COLLEGE STATION, TX — The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents green-lighted plans for a new Health Sciences Education and Research Center and an expansion for the Western Hemispheric Trade Center at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) with a total planning amount of $71.2 million. The TAMIU go-ahead was part of more than $328 million in new construction approved by the Board of Regents.

TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz said the projects will be the latest additions to TAMIU’s 300-acre campus and will extend its teaching, service, and research capacity. Both projects include a 2023 start date.

“Specifically, the 57,000-square foot Health Sciences Education and Research Center will create an interactive clinical building that promotes learning and research within the health sciences, one of our fastest-growing study areas, through interaction with the public by TAMIU faculty and students," Arenaz said. "It will be a home for greater clinical/demonstration appointments for the community through public-facing communications disorders, kinesiology research, and community counseling centers.

“The 25,200-gross-square-foot expansion to the existing Western Hemispheric Trade Center will create an integrated business building serving as a hub for all campus and community A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business activities. The expansion will house resources for local and regional business leaders, and provide easy access and greater visibility for public-facing, and serving centers, increasing their use. It will also expand classroom and office space."

Arenaz observed that planning for the university’s continued growth is also on the horizon.

“We are currently completing a new master plan that will guide the university’s growth decades into the future, and look forward to sharing those visionary plans with our community in the New Year,” Arenaz said.

At this time, The Texas A&M University System has more than $4.1 billion in construction projects across the state of Texas in planning and design, construction, or development.