FIU OHL Newsletter

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing Fall 2013

Constructioneer

OHL School of Construction students

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Table of Contents:

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2

Director’s Corner

FIU Dedicates OHL School of Construction

FIU launches first international internship program in Madrid

OHL School of Construction students dominating national competition

FIU and Tsinghua University students team up for Solar Decathlon China 2013

Yimin Zhu links computing with sustainable construction

Emmanuel Okwor tackles major project in Miami Gardens

Hard work and dedication pay off for Mickey Cerra

Moss and Associates donates $250,000 for the Built Environment Informatics Lab

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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Director’s Corner The past year (2011-12) was a historic year for the FIU Construction Management program. In March 2012, the Department of Construction Management became OHL School of Construction.

Globally known international construction company (ranked 21st in ENR international contractors’ ranking) Obrascon Huarte Lain (OHL) named the FIU construction program through a generous gift.

OHL School of Construction became the first named school in the history of the college. The dedication took place on March 20, 2012 in the presence of the high-ranked executives of both FIU and OHL including President Mark B. Rosenberg of FIU and Chairman of the OHL Board of Directors Juan-Miguel Villar-Mir. Many dignitaries were present as invited guests including FIU administrators, local construction industry executives, faculty and students of the college.

Irtishad Ahmad, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE Director, OHL School of Construction

This year the school continued to make noteworthy accomplishments as in the previous years. A team of undergraduate students won the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) 12th annual student chapter Construction Management Competition during the 2012 ABC EdCon and Expo in San Antonio, Texas. FIU also took second place in safety. FIU was one of the 25 teams from colleges and universities across the nation participating in the competition.

Our team competed with reputable schools such as Auburn University, Clemson University, Colorado State, Georgia Tech, Purdue University, Texas A& M University, Ohio State University, and University of Florida among others. It is the second time FIU has brought home the coveted title of Construction Management Champions. FIU team became champion for the first time in 2006.

In continuation of the tradition, FIU team became runners-up in this year’s (2013) competition held in Birmingham, Alabama. FIU team also received second prize in the project management/ scheduling category this year.

The school began offering its first overseas MSCM (Masters of Science in Construction Management) in the Dominican Republic in May of this year. Another program is due to begin in Panama in January next year. In addition, a professional MSCM program has been launched in August 2012.

The professional program is taught on Saturdays at the FIU Pines Center in Broward.

It should be noted that according to the latest employment data published by SUS (2010-11 Florida Public University Graduates) the Masters of Science in Construction Management has the highest employment rate in the state when compared to other universities in Florida and the Bachelor degree program in Construction Management has the second highest rate of employment.

The total number of students graduated in 2011-12 is 138. Last year we graduated 166 students, highest in the history of the school. I congratulate the graduates and wish them good luck.

I take this opportunity to thank our students and alumni for choosing the OHL School of Construction to advance their career. We are grateful to our industry partners - members of our Industry Advisory Council - for supporting the School in realizing its vision - being known in the world as the center for excellence in construction education. As the school is playing a significant role in preparing future generations of the industry leaders, it is vitally important that the industry is supportive of the school.

Irtishad Ahmad News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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FIU dedicates OHL School of Construction

I

.n 2012, multinational Obrascon

now a multinational traded on the Bolsa

projects and boasts the largest

.Huarte Lain (OHL) and Florida

de Madrid with sales in the order of

construction management graduate

.International University’s College of

$6.3bn. “We look for the OHL School

program in Florida.

Engineering and Computing announced

of Construction to become one of the

a partnership to create the OHL School

top programs of its kind in the U.S. and

Dominican Republic and Panama, and

of Construction, the first named school in

abroad.”

strong executive and online offerings,

the history of the college.

