Gilbert Babin appointed Professor Emeritus

HEC Montréal announces the appointment Gilbert Babin as Professor Emeritus. This honour highlights his contributions towards teaching information technologies, the School’s international renown and educating generations of students. His emeritus status will be proclaimed at the graduation ceremony on May 19, 2026.

Gilbert Babin joined HEC Montréal in 2000 and went on to become a full professor there in 2011. He retired in June 2024 after more than two decades of service to the School. He held key roles, including Director of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program from 2011 to 2016, and then Director of the Department of Information Technologies from 2017 to 2023. 

At the same time, he also contributed to the creation and redesign of several programs, including the Maîtrise en gestion (M. Sc.) – commerce électronique [MSc in Electronic Commerce] and the Business Intelligence option in the BBA program. He also served on the Academic Council for 15 years, actively contributing to the School’s pedagogical orientations. 

Educational innovation

Gilbert Babin is recognized as one of the leading architects of ERPsim, an educational simulation that provides students with a practical and immersive experience in integrated business management. This innovation is currently used in over 300 universities around the world.

His research focuses on the integration of information systems, distributed databases and technological architectures. He has been published in numerous renowned academic journals, and his contributions have been widely disseminated within the academic community, reflecting the influence of his work in his field. According to Google Scholar, his publications have been cited more than 1,360 times.

His influence extends beyond the walls of the School. His contribution to the SAP University Alliance and to the international dissemination of ERPsim notably earned him the Majdi Najm Outstanding Service Award. His activities in international conferences and his community involvement, which includes his work with Centraide, have extended the visibility of HEC Montréal in various settings.

A committed professor

By transferring his intellectual property rights over ERPsim, Gilbert Babin has been able to make an exceptional contribution to the HEC Montréal Foundation, having donated over $5 million since 2006. He also contributes annually to doctoral fellowships for new IT students. In 2023, he won the Jean-Marie Toulouse Engagement Award, which is presented annually to HEC Montréal faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding engagement towards the School.

This appointment as Professor Emeritus is a tribute to Gilbert Babin’s exemplary career, which has been marked by innovation, leadership and a profound dedication to the School’s mission.