Razavi named Chair in Heavy Construction

Heavy construction machinery may tower above her but Saiedeh Razavi will wield a great
deal of influence on their future use as the inaugural Chair in Heavy Construction at
McMaster University.

Razavi was officially named the chair holder at an announcement held today at
McMaster University. In attendance were representatives from many of the 13 regional
construction organizations that pledged more than $1.25 million over five years to
establish the Chair. The amount has been matched by the University.

Three other appointments were also formally announced to endowed chairs previously
established in the Department of Civil Engineering:

Razavi, who will start in her position as Chair on July 1, joins McMaster from Concordia
University where she has been working as a postdoctoral fellow. She will hold an
academic appointment in the Department of Civil Engineering with instruction
responsibilities at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as with the McMaster-
Mohawk Bachelor of Technology civil engineering technology program.

Razavi brings considerable experience in large scale industrial construction projects to
the position. She also has a keen interest in sensing and information technology for
construction and infrastructure management, logistics, and transportation. She earned
her PhD in civil engineering from the University of Waterloo, M.Sc. in computer
engineering (artificial intelligence) at Iran University of Science and Technology, and
B.Sc. in software engineering at Sharif University of Technology.

The Chair in Heavy Construction was established to provide leadership in advancing
innovation in the heavy-construction sector, attracting and developing talent, and
contributing to the advancement of a modern, durable and sustainable infrastructure in
Ontario. An advisory team from the heavy construction industry will be assembled by
the Chair to advise on priorities in these areas.

Organizations that pledged funding for the Chair were: Hamilton & District Heavy
Construction Association, Ontario Road Builders' Association, Ontario Sewer and
Watermain Construction Association, John Deere Foundation, Ministry of Transportation
Ontario, L.I.U.N.A. Local 837, Mechanical Contractors Association Hamilton,
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793, Bot Construction, Ontario
Concrete Pipe Association, Battlefield Equipment, Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain
Contractors Association, and the Heavy Construction Association Toronto.