The OHL School of Construction’s

our construction program is already Worlds Ahead,” said Amir Mirmiran, Dean

Engineering Center. The ceremony was

“We look for the OHL School of Construction to become one of the top programs of its kind in

followed by a lecture by President and

the U.S. and abroad.”

elite group of national and international

peers.”

dedication ceremony took place on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the

Chairman of the OHL Board of Directors

Juan-Miguel Villar Mir..

President and Chairman of the OHL Board of Directors....

Juan-Miguel Villar Mir titled “OHL Group – A Case Study in Entrepreneurial Success.”

“FIU’s program will move forward at

of the FIU College of Engineering and Computing. “This generous gift will place the OHL School of Construction in an

Established in 1973, the construction management program at FIU has

Since its establishment in Spain

educated more than 1,500 professionals.

in 1911, OHL has evolved into one

Graduates are employed by all major

a faster pace with OHL’s investment

of the world’s largest construction

construction companies in the region.

in and commitment to mutual values

corporations, leading major projects in

of excellence, sustainability, diversity,

more than 50 countries. In alignment

will be known as a global center for

progress, economic development,

with the expansion priorities of OHL,

excellence in construction education.

and quality of life,” said Villar Mir, who

the partnership with FIU will address the

The school will prepare future

acquired Obrascon when the company

demand for diverse construction industry

generations of construction management

was on the verge of disappearing in

professionals in Latin America and the

professionals to build our future,

1987 and, through a series of mergers,

Caribbean.

transforming South Florida and beyond,”

restructured the activities of the company and created the OHL Group which is

4

“With a global presence in the

The OHL School of Construction’s faculty is involved in funded research

“The OHL School of Construction

said Irtishad Ahmad, director of the OHL School of Construction.

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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FIU launches

first international internship

program in Madrid Global construction giant

two FIU students, Alejandro

work on some of the most

Obrascon Huarte Lain (OHL)

Falgons and Felipe Martinez,

innovative and exciting

OHL subsidiary Arellano

has signed an agreement

both juniors in construction

construction management

Construction is overseeing

with FIU for the university’s

management. They worked

projects happening in the

the $26.8 million construction

first international internship

primarily at the company’s

world today,’’ said Ahmad.

of the Management and

program, to be based at the

headquarters in Madrid but

“They will get to experience

New Growth Opportunities

company’s headquarters

also received assignments

real-life challenges and

(MANGO) Building, scheduled

in Madrid.

to OHL projects throughout

situations on the highest

to open in November.

the world.

level.”

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the OHL

With nearly $7 billion in

The firm’s portfolio

On the FIU campus,

“This internship program is a natural evolution of the

School of Construction and for

annual sales and more than

includes both vertical and

excellent partnership we have

FIU,’’ said Amir Mirmiran, dean

19,000 employees, OHL is

horizontal construction, from

with FIU,’’ said Francisco

of the College of Engineering

one of the world’s largest

hospitals and office buildings

Marin, president and CEO

and Computing. “FIU is

construction companies with

to railways, bridges, ports

of OHL. “The OHL School of

already recognized as a center

projects in more than 28

and roads. OHL manages

Construction is one of the top

of excellence in construction

countries. The firm specializes

significant corporate holdings

programs of its kind in the U.S.

management. This partnership

in major infrastructure

in Latin America and the

and abroad. We are committed

will further enable FIU to

projects, including those

Caribbean. In Miami, OHL

to supporting its efforts to

prepare future generations of

funded by public-private

built the Orange Line of the

educate the next generation

highly skilled and experienced

partnerships, an emerging

Metrorail, the first railway

of leaders in construction

construction management

financing mechanism for

construction project by a

who understand and can best

professionals.”

projects in the United States.

Spanish company in the

formulate innovative solutions

United States.

to global issues.”

The partnership also

“Our students will get to

highlights FIU’s commitment to preparing its students to excel in a global economy, said Irma Becerra-Fernandez, vice president for the Office of Engagement, who co-signed the partnership agreement with OHL and the School of Construction.

