Washington State University (WSU)

Background

At the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE), we deeply value our collaborative ties with premier academic institutions around the world, including Washington State University (WSU). Our relationship with WSU is primarily anchored by our esteemed members and leadership who have studied and taught at this distinguished university. Through these ties, we have been able to bridge academic excellence in the United States with our reconstruction and educational efforts in Afghanistan.

Prominent SAE Leaders at WSU

One of our most significant links to Washington State University is through Professor Bashir A. Kazimee, an award-winning Professor Emeritus of Architecture at WSU’s School of Design and Construction. Professor Kazimee has been a cornerstone of our organization, and has actively contributed to our mission as the Chairperson of the SAE Architecture and Urban Planning Subcommittee. His expertise in sustainable development and traditional built environments has been an invaluable asset to our society, and his presence at WSU has helped forge a strong academic link between our initiatives and the university.

Additionally, our society is proud to count distinguished WSU alumni among our ranks. For instance, Dr. Azam Gul, a respected former professor at Kabul University and a dedicated supporter of SAE conferences, earned his Ph.D. from Washington State University. Dr. Gul’s extensive career in agronomic research and rural development in Afghanistan showcases the caliber of professionals shaped by WSU who have gone on to support our shared mission.

Collaborative Educational Initiatives

Our connection with Washington State University has extended into direct academic collaboration and student engagement. A prime example of this is the Bamiyan International Student Design Competition, a major initiative hosted by our Architecture and Urban Design sub-committee. The project aimed to design sustainable housing and infrastructure to rehouse war-displaced families occupying the historic caves near the destroyed Buddha statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.

Under the leadership of WSU’s Professor Kazimee, who served as the Team Leader and Chair of the Competition Organizer Committee, we extended invitations to select prestigious foreign universities to engage and compete alongside Afghan engineering and architecture programs. Because of our strong faculty ties, Washington State University was formally invited to participate in this international design competition, joining other elite institutions such as MIT, Harvard University, and the University of Hartford.

Through these educational goals, we strive to encourage collaboration, knowledge interchange, and cross-cultural learning between Afghan students and their peers at WSU and other leading global institutions. We look forward to continuing to build upon our relationship with Washington State University to empower the next generation of Afghan engineers and architects.