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New OU Engineering Building to Create Hub of Infrastructure Innovation

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Jeffery Volz, Associate Dean for Partnerships; Randa Shehab, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Faculty Development; Zahed Siddique, Associate Dean for Research; and John Klier, Dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering.
From left to right: Jeffery Volz, Associate Dean for Partnerships; Randa Shehab, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Faculty Development; Zahed Siddique, Associate Dean for Research; and John Klier, Dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering at the groundbreaking event.

New OU Engineering Building to Create Hub of Infrastructure Innovation


By

Kat Gebauer
kathryngebauer@ou.edu

Date

April 21, 2025

NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma Gallogly College of Engineering has broken ground on a new Infrastructure Innovation Building called I2B. This new facility will house transformative infrastructure research and education.

“We aim to bring together brilliant minds in engineering and artificial intelligence to collaborate on projects with the potential to transform transportation, enhancing safety and efficiency,” said Zahed Siddique, associate dean for research at the college.

The building on the south campus in Norman will also include dedicated areas for advanced mobility and energy storage, with labs focused on both research and education. The initial phase of the project will create approximately 20,000 square feet of space, with the potential for significant expansion.

According to John Klier, dean of the College of Engineering, I2B will help the college support a world-class faculty and attract exceptional students, fostering an environment that nurtures the growth of new technologies and new businesses in Oklahoma. “These research efforts will make significant contributions to student preparation and economic growth. We appreciate support from the state of Oklahoma and Dolese making these efforts possible,” Klier said.

The facility’s design will promote interdisciplinary collaboration across various sectors, with specialized labs dedicated to the research of unmanned vehicles, intelligent transportation systems and energy storage systems. As the infrastructure field evolves, I2B will provide the tools necessary to develop next-generation technologies.

Collaborations across the university, from architecture, arts and sciences, earth and energy, education, and atmospheric and geographic sciences and others, will explore finding solutions to the nation’s transportation challenges and will serve as a hub for innovative solutions for adaptive and cutting-edge infrastructure.

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.


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