Becerra-Fernandez traveled with Mirmiran, Irtishad Ahmad, director of the OHL School of Construction, and Susan Jay, the director of development for the College of Engineering and Computing, to Madrid to meet with OHL officials.

For 10 weeks beginning in June, OHL employed

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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OHL School of Construction students

dominating national competition

I

.n recent years, FIU has created

accomplishment,” Morad said. “They put in

construction management programs in

.a tradition of excellence in national

a lot of effort and hard work, and it paid off.”

the nation.

.construction management

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) East Florida Chapter sponsored

Last year, a team of students from

earning the overall championship in this

the participation of the OHL School team

FIU’s OHL School of Construction won

prestigious national competition for the

in this competition. ABC members who

the Associated Builders and Contractors

second time since 2006 is testament to

actively assisted are Facchina, Florida

(ABC) 12th annual Student Chapter

the high quality education the students

Lemark, Link Construction, and Skanska.

Construction Management Competition

are receiving.

ABC members also participated in a golf

competition.

during the 2012 ABC EdCon and Expo in

“With this year’s victory I can

tournament, sponsored by OHL/Arellano,

confidently say that the OHL School of

in February to raise funds for helping FIU

Construction can be considered as one of

students to pay for their registration and

from colleges and universities across

the top five construction programs in the

travel expenses.

the nation that competed for more than

country,” Irtishad said.

San Antonio, Texas.

FIU was one of 25 teams of students

$6,000 in cash and prizes. It was the

FIU’s success in this prestigious

The 2012 team included Ken Fabel, Nabil Nisr, Charles Hall and Grant

second time FIU has brought home the

competition carried on earlier this year

Glenewinkel, along with alternate member

coveted title of Construction Management

as another team of students from the

Nikki Forbes. Their project involved the

Champions. Students competed in three

OHL School of Construction ranked

renovation of an elementary school in

areas: project management/scheduling,

second in both the overall competition

Baltimore. This year’s team included

estimating, and safety. FIU took second

and the project management category of

Nicholas Nobili, Gabriel Hernandez,

place in the area of safety.

the Spring 2013 ABC Student Chapter

Jeremy Jelonek, James Cloud, Carlos

Construction Management Competition.

Arrebola and Brian Carson. This year’s

Once again, the FIU team was competing

project was a 4,600 square foot chapel

with student teams from the best

for a hospital in Jackson, Miss.

Faculty advisors Jose Faria and Ayman Morad coached the team.

“We’re just really very proud of their

6

Irtishad Ahmad, director of the OHL School of Construction, said FIU

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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FIU and Tsinghua University students team up for

Solar Decathlon China 2013 Though separated by 7,000

Computing, Michele Markovits

September 2011 when Zhu

than a dozen countries, the

miles of land and ocean,

and Kun Bao, traveled to

and Professor Irtishad Ahmad,

event is truly international. It

students from Florida

China to help with the on-site

director of FIU’s OHL School

was particularly amazing, he

International University and

construction, which began

of Construction, traveled to

said, to watch FIU students

Tsinghua University in Beijing

July 15, and were later joined

China to discuss details of

and Chinese university

teamed up to develop an

by three faculty members,

collaboration with the team at

students working side-by-

energy efficient, cost-effective

including Marilys Nepomechie,

Tsinghua University.

side. Everyone was very

and attractive solar-powered

professor of architecture,

house for the inaugural

Yimin Zhu, associate

group of about 20 students

Solar Decathlon (SD) China

professor and graduate

and faculty from FIU

competition held in August in

program director in the OHL

communicated with a team

very intensive,” he said. “In

Datong, China.

School of Construction, and

of more than 50 students at

the end, it is the spirit to

Cheng-Xian “Charlie” Lin,

Tsinghua University via Skype,

participate and the desire to

team finished fifth among 20

associate professor in the

phone and email and sharing

contribute in the solar house

teams from around the world

Department of Mechanical

documents on Dropbox to

development that will last. I

in the competition, which is

and Materials Engineering.

work on the design of a house

think the experience working

comprised of 10 contests.

