"Return to Contracting": Memorandum of Understanding with TEES
In a move that transcends the traditional role of local contracting firms, Kuwaiti company Al-Ouda Contracting signed a memorandum of understanding with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the engineering research entity within the U.S. Texas A&M University System. This partnership marks the company’s transition from a local market executor to a research partner in engineering on the American stage.
The memorandum outlines cooperation in research and development of engineering and structural solutions designed to enhance the resilience of buildings and structures against climate-related risks and challenges in Texas, Florida, and California. These states are on the front lines of severe weather phenomena, ranging from hurricanes, storms, and floods to wildfires. Consequently, building resilience has become a top engineering and economic priority in the U.S. market, presenting a promising field for those offering viable solutions.
Abdullah Al-Ouda, the company’s CEO, stated, “This memorandum represents a landmark step for a Kuwaiti company. We do not simply import ready-made solutions; instead, we sit at the research table to participate in their creation. The executive expertise we have accumulated in the field since 2007 now converges with one of the most prestigious engineering research systems in the United States.”
Al-Ouda added that “building resilience against climate change is no longer an engineering luxury but has become a fundamental standard in the global construction industry.” He noted that the company began this practical path in 2015 by shifting toward sustainability and green buildings, developing field expertise in thermal insulation, resistance to wind and dust effects, and improving building energy efficiency. The collaboration with TEES is a natural extension of this direction, with the ultimate goal of creating structures that are more flexible, safe, and sustainable.
TEES is one of the government research agencies within the Texas A&M University System. Established in 1914 as part of the state university system in Texas, its mission focuses on applied engineering research, workforce development, and technology transfer to industrial sectors. In 2024 alone, it conducted research valued at approximately $300 million, covering areas such as infrastructure, energy, water, manufacturing, and the environment.
The partnership gains academic weight from the prestigious engineering reputation of Texas A&M University. In its latest rankings, U.S. News & World Report placed the university’s graduate engineering programs 14th nationwide and eighth among U.S. public universities.
