Mr. Vandal's career has progressed steadily over the years, taking him to his current position in the senior management ranks of one of Québec's top corporations: President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec. His career has been highlighted by strengths that were evident in his student days at Polytechnique: intensity, curiosity and a meticulous approach.
 
Nearly 2,000 people attended the graduation ceremony, during which more than 400 students received their diplomas directly from Polytechnique's new CEO, Christophe Guy, who said: "Our graduates join a long line of Polytechnique students who have produced outstanding work or contributed to the well-being of our society, for that is the role of an engineer."

During the ceremony, Polytechnique also paid tribute to certain professors whose brilliant careers have contributed to the reputation of the institution and the engineering profession as a whole. Professor Pierre Savard was awarded the Prix d'excellence en enseignement and Professor Marie Bernard was honoured with the title of emeritus professor -- the first woman in the history of Polytechnique to receive this prestigious distinction.

For the 2006-2007 academic year, Polytechnique presented 1,025 diplomas, including 620 bachelor's degrees in engineering degrees, 10 bachelor's degrees in science, 181 master's degrees in applied sciences, 155 master's degrees in engineering, 40 DESS diplomas and 19 doctorates.

More than ever, Polytechnique Montréal is preparing tomorrow's engineers!
 
About Polytechnique
Founded in 1873, École Polytechnique de Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering institutions in terms of both teaching and research. It is the largest engineering school in Québec as far as its student population and the scope of its research activities are concerned. Polytechnique provides instruction in 11 engineering specialties and is responsible for nearly one-quarter of all university research in engineering in Québec. The institution has 230 professors and nearly 6,000 students. In addition to its annual operating budget of $85 million, the institution has a $68-million research and infrastructure fund, which includes grants and contracts worth $38 million. Polytechnique is affiliated with Université de Montréal.

-30-

Source:
Guylaine Gagner
Communications and Student Recruitment Office 
École Polytechnique de Montréal
Tel.: 514-340-4711, Ext. 4537
guylaine.gagner@polymtl.ca