They teamed with 40 students

approximately 800 square feet

in a multi-disciplinary and

The team earned top honors

and four faculty members from

in size.

multi-cultural team will impact

in four of the five measured

Tsinghua University.

The FIU-Tsinghua University

For nearly two years, a

Dr. Lin described the

contests -- including a first

Representatives from the

place win in Comfort Zone,

two universities first met in

impressed by what the team accomplished.

“The competition was

the life and career of every

experience as unforgettable.

faculty and student members

With universities from more

for the years to come.”

full points for Energy Balance and Hot Water; and a second place finish in the suite of competitions that makes up the Home Entertainment contest. Among the five juried contests, the team earned third place in Solar Applications, fourth place in both Architecture and Market Appeal, and fifth place in Engineering.

Two students from the FIU College of Engineering &

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Yimin Zhu links

computing with sustainable construction reasons Zhu was drawn

which in many cases applies existing

to this area of study.

technologies to solve construction

“In construction we’re

his career in the late 1980s, Yimin Zhu witnessed great changes in China as the country opened up and enacted sweeping reform that involved privatization of state-owned industries and the lifting of protectionist policies and regulations.

“During that period of time from 1985 to 1989, there was a big wave of interest toward what we call modern project management techniques,” recalls Zhu, now associate professor and graduate program director in FIU’s OHL School of Construction. “That was fascinating to me and many other young people in school at that moment.”

Zhu, who earned his bachelor degree

on sustainability, an area of construction

technical issues but

where he felt he could better apply his

mostly it’s about how to

knowledge of computer technology.

Gradually, he began to develop ideas to

like human, money, those kinds of things,

link computing applications to sustainable

and bring those things together with

construction, and in 2010 he was

constraints such as time,” Zhu says. “I

awarded a grant by the National Science

feel myself more attracted to these kinds

Foundation to study the relationship

of problems.”

between construction time, cost and

Zhu moved to the United States to

environmental impact.

continue his studies at the University

“I’m still working in this direction,

of Florida in Gainesville. His interests

trying to see how we can better utilize

broadened to include computing, and in

computing applications in sustainable

1999 Zhu graduated from UF with both

construction,” he says. “I’m looking at

a master’s in computer and information

this problem from the materials level, the

science and engineering and a Ph.D. in

building level, and now the regional level.”

construction management.

“I wanted to develop a career in

Zhu teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level on

this middle area between construction

such subjects as construction drawing,

management and computing,” explains

estimating, scheduling, and sustainable

Zhu, who began working for software

construction. He also serves as a faculty

firms, developing construction

adviser to a team of FIU engineering

in civil engineering from Huazhong

management software at the dawn of

and architecture students who are

University of Science and Technology in

the dot.com era. “Bringing those two

joining forces with students at Tsinghua

Wuhan, became interested in the role of

interests together for me has been a

University in Beijing to compete in the

a project manager, a concept that was

great experience. Even today I’m working

Solar Decathlon China competition to be

completely new in China at the time.

on things that sort of overlap between

held in August in Datong, China.

Chinese schools soon began launching

computing and construction. Without

“FIU is a great school and is still

construction management programs,

that experience my vision would be much

developing and has a lot of opportunities

and Zhu enrolled in Harbin Institute

narrower.”

to grow,” he says. “I like to work with

of Architectural Engineering, earning

8

not just dealing with

manage the resources,

As a young engineer just starting out

problems. He then focused his research

After joining FIU in 2004, Zhu was able

students. They’re very talented, and some

his master’s degree in construction

to attract grant to conduct research in

of them are very experienced and very

management in 1993. The complexity of

computing applications, but realized the

ambitious. I really enjoy working with

construction management is one of the

area had its limitations in construction,

these kinds of students.”

