Chaim Elata (חיים אילתה) is an Israeli professor emeritus of mechanical engineering, and former president of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

[2] Elata graduated from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, receiving a master's degree in 1957, and a Doctorate of Science in 1961.

Elata is a professor emeritus of mechanical engineering, and former president of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

[3] He left Ben-Gurion University for a short period of time in order to serve as the chief scientist for the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

[3] He was then elected president in 1985, following Shlomo Gazit, serving until 1990 when he was succeeded by Avishay Braverman.