China 2024
In the early summer of 2024, The Global Leaders in Construction Management (GLCM) team initiated an industry field exchange to Northern China. Visiting multiple stops and exchanging valuable industry knowledge with leading local and international firms. The team accompanying professor Ibrahim Odeh had five student members and 4 colleagues from Infinity Contracting Services Corporation, each with diverse international backgrounds from: China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.A..
The team started their exchange in the city of Rugao. Meeting with the China Communications Construction Company and Zhongru Construction. The team was led to visit the construction site of the soon to-be largest suspension bridge in the world, Zhang Jinggao Yangtze River Bridge (张靖皋长江大桥南航道桥), to which by its planned completion on 2028, will span a tremendous 2300 meters, shattering any current world record.
On the second day, the team conducted an industry insight exchange with Nantong 6th construction group, with professor Ibrahim Odeh presenting his research findings to the executives, and the team obtaining valuable insights from the company. Continuing on to Shanghai, the team met with two architectural and engineering firms Foster + Partners of Shanghai as well as Neri and Hu, exchanging on current and future projects of the two companies.
On the third morning, the team met with the China Construction Science and Technology Innovation Group branch of CSCEC, visiting their innovation lab that presented a glimpse of the future of robotics in the construction industry. Near the evening, the team visited Turner & Townsend Shanghai Branch, and exchanged insights of the Chinese construction market trends and industry trends.
On the last day in Shanghai, professor Ibrahim Odeh presented his research findings to c-suite executives and over 120 of managers and employees of China Construction Science and Technology Innovation Group branch of CSCEC. Conducting extremely valuable market research and industry exchange at the same time.
Moving to Beijing, the team met with professors and the Deans in the school of management science and engineering from the Central University of Finance and Economics. With professor Ibrahim Odeh leading to introduce both Columbia University with its Construction Management Program and possible future collaborations with the school. The team concluded their trip after their last meeting with a professor from Tsing Hua University to also introduce and discuss future school and program collaborations at Columbia University’s Columbia Global Centers Beijing branch.