Rafif Srour appointed Dean of Programs of IE School of Science & Technology

Rafif Srour has been appointed Dean of Programs of IE School of Science & Technology. In this new role, which follows her previous position as Executive Vice Dean of the School, Rafif Srour will oversee the academic portfolio across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education, with responsibility for program strategy and development. Rafif Srour’s work has contributed to the growth of the School’s academic offering over the past decade, particularly in data, technology, and program design.

This strategic appointment reflects the School’s growth, as its academic offering expands across disciplines including data science, artificial intelligence, and applied sciences, alongside the development of research-driven pathways and PhD programs. As Dean of Programs, Rafif Srour will play a key role in reinforcing the School’s connections and joint initiatives with industry, startups, prestigious universities, and global institutions, reinforcing IE School of Science & Technology’s positioning as the reference in Europe—an industry-connected polytechnic.

"Rafif Srour has made foundational contributions to the Sci-Tech school since its inception.  This expanded role supports a continuity of growth and increases academic cross-integration, while we expand into new areas and new geographies," said Ikhlaq Sidhu, Dean of IE School of Science & Technology.

"We aim to shape global talent, while also working every day to generate knowledge, advance research, and contribute meaningfully to society. My main goal as Dean of Programs is to ensure that our academic offerings reflect that vision, supporting sustainable growth while remaining true to our values and academic excellence," Srour explained. "The main focus is integration. We are working closely with the corporate world, with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with our academic peers and global institutions, to tackle the challenges we are facing in a world profoundly transformed by technology," she added.

An academic with recognized experience in teaching, analytical and empirical research, and data analysis, Rafif Srour has worked extensively in international and multicultural environments, including Lebanon, the United States, and Spain. During her career at IE University, she has held multiple academic leadership roles, including Academic Director of the Bachelor in Data and Business Analytics and Interim Dean of the School of Science & Technology. She most recently served as Executive Vice Dean of the School.

Rafif Srour is a strong advocate of learning innovation, as well as coaching and mentoring as tools to enhance student performance and the overall academic experience, and is an active member of IE University’s Learning Innovation Hub. In parallel, Professor Srour serves as a Board member of the IE University Women’s Unit and is an active advocate for women in STEM. Srour holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, a Master’s degree in Soil Science, and a PhD in Environmental Soil Chemistry.

Srour’s appointment as Dean of Programs forms part of the internal governance of IE School of Science & Technology designed to align the School’s leadership with its strategic priorities across academic programs, faculty excellence, industry engagement, research impact, and external development. IE School of Science & Technology is led by Ikhlaq Sidhu, Dean of the School, and its governance structure also includes Julio Lumbreras, Professor of Industrial Engineering and Vice Dean of Faculty and Research; Guillermo de Haro Rodríguez, as Vice Dean of External Relations; David Gómez-Ullate Oteiza, continuing in his role leading Faculty Recruitment, the PhD program, and the Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics; Geoffroy Gérard, as Chief Development Officer, and Matteo Turilli, continuing as Chief Lab Officer.