The Louisiana Construction Education Trust Fund recently presented a gift in support of the Construction Management
College of Engineering Acquires Industry-Leading State-of-the-Art Surveying Technology for Construction Management Education
Wed, 07/01/2026 - 9:16am
The College of Engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has acquired a state-of-the-art Trimble surveying technology suite, providing students with hands-on experience using the same advanced technologies employed by leading construction firms on today's most complex projects.
The investment directly supports the College's Construction Management concentration, launched in Fall 2025 to address the growing demand for technology-driven construction professionals. It reflects the College's commitment to delivering an education where classroom instruction, field experience, and industry-standard technology come together to prepare graduates to become the next generation of construction leaders.
The newly acquired surveying and construction technology suite includes Trimble's advanced Robotic Total Stations, high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, 3D laser scanning technology, integrated field controllers, and Trimble Business Center software, complemented by industry-leading construction management platforms such as Oracle Primavera and Procore. Spanning from foundational tools to the most advanced platforms used in the field today, these technologies provide students with a complete field-to-office workflow, from surveying and site layout to 3D reality capture, project planning, and construction management, mirroring the workflows and technologies they will encounter throughout their professional careers.
As Louisiana's construction industry continues to adopt advanced surveying, reality capture, and modern construction technologies, employers increasingly seek graduates who can contribute from their first day on the job. This investment ensures that Construction Management students develop those skills in the classroom long before they enter the workforce.
The new capabilities will be integrated into courses, labs, and project-based learning experiences, serving as the foundation for the College's Construction Management Innovation Hub. The Hub will connect students with emerging technologies, immersive learning environments, and industry partnerships that prepare them for the future of construction.
"Construction is being transformed by technology," said Dr. Ahmed Khattab, Dean of the College of Engineering. "Our responsibility is to ensure our students graduate ready to lead that transformation. This investment allows them to learn with the same technologies they will use throughout their careers while reinforcing our commitment to producing workforce-ready graduates for Louisiana and beyond."
This transformational investment was made possible through the generosity of the College's alumni and supporters, together with an extraordinary partnership with Navigation Electronics, Inc. (NEI). More than an equipment provider, NEI worked closely with the College to help develop a technology ecosystem that reflects the evolving needs of today's construction industry. The College extends its sincere appreciation to Barbara Poché, President and CEO; William Poché, Vice President and Director of Sales; and Kelli Poché Guidry, Vice President and Director of Operations, for their vision and commitment to advancing engineering education. Recently acquired by Seiler Geospatial, NEI has built a long-standing reputation as a leader in surveying and geospatial technologies.
(Photo credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette)