Dr. Wai K. (Oswald) Chong, Assistant Professor
Construction and Architectural Engineering
Dept. of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering
University of Kansas
1530 15th St. 2150 Learned Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045
Tel: (785) 864-2891
Fax: (785) 864-5631
E-mail: oswald@ku.edu
Academic Qualification
Ph.D. (Civil Engineering), University of Texas at Austin (2005)
M.S., National University of Singapore (1999)
B.S., National University of Singapore (1997)
Research Interests and Projects
My main research interests are in Sustainable Design and Project Planning, Eco-efficiency, Technical Metabolism, Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Information, Socio-Economics of Eco-Efficient Communities, Corporate-Society Sustainability Interface, Life Cycle Performance, and Social and Human Dimensions, although I have secured or collaborated in projects such as Professional Development for the Estimating Professions, Traffic Engineering related research, Organizational Operations, and Highway Work Zones Research. My publications are mainly in the areas of building defects, sustianability, lean and sustainability, and social-human dimensions.
Working Experience
Assistant Professor, University of Kansas (2005 - Present)
Post-doctoral Researcher, University of Texas at Austin (2005)
Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at Austin (2002 - 2005)
Cost Control Engineer, GTM (1997 - 2002)
Research Scientist, NUS (2001 - 2002, part-time appointment)
Quantity Surveyor, First Surveying of Shanghai (1996 - 1997)
Other Important Information to Interested New Students
First and foremost, you will need to be academically prepared to take on challenging tasks of establishing new cutting edge research areas. My key research focus is in areas that are not yet established or is very new, but it is very challenging and requires extensive amount of efforts. I expect my students to be extremely committed to the good cause of the world. If organizations like Engineers Without Border, Social and Environmental Concerns, and Sustainable World spark something in you, I think you're a suitable candidate.
Courses Taught/Upcoming Courses
CMGT 709 Sustainable Construction
CMGT 400 Construction Administration
CMGT 700 Construction Project Management
CMGT 704 Construction Estimating and Bidding
ARCE 681 Architectural Design (Construction): Capstone
ARCE 357 Engineering Economics
CE 495 Multi-cultural Engineering Through Service Learning
CE XXX Courses coming soon: Socio-Engineering in Designs, Human and Social Dimensions in Building Designs
Services
Member, American Society of Civil Engineers
ASCE Construction Institute (Social and Environmental Concerns in Construction) - Secretary and ExComm Member
Chair, Social and Environmental Concerns in Construction's Sustainability Sub-Committee
USGBC (Kansas City) - Membership Committee
Member, TRB AFH 20 (Management of Quality Assurance)
Member, TRB AHD 10 (Maintenance and Operation Management)
Member, Construction Industry Institute (CII) Academic Committee
Faculty Advisor, Engineers Without Border (KU Chapter) - Founded in 2007 (really need to thank Jodi Gentry, the current President for taking on this huge initiative!)
Board Member, University of Kansas Center for Sustainability