asset to collaborative research partnerships.”
Lajnef’s research interests include sensor design, implementation and data interpretation applied to smart infrastructure and transportation; applied artificial intelligence and machine learning; international collaboration for innovative infrastructure solutions; and advancing STEM education through multidisciplinary research and global engagement initiatives.
Lajnef first joined MSU as an assistant professor in 2008 and has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed publications in the area of sensors design and energy harvesting. His research and consultancy span multiple regions in Africa, Europe and North America. As associate chair for graduate studies, Lajnef has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening graduate education through strategic planning and innovative program development.
“I am excited to bring my academic and leadership experiences to ISP. This role reflects values that are deeply important to me: collaboration, openness and service to the public good,” Lajnef said. “We are fortunate to have an international community at MSU that brings a richness of perspectives, strengthens our research and learning environments, and builds meaningful bridges between Michigan and the world. These connections not only enhance academic and professional opportunities but also foster respect and shared understanding across cultures.”
Lajnef will work closely with Awokuse, the ISP senior leadership team, the Office of Research and Innovation, MSU college deans, unit directors, and university administration to advance international engagement. His role will focus on collecting institutional data for international scholarship; shaping and applying university protocols for research conducted in elevated and extreme risk locations; furthering MSU’s international registration policies and procedures; supporting central administration on ISP- and MSU-wide policies related to international engagement and compliance; and aligning campus and global activities with national and global metrics and rankings, as well as key objectives of MSU's 2030 Strategic Plan and ISP’s internationalization strategy.