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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Emmanuel Okwor tackles major project in Miami Gardens

Emmanuel Okwor grew up around

Working with Professor Yimin Zhu at

construction sites, watching his father

FIU, Okwor developed a strong interest

work as a general contractor before

in virtual construction, which uses 3D

eventually joining him on the job when

software to find and fix problems in a

he was 16. A Fort Lauderdale native,

virtual mode before breaking ground on

he worked on projects at the city’s

the actual project.

international airport and courthouse, among other projects.

Okwor continued working full time

“Two things that I’m focused on in my career is virtual construction and green building,” Okwor says. “I’ve gained a lot

in the industry while taking classes

of experience and knowledge in these

in FIU’s OHL School of Construction

areas through my class work at FIU and

Management. He graduated in May with

now as a project engineer.”

a degree in construction management

Okwor is usually the first one at the

and a minor in business administration.

construction site in the morning and

Today he’s a project engineer for Foster

the last one to leave. When his hours

Construction of South Florida, a general

become a little more manageable, he’s

contracting firm in Miami, in a partnership

considering using the extra time to

with Skanska, one of the world’s leading

pursue his general contractor’s license or

construction groups, working on a $42

getting an MBA or getting a master’s in

million municipal complex in Miami

construction management.

Gardens.

“It’s fun working on a big project like

After attending Broward College, where he graduated with an AA degree in

this. I think it’s the biggest in the area

General Engineering, he enrolled at FIU

right now,” says Okwor.

in Spring 2011. While at FIU he was a

The environmentally friendly project

member of the International Construction

includes a three-story, 63,000-square-

Honor Society, Sigma Lambda Chi,

Endowed Industry Scholarship and the

foot city hall building, as well as an

serving as vice president, and the Golden

Gerald C. Grant, Jr. Honors College

8,500-square-foot council chambers

Key International Honour Society. He was

building and a 67,000-square-foot police

also a member of the student chapter of

department headquarters, as well as a

the Associated Builders and Contractors

parking garage. The project will be LEED

(ABC) and was instrumental in revitalizing

Platinum certified. Leadership in Energy

the Associated General Contractors

and Environmental Design (LEED) is a

(AGC) student chapter at FIU as well.

Scholarship. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.8 GPA and was named the college’s Spring 2013 Outstanding Graduate.

“Doing all the things I did wasn’t always easy,” Okwor says. “But I had fun getting

rating system for the design, construction

Okwor received the 2012 AGC

and operation of high-performance green

Education & Research Foundation

involved in everything and at the end of

buildings, homes and neighborhoods.

Scholarship sponsored by the FMI

the day it’s rewarding to take on a difficult

Platinum is the highest LEED rating.

Corporation, the 2012 FIU/CASF

task and be able to come through.”

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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towards his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management degree.

Eventually, he was offered a better paying position with another general contracting company and worked there for over three years. Then in April 2001, he started his own construction company, Link Construction Group, with his business partner.

“It has been an incredible journey ever since,” he says.

Cerra recalls that the training and

Alumni Profile

exposure he had at FIU was invaluable and unparalleled. He did make a great deal of friends within the construction school and established working relationships that have continued to this date.

Cerra currently sits on the FIU OHL School of Construction Industry Advisory Council and, by doing so, he is able to stay connected to the University and keep up with the progress of the Construction Management program.

Link Construction, owned by Cerra and his business partner, has hired

Hard work and dedication pay off for

Mickey Cerra

M

Construction Management program. He is very happy with the graduates of FIU since they have always proven to be prepared to take on any challenge.

..iguel Cerra, known fondly

with that, the private commercial

..to all as Mickey, began

industry started to gain strength. The

program at FIU is, without a doubt, one

..his construction career

local business economy in South Florida

of the best in the nation and I am proud

soon after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

had been given a jump-start and the

to say that I am a Panther,” he says.

After this devastating hurricane, many

construction industry was in the forefront

new opportunities in the construction

of this progress.

industry started to develop and become available.

