Biography

Biography

Dr. Rizwan U. Farooqui is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Building Construction Science at Mississippi State University. With over 26 years of combined academic, research, and industry experience across the United States, Pakistan, Singapore, Dubai, Qatar, and Ethiopia, Dr. Farooqui brings a global perspective to construction education and research.

He earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering with a focus on Construction Project Management from Florida International University, an M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management from the National University of Singapore, and a B.E. in Civil Engineering from NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan.

Dr. Farooqui’s research focuses on Construction 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence, building information modeling (BIM), digital twins, robotics, and wearable devices, with the goal of creating safer, smarter, and more sustainable built environments. His current projects include developing next-generation safety systems using AR/VR/MR and smart wearables, as well as advancing cyberinfrastructure training in construction safety education.

At Mississippi State, he plays a key role in shaping the future of construction education by leading the development of new academic programs, including a Master’s degree in Construction Management (launching Fall 2025) and a proposed Ph.D. program in Construction Management. Dr. Farooqui teaches undergraduate courses in construction management, project leadership, and virtual design while integrating cutting-edge tools and techniques into the curriculum.

Throughout his career, Dr. Farooqui has been deeply involved in fostering industry-academia collaboration, mentoring students, and driving innovation in construction safety and technology. His work has been recognized internationally through funded research projects, publications, and leadership roles in professional organizations and conferences.

  • Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Construction Project Management) - Florida International University, USA – 2011
  • M.S. in Construction Engineering and Management - National University of Singapore – 2001
  • B.E. in Civil Engineering - NED University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan – 1998

 

Mississippi State University (MSU), USA

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Building Construction Science (Aug 2024 – Present)

  • Research Associate III, Department of Building Construction Science (Jul 2023 – Jul 2024)

South Dakota State University (SDSU), USA

  • Visiting Professor / Temporary Instructor, Department of Construction & Operations Management (Jan 2023 – Jun 2023)

NED University of Engineering & Technology, Pakistan

  • Professor and Chairperson, Department of Civil Engineering (Dec 2019 – Dec 2022)

  • Director General, NED Academy (Apr 2016 – Dec 2022)

  • Director, Center of Professional Excellence (Jan 2016 – Dec 2022)

  • Director, Building Information Modeling Center (Sep 2016 – Dec 2022)

  • Founder and Focal Person, Construction Engineering & Management Group (Jan 2014 – Dec 2022)

  • Professor and Co-Chair, Department of Civil Engineering (Dec 2011 – Dec 2019)

  • Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering (Jun 2011 – Dec 2011)

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering (Jan 2002 – Jun 2011)

Industry and Consulting Roles

  • Project Manager (Advisory Role), TEAMS Consulting Pakistan (2002 – 2020)

  • Design Engineer, Meinhardt Singapore (Jan 2001 – Dec 2001)

  • Design Engineer, AA Associates, Karachi, Pakistan (Jan 1999 – Dec 1999)

Academic Roles in the U.S. (Prior to Ph.D. Completion)

  • Graduate Researcher & Adjunct Instructor, Department of Construction Management, Florida International University (Aug 2006 – Apr 2011)

  • Construction 4.0 and 5.0, particularly including:
    • Construction automation and robotics simulation
    • Machine Learning, AI, Sensors, Smart gadgets and IoT devices in Construction
    • BIM and Digital Twins in Construction
    • Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality Applications in Construction
    • Human-machine interaction and impacts
  • Sustainable; Smart, Safe and Resilient Built Environment
  • Incident and Injury Free Environment in Construction
  • Leadership in Construction
  • Construction Contracts and Claims
  • Best Value Procurement Strategies
  • Construction entrepreneurship.

  • Project Management Institute (PMI), USA

  • American Concrete Institute (ACI), USA

  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), USA

  • Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE International), USA

  • American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), USA

  • International Geosynthetics Society (IGS)

  • Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)

  • Institution of Engineers, Pakistan (IEP

  • Associate Editor, Frontiers in Built Environment – Building Information Modeling (BIM) Section (2025–Present)
  • Guest Editor, Special Issue on Digital Innovation Framework for Construction Management and Built Environment, MDPI Buildings Journal (2025–Present)
  • Technical Chair, Construction in the Twenty-First Century (CITC) Global Conference Series – Morocco 2025
  • Member, Advisory Committee of CITC Global Conference Series (2007–Present

    • Journal of Buildings (MDPI)

    • Journal of Built Environment, Project and Asset Management (Emerald)

    • Frontiers in Built Environment (Frontiers)

    • Journal of Public Works Management and Policy (SAGE)

    • CITC Global Conference Series

    • ASCE Construction Research Congress (CRC)

    • Creative Construction Conference (CCC)

 

  • NED (Pakistan) – Chair, Department of Civil Engineering
  • NED (Pakistan) – Co-Chair, Department of Civil Engineering
  • NED (Pakistan) – Director General, NED Academy
  • NED (Pakistan) – Director, Center of Continuing Education
  • NED (Pakistan) – Director, Building Information Modeling center
  • NED (Pakistan) – Director, Center of Professional Excellence
  • NED (Pakistan) – Focal Person, Construction Engineering and Management Group
  • MSU – Member, Building Construction Science Curriculum Committee
  • MSU – Member, CAAD BA Advisory Committee
  • MSU – Member, CAAD Curricula Task Force
  • MSU – Member, MSU Honor Code Council
  • NED (Pakistan) – Secretary, Advanced Studies and Research Board
  • NED (Pakistan) – Member, Library Committee
  • NED (Pakistan) – Chair, Board of Studies, Department of Civil Engineering
  • NED (Pakistan) – Member, Board of Faculty, Faculty of Civil and Petroleum Engineering
  • NED (Pakistan) – Member, Academic Council
  • NED (Pakistan) – Member, Senate
  • NED (Pakistan) – Member, Syndicate
Dr. Rizwan farooqui
Rizwan U. Farooqui, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Building Construction Science
College of Architecture, Art & Desig