Ibrahim S. Odeh

SENIOR LECTURER IN THE DISCIPLINE OF CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Mudd 604

Tel(212) 851-4375
Fax(212) 854-6267

Ibrahim S. Odeh focuses his studies and research on assisting construction firms with strategic management assignments in areas related to: strategy and business development; infrastructure and construction market analysis; market entry strategy; and trends affecting the future of the construction market. The result of his work helped several companies in the decision-making processes to enter new geographical locations, expand to new markets, build new units within the same institutions, and differentiate firms during pre-bidding process on mega projects. 

Research Interests

strategy and business development; infrastructure and construction market analysis; market entry strategy; trends affecting the future of the construction market.

Odeh also joined the World Economic Forum (WEF) as an official industry Expert in Engineering and Construction in 2017. He also managed to work on several research and consulting projects and market studies with leading firms and institutions such as the World Economic Forum, Boston Consulting Group, Skanska, AECOM, Turner, Dentons, HAKS, and STV. Moreover, Odeh is actively working since 2015 as an advisory committee member on a multi-year project that is focused on studying "The Future of Construction" with the WEF.

Odeh also led, along with world-renowned guest presenters, a specialization in Construction Management hosted on Coursera! This specialization consists of four courses to be completed over the course four months. Upon completion of all four courses, students  receive a specialization certification. He managed to educate thousands of people from around the world every month. He is also one of the faculties who direct and run the CEM program for both the on-campus and on-line tracks. Classes he teaches are focused on: Entrepreneurship for Civil Engineering & Construction; Managing Engineering and Construction Processes; and Principles of Construction Techniques.

Odeh received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Management from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also holds an MBA degree with an emphasis on Finance from Minnesota, USA. In 2000 Odeh received his BS in Civil Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology. Odeh serves as a member of several advisory boards and committees such as: the World Economic Forum; CG/LA Infrastructure; Smart City Works; Columbia University Middle East Research Center; AECOM Academy; and C3 Summit.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

  • Founding Director – Global Leaders in Construction Management – Department of Civil Engineering – Columbia University, SEP 2011 – Present
  • Advisory Committee Member – World Economic Forum – Switzerland, MAY 2015 – Present 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Consultant – Skanska Inc. – New York, MAY 2014 – Present
  • Consultant – HAKS – New York, FEB 2017 – Present
  • Consultant – Dentons – New York, JAN 2016 – AUG 2016
  • Advisor – STV Inc. – New York, JAN 2012 – MAY 2012
  • Global Real Estate Developer – JPMorgan Chase & Co., New York, MAY – AUG 2008 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • World Economic Forum – Expert Network
  • Smart City Works (Accelerator) – Advisory Board
  • CG/LA Inc. (www.cg-la.com) – Advisory Board
  • Columbia University Middle East Research Center – Faculty Steering Committee
  • AAAEA (www.aaaea-tristate.com) – Board of Trustees
  • AECOM Arabia Academy – Advisory Board
  • BADER for Entrepreneurship in Jordan – Review Committee
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Member
  • Jordanian Engineers Syndicate – Member 

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching Nominee; Finalist 11 from among 700 nominations and 5,000 faculty members, 2016.
  • Columbia University, Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, School of Engineering, Columbia University, 2014.
  • Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects Scholarship Award, Chicago, Illinois, 2009
  • Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects Scholarship Award, Chicago, Illinois, 2008
  • Teaching/Research Assistantship and Tuition Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005 to 2009 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

  • “Eight ways to win the fight for talent in construction” (https://futureofconstruction.org/blog/eight-ways-to-win-the-fight-for-talent-in-construction/)
  • “Shaping the Future of Construction: Insights to redesign the industry” (http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Shaping_Future_Construction.pdf)
  • “Shaping the Future of Construction: Inspiring innovators redefine the industry” (http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Shaping_the_Future_of_Construction_Inspiring_Innovators_redefine_the_industry_2017.pdf)
  •  “Shaping the Future of Construction: A Breakthrough in Mindset and Technology” (http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Shaping_the_Future_of_Construction_full_report__.pd)
  • Fitch, G.; Odeh, I.; Kautz, F; and Ibbs, W. (2017) “SD Models for the Valuation of Real Options in P3 Concession Project Agreement” Journal of Infrastructure Systems, Under Review.
  • Antunes, R.; González, V.; Walsh, K; Rojas, O.; O'Sullivan, M.; Odeh, I. (2017) “Benchmarking Project-Driven Production In Construction Using Productivity Function: Capacity And Cycle Time” ASCE Journal of Construction Engr. & Management, Under Review.
  • Asgari, S., Kandil, A., and Odeh, I. (2016) “Impact of Considering Need for Work and Risk on Performance of Construction Contractors: An Agent-Based Approach” Journal of Automation in Construction, 2016.
  • Fitch, G., Odeh, I., and Kandil, A. (2016) “Employing a System-of-Systems Approach to Water Management in The Shale Gas Value Chain” International Conference on Smart Infrastructure and Construction, Cambridge, England.
  • Moran, R. and Odeh, I. (2016) “Design Build Mega Bridge Projects in New York and Best Practices in Procurement” ASCE Construction Institute, Construction Research Conference.
  • Asgari, S., Kandil, A., and Odeh, I. (2016) “Optimal Risk Attitude for Construction Contractors in Competitive Bidding Environments” ASCE Construction Institute, Construction Research Conference.
  • Fitch, G., Odeh, I., and Kandil, A. (2016) “Planning and Cost Control of Air Quality Control Systems for Clean Coal Power Generation” ASCE Construction Institute, Construction Research Conference.
  • Fitch, G.; Odeh, I.; and Ibbs, W. (2015) “Economic Sustainability of DBO Water Based on Wastewater Projects in the U.S.: Three Case Studies” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2015.
  • Asgari, S., Song, X., and Odeh, I. (2013). “Introducing the Concept of Green Performance Bond And Its Application in Managing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in Construction Projects”, The 4th Construction Specialty Conference, CSCE 2013, Montréal, Canada.
  • Hassan, M., Odeh, I., and El-Rayes, K. (2010) “Glare and Light Characteristics of Conventional and Balloon Lighting Systems” Submitted to the Transportation Research Board 2010 Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., January 10-14, 2010.
  • Hassan, M., Odeh, I., and El-Rayes, K., (2010). “Glare and Light Characteristics of Conventional and Balloon Lighting Systems” Submitted to the Transportation Research Board 2010 Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., January 10-14, 2010.
  • Elghamrawy, T., El-Rayes, K. , Liu, L. , and Odeh, I., (2010). “Analysis of Injury and Fatal Crashes in Highway Construction Zones.” Proceedings of the ASCE Construction Research Congress, Banff, Alberta, Canada, May 8-11, 2010.
  • Odeh, I., El-Rayes, K., and Liu, L. (2009) “Field Experiments to Evaluate and Control Light Tower Glare in Nighttime Work Zones.” the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, American Society of Civil Engineers, September 2009.