Cerra landed a job with a relatively

“The Construction Management

His advice to FIU construction students getting ready to work in the industry is to “Get as much first-hand

large construction company and was

knowledge as possible, while you’re

given an opportunity at a ground level

in school. Your persistence, dedication,

markets were affected and the

position. He continued to work during

and hard work will pay off in the

movement, driven by rebuilding,

the day and attend classes at night

long run.”

triggered a sense of new beginnings

in the FIU Construction Management

and investment opportunities. Housing

program. He quickly moved up in rank

Group, Inc. please visit them online at

developments started to emerge and

within the company while working

www.linkconstructiongroup.net.

Both the residential and commercial

10

numerous employees from the FIU

To learn more about Link Construction

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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Moss and Associates

donates $250,000 for the Built Environment Informatics Lab Photo: Copyright WorldViz Architecture Interactive

M

oss and Associates, the state’s

said Irtishad Ahmad, director of the OHL

will further strengthen the corporation’s

third-largest building contractor,

School of Construction. “Because of recent

reputation as a dedicated advocate of the

is donating a new research lab to

advances made in computing technology,

power of public higher education.

Florida International University’s OHL School

virtual simulation and visualization of

of Construction in an effort to strengthen

building and construction processes have

be critical to the development of the

the program’s national reputation.

become proven complementary tools for

construction industry and to our students

Moss and Associates, a Fort Lauderdale-

delivering real-life experience to students.

excelling in that field,” said Susan R. Jay,

based construction management company,

With this new laboratory we will be able to

director of development at FIU’s College

is giving the school $250,000 to build

explain complex construction processes to

of Engineering & Computing. “It will

the new facility, which will be named the

our students very effectively,”

also solidify FIU’s position as a leading

Moss and Associates Built Environment

The unique facility will lead to an increase

Informatics Laboratory (BEIL) in honor of

in research emphasis on multi-dimensional

the company. Moss and Associates will

visualization and simulation to support

also consult the school as it equips the lab

complex decision-making in construction.

with state-of-the-art technology.

“Creation of this laboratory will address

“The BEIL will support both student and

“This innovative facility is going to

teaching and research institution for the construction industry.”

Over the past decade, Moss and Associates has played a key role in the school’s current strength among the top

faculty researchers in their development of

undergraduate construction education

the critical need for a facility of this type

strong research proposals in construction

programs in the country. Chad Moss, the

in our community, empowering the school

engineering and management,” said Yimin

company’s senior vice president, received

to begin a new era of built environment

Zhu, associate professor of the OHL School

his Bachelor of Science in Construction

research, which ultimately will benefit

of Construction. “It will serve faculty and

Management from FIU in 1994 and is

academic and industry partners across the

students who rely on high performance

now a member of the school’s Industry

nation,” said Amir Mirmiran, dean of the FIU

computing and computation infrastructure

Advisory Council.

College of Engineering & Computing.

to perform modeling, analysis, simulation

“Construction education relies heavily on real-world data and case studies to facilitate student learning in the classroom,”

and optimization.”

A gift to name the Moss & Associates Built Environment Informatics Laboratory

Moss and Associates is a privately held construction company with four offices in Florida and one in Greenville, S.C., and Raleigh, N.C.

News from the OHL School of Construction at the FIU College of Engineering & Computing

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OHL School of Construction College of Engineering & Computing Florida International University 10555 West Flagler Street, EC 2900 Miami, FL 33174 Phone: 305.348.3172 Fax: 305.348.6255 ohlsc.fiu.edu

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Miami FL PERMIT NO 3675

Change Service Requested

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Transportation Infrastructure

Sustainability Summit Tuesday, October 29, 2013 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Kovens Conference Center FIU Biscayne Bay Campus 3000 N.E. 151 Street, Miami, FL 33181

For more information or to register, contact Bernadette Chung at 305.348.3537 or chungbl@fiu.edu. or visit: ohlsc.fiu.edu/sustainability

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