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.
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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
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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
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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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