Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Background

At the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE), we consider our architectural and engineering link between North America and Afghanistan to be our greatest strength. To successfully participate in the development of our homeland and elevate Afghan engineering capacities to international standards, SAE has collaborated with global academic institutions. One of our most enduring and prestigious academic relationships is with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Through the leadership of distinguished alumni, collaborative design competitions, and shared visions for sustainable urban development, our ties with MIT have profoundly shaped our efforts to empower Afghan professionals and rebuild Afghanistan.

MIT Alumni in SAE Leadership

We are incredibly proud that several of our key leaders and foundational members are MIT alumni. Their world-class education has directly informed our technical initiatives, capacity-building programs, and architectural planning efforts. Some of our prominent MIT graduates include:

• Najim M. Azadzoi, AIA: Our former SAE President earned his Master of Science degree in Architecture and Planning (SM Architecture) from MIT in 1984. He has been an instrumental figure in guiding our organization, has organized international conferences, and has spearheaded urban planning subcommittees.
• Professor Bashir Kazimee, AIA: Serving as the Chairperson of the SAE Architecture and Urban Planning Division, Professor Kazimee earned his M.Arch. (Advanced Study) from MIT in 1977. As a distinguished scholar and Professor Emeritus at Washington State University, his leadership has been vital in promoting sustainable architecture and heritage conservation in Afghanistan.
• Professor Rafi Samizay, AIA: A key member of our architectural team, Professor Samizay holds an M.Arch. (Advanced Study) from MIT, class of 1973. He has been a critical external supporter, advocate, and organizing member for our advanced architectural design studios.
• Dr. Reinhard Goethert: Earning his M.Arch. from MIT in 1970, Dr. Goethert is the Director of the SIGUS (Special Interest Group in Urban Settlement) Group at MIT, which focuses on housing and urban settlement. He officially joined our ranks as an SAE member in 2021 and has been an invaluable asset to our design and planning committees.

Collaborative Educational Initiatives: The Bamiyan Housing Competition

Our relationship with MIT extends beyond our alumni network into direct academic collaboration. A premier example of this is the Bamiyan International Student Design Competition, an ambitious initiative launched by our Architecture and Urban Design Subcommittee. The project’s goal was to design sustainable housing and infrastructure to rehouse the displaced families currently occupying the historic caves near the remains of the Bamiyan Buddha statues.

To elevate the educational impact of this competition, we actively engaged with prestigious foreign universities to encourage international interchange, learning, and collaboration. MIT was among the select few foreign institutions invited to participate alongside Afghan universities.

Dr. Reinhard Goethert represented the MIT School of Architecture as a core member of the Competition Organizer Committee and served as a crucial voice in guiding the initiative. Through this engagement, we were able to bridge the gap between Afghan students and global architectural best practices.

Recognition in the MIT Community

Our collaborative efforts have not gone unnoticed in the broader academic world. We were deeply honored when the Bamiyan International Student Housing Competition was featured in the November-December 2024 issue of the MIT Alumni News. The publication highlighted the extraordinary design initiative and proudly recognized the names of our three core MIT alumni who organized the effort.

A Shared Vision for the Future

As SAE has delivered technical services, promoted capacity building, and supported engineering institutions in Afghanistan, our ties with the MIT community have been a vital asset. The rigorous academic standards, innovative urban settlement strategies, and advanced design principles brought to SAE by our MIT alumni have helped us empower the next generation of Afghan engineers and architects.

We invite all professionals, students, and institutions who share our vision for a rebuilt and thriving Afghanistan to join our network. Together, we can continue to turn world-class education into impactful, on-the-ground realities.