Waheed Uddin Remembered as Trusted Mentor, Valued Colleague

A pillar of the University of Mississippi School of Engineering was lost in November with the death of Waheed Uddin, civil engineering professor and founding director of the university’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure Technology.

Previously a pavement expert for the United Nations, Uddin worked, lectured and made presentations in 28 countries. He had more than 30 years of professional experience in highways, airports, sustainable development and related areas of transportation engineering and infrastructure management, and was employed at UM since November 1991.

He was also associate director of the National Center for Intermodal Transportation for Economic Competitiveness, funded by a $6.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation – Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

Uddin’s death left friends and colleagues recalling his lasting legacy.

“Dr. Uddin was a pillar of the Ole Miss School of Engineering whose expertise in civil engineering infrastructure and transportation was responsible for hundreds of graduates finding successful careers around the world,” said Dave Puleo, dean of the School of Engineering.

“More importantly, Dr. Uddin was a trusted mentor and valued colleague to the students, faculty and staff. Our deepest sympathies are extended to his wife, sons and family at this time.”

Puleo fondly recalled attending the Mississippi Transportation Institute conference in Jackson with Uddin during his first semester on campus in October 2018.

“It was enjoyable meeting his numerous connections and seeing his extensive network of former students across the state,” he said. “He took great pride in them and their accomplishments.”

Yacoub Najjar, chair and professor of civil engineering, said Uddin was instrumental in his decision to work at the university.

“I came to Ole Miss in July 2012 and have interacted with Dr. Uddin every day since,” he said. “He has been an exemplary faculty member, and we loved him. He was a wonderful person who cared for people a lot.”

Cris Surbeck, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of civil engineering, said Uddin was instrumental in helping her family adjust to life in Oxford.

“Dr. Uddin and my father had known each other professionally for many years,” she said. “Shortly after my husband, son and I moved to Oxford, my parents came to visit. Knowing this, he and his wife, Juhee, hosted all of us in their home for an afternoon tea and coffee. We had a really pleasant time and learned about what life in Oxford would be like.”

Marni Kendricks, assistant dean for academics in the engineering school, said she had the privilege of a long journey with Uddin that originated with being one of his students in the mid-’90s to trusted friend and colleague in 2020. She shared a fond memory of when they went to lunch one day and stopped by her son’s house under construction at the time.

“Sam had hired contractor Josh Samuels to build his house with a full basement, a fairly uncommon design for Mississippi construction,” Kendricks said. “When Josh learned that his former assistant dean and civil engineering professor were coming by to check on the progress, I think he might have been a little apprehensive at first. But when Dr. Uddin enthusiastically gave his full approval, it was a good day for all. Sam took his advice to heart and incorporated every single suggestion. I enjoyed that day with my friend so very much.”

Rita Moura Fortes of Brazil, another former graduate student of Uddin’s, remembers him as “an icon” – not only in the transport infrastructure area but in everything in which he was involved.

“He always stood out,” she said. “Dr. Uddin received many awards, such as the School of Engineering Faculty Service Excellence Award in 2001 and the inaugural Epps/Dart Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007 and 2012 from the Deep South Section of Institute of (Transportation) Engineers, and had many award-winning papers at various conferences. He radiated knowledge, joy and willingness.”

Similar memories were shared by Jessica Dilley, another of Uddin’s former students.

“When I was in my undergraduate program, I worked as a student teacher for Dr. Uddin, working on the USAID/PAKAID project, which I then continued to work with him through my graduate program,” said Dilley, a 2014 alumna employed as a planning engineer at the Mississippi Department of Transportation and who was honored as the 2017 Mississippi Engineering Society’s Young Engineer of the Year.

“He was always making sure we were learning and developing not only as students but also as future professionals,” Dilley said. “He taught us how to think outside the box, thoroughly document our work and procedures, and that we were always more capable than we thought we were.”

Uddin received his doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, which inducted him into its Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2014. The award cites “recognition of a distinguished professional career and lifelong dedication to the support and advancement of engineering education.”

He also received his master’s degree from the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Karachi.

A prolific researcher, Uddin was chief editor of the International Journal of Pavements and the founding president of the International Society for Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Transport Infrastructures. He was also the author or co-author of several books, including “Infrastructure Management” (McGraw-Hill, 1997), which has been translated into Japanese and Chinese.

A private ceremony for Uddin was held Nov. 17 in Oxford. He is survived by his wife, Rukhsana “Juhee,” and their three sons: Omar, Usman and Asad. All were educated at UM during the last 28 years.