UCLA Engineering Alumnus, Asad M. Madni, to receive Honorary Doctorate from Ryerson University

Jun 9, 2009

By UCLA Samueli Newsroom

Asad M. Madni (‘69, M.S. ‘72), former president, COO and director of BEI Technologies, Inc. in Sylmar, Calif., will present the commencement address and receive the honorary Doctor of Science degree at the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science graduation ceremony on June 12 at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada.

Madni, considered a technical pioneer and visionary leader in intelligent micro-sensors, systems, and signal processing led the development and commercialization of revolutionary technologies for aerospace, military, commercial and transportation industries at BEI Technologies, Inc. Their applications include the servo control system for the Hubble Space Telescope’s Star Selector System and the revolutionary Quartz MEMS GyroChip technology, used worldwide for Electronic Stability Control and Rollover Protection in passenger vehicles.

“It is quite an honor to address outstanding graduating engineers, scientists and architects who will be the leaders of tomorrow. I have taken decades to learn what I hope to impart in just a few moments,” said Madni of the commencement address.

Currently serving as the executive managing director and chief technical officer of Crocker Capital based in San Francisco, Calif., Madni is an internationally recognized authority with over 35 years of experience in “intelligent” sensors and system design, and signal processing. He is credited with more than 140 referenced publications in archival journals, conference proceedings and book chapters; more than 100 research reports and internal publications; more than 100 keynote addresses, invited lectures, chairs and panels; and 67 issued or pending patents resulting in numerous “industry firsts.”

Madni has served as director on the board of six technology companies and on the advisory boards of several professional and academic organizations. He is currently serving as Distinguished College Professor at TCI College of Technology; as adjunct professor at Ryerson University and the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque; and on advisory boards at California State University Northridge’s College of Engineering & Computer Science, UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Northwestern University Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science, TCI College of Technology, IEEE Systems Journal, AutoSoft Journal, and as honorary editor of the International Journal on Smart Sensing and Intelligent Systems.

Madni received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. In 2002 he was awarded UCLA’s Professional Achievement Medal, and in 2004 he was presented with the school’s highest honor: Alumnus of the Year Award, which honors the superior achievements of UCLA Engineering alumni in their chosen fields of endeavor. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from California Coast University.

Madni is also the recipient of numerous national and international awards and honors including the Marconi Medal from TCI College of Technology, the 2008 IEEE Region 6 “Outstanding Engineer” and “Outstanding Leadership and Professional Service” Awards, the 2006 World Automation Congress Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2005 IEEE Achievement Medal, the 2004 Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award from the San Fernando Valley Engineers’ Council, the 2003 George Washington Engineer of the Year Award from the Los Angeles Council of Engineers & Scientists, IEEE Third Millennium Medal, Joseph F. Engelberger Best Paper Award at the 2000 World Automation Congress, California Coast University Distinguished Alumni Award, Association of Old Crows Gold Certificate of Merit, and is listed in all the major Who’s Who publications including Who’s Who in America.

Madni is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (UK), Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (UK), Fellow of the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering, Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Lifetime Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, and Life Fellow of the International Biographical Association. He is also an Eminent Engineer of Tau Beta Pi, The National Engineering Honor Society; Honorary Member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines; Member of Eta Kappa Nu, The Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society; Member of Tau Alpha Pi, The National Engineering Technology Honor Society; Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society; Member of Delta Epsilon Tau, International Honor Society and Life Member of the Association of Old Crows.

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