FTR International partners with BCM

Global Construction Management

Recognizing that the future of construction management will be on a global stage, FTR International partnered with Purdue’s BCM program to help students experience international construction experiences.

"This is for the students of Purdue to help them enhance their practical experience and overseas exposure," said Nazir Katbi, CEO of FTR International, which is an international contractor based in Irvine, Calif. “There is an immediate need for professional construction managers in many foreign countries. Saudi Arabia happens to be one of them.”

FTR International sponsored a May 2011 study abroad program to Saudi Arabia for BCM students. The goal was to give students a chance to shadow and be immersed in the demands of international construction management.

Five students, Professor Brad Benhart, and Department Head Robert Cox participated in the program. Their pre-work included research of construction types, customs, politics and geography of the region. Once in Saudi Arabia, the students were on site each day taking part in day-to-day operations including safety, quality, drawing coordination, scheduling, MEP coordination and overall project management.

Project Sites included: King Saud University ($2.2 billion, 14,000 workers, 52 tower cranes) and King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center ($800 million, the largest LEED Platinum project in the world). In addition to these sites, the students traveled to Dubai to tour many of the iconic projects.

"Watching these young students experience this trip has been truly enjoyable,” said Benhart. "FTR and Purdue have provided a once in a lifetime opportunity observing international construction at its finest in a place as diverse as the Middle East."

The Global Construction Management group will be traveling to the Middle East this summer. FTR International has generously agreed to sponsor the program again. Industry partners and alumni are invited to participate and travel along with the students. There continues to be explosive growth in the demand for U.S. construction expertise.

The students on the trip kept a blog of their experiences: Purdue BCM- FuTuRe Global Construction Managers.