Engineering School Leaders in Construction Management at the Athens Center
The Global Leaders in Construction Management (GLCM) team, accompanied by Professor Ibrahim Odeh, recently held a productive meeting at the Columbia Global Center in Athens, bringing together industry leaders, students, and local experts.
The team included five student members from the Engineering School, alongside representatives from Aktor Construction Company and incoming engineering students.
Stefanos Gandolfo, Director of the Columbia Global Center in Athens, opened the meeting with a presentation on the activities of the Global Center to date. The discussions focused on exploring opportunities for future engagement and highlighted a shared commitment to integrating academic research, industry expertise, and local knowledge in Greece.
A highlight of the convening was the students’ visit to the Ellinikon site—a landscape that left a lasting impression. The site’s unique blend of cutting-edge construction resonated strongly with the group. Students were particularly moved by the necessity to halt construction upon discovery of archaeological remains, underscoring the delicate balance required in Greece’s construction projects. Discussions with local engineers illuminated the challenges faced on site, while also highlighting innovative approaches employed to overcome these hurdles.
In addition to Ellinikon, the students reflected on their visit to the Acropolis, where they marveled at the architectural ingenuity of the ancient structures. This convening marked a meaningful step in fostering dialogue between academia, industry, and local stakeholders, preparing the next generation of leaders to tackle the unique challenges of construction in historically rich environments.