SAE Newsletter – 2012-04 – Volume 2, Issue 2

Dear Colleagues:

This issue of the 2012 SAE eNewsletter (newsletter) features information about formation of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) Committees and appointments of new SAE Committee Leaders and Executive Committee members. The newly elected SAE Executive Committee officers and SAE Committee leaders will serve during 2012-2014 term.

There is an article about the history of the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University and its first Dean, Marhoom Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Qaissaunee.

There is an interview with Mr. Hasan Nouri, President of Fluvial Tech Inc and former professor of the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any questions or comments. Your opinions always count. I hope that you find the newsletter interesting and useful.

Very Truly Yours, Ghulam Mujtaba G. Mujtaba, MS- CE, P.E., CPM Editor-In-Chief, SAE eNewsletter

“The newsletter features information about formation of the Society of Afghan Engineers Committee leaders and appointments of the Executive Committee members.”

Greetings From The SAE President

Dear Members of the Society of Afghan Engineers:

During the last quarter, the President nominated the Executive Committee members and the leaders of a few Society Committees/ Subcommittees. The Board of Directors has approved the appointments of the nominees. The Committee leaders are from within and outside Afghanistan. A meeting of the Committee leaders was held to discuss the responsibilities of the SAE Committees/Subcommittees. During the meeting, the Board of Directors and Executive Committee members were invited. The leaders expressed their working plans, missions, comments, and suggestions. Accordingly, they will continue their activities by involving other volunteer members. They will report their activities to President, Board of Directors, and Society members.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members who have volunteered to serve as Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, and Board Counselors of these committees.

The two professional members of the Society of Afghan Architects and Engineers (SAAE), Ms. Dalia Akbarmir and Professor Jamil Khalid, from Afghanistan will be the participants of the UNESCO Fellowship program. Professor Jamil Khalid is the President of the SAAE and CEO of Crystal City Consultants. He is teaching architecture courses at the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University. Ms. Dalia Akbarmir is working as the Procurements Officer of NERAP-MoPW Kabul, Afghanistan. The two Afghan professionals will travel to Washington DC metro area and other cities of the United States. They are schedule to arrive in USA on April 21, 2012 and their program will continue for the duration of three weeks. The Executive Committee has prepared the itinerary of their programs. The American Society of Afghan Engineers and the Society of Afghan Engineers will coordinate their program by making arrangements with educational and engineering societies that they will visit. Afghan volunteers from DC metro areas are needed to accompany the two guests during their visits to different institutes. It will be appreciated if any volunteer can take one day from his/her busy schedule to assist in this program. The volunteers may contact Mr. Panjshiri, Vice President to be included in the list of volunteers of this program.

It is a privilege to mention that Mr. Naim Shahab has been appointed as the Manager of the Society to assist Membership Committee in their activities. He will perform these duties voluntarily without any compensation or other financial benefits.

The next step is the establishment/reestablishment of the Local SAE Chapters. The Board of Directors will perform this duty and subsequent to that the President nominates the Chairpersons of the Local Chapters. It should be noted that more volunteers are needed to serve as leaders and members of the committees/subcommittees. With your support we will be able to accomplish the Society’s established goals. Please send emails to Chairpersons of the Committee/Subcommittees if you want to participate as members in any of the formed committee/subcommittee of your expertise. We are hoping that all members become member of a committee. I am looking forward to the receipt of your suggestions.

Very Truly Yours, Ghulam Mujtaba G. Mujtaba, MS- CE, P.E., CPM President, the Society of Afghan Engineers

Responses To Readers’ Comments

The Executive Committee report indicates that Mr. Mohammad Azim Alozai has joined the Society of Afghan Engineers as a member. He is the Structural Design Code Officer of Afghan National Standard Authority (ANSA). During his membership he has been very active by sending emails. In his emails, he has expressed his comments and suggestions regarding the improvement of the Society activities. The following are the highlights of his correspondence of February 27 and 29, 2012:

Date: February 27, 2012 Dear Mr. Ghulam Mujtaba: Thanks for your kind consideration regarding acceptance of my application for SAE membership. I have received your welcome letter and I am proud to be a member of the Society of Afghan Engineers. Hopefully, I remain an active member of SAE team and pray for a bright future of the Society and its team members. Mohamad Azim Azlozai

Date: February 29, 2012 To: Ghulam Mujtaba, M.S, CE, P.E, CPM President, the Society of Afghan Engineers Dear Sir, First of all I am pleased to say that, Alhamdulillah it is a place of proud, that we have a society of Afghan engineers which is established in 1993 and looking for its more development to become an outstanding society in the row of engineering councils and associations globally. As a part of my suggestions for further improvement of SAE, I have outlined a few suggestions for your kind consideration:

1. Establishment of an SAE Office in Kabul and SAE Registration of the Engineering Companies
   If SAE establish a branch office here in Kabul and then with the passing of time in provinces and obtain a formal authorization from Afghanistan Government, as in other countries Engineering Societies or councils perform. The SAE will give registration to Afghan National, Foreign Engineers, and development NGOs and organizations, which are performing engineering services and activities here in Afghanistan as a pre-requisite item for their activities with the cost of minimum fees. For example: Those NGOs or Organizations which take part in contracts of engineering services projects must have SAE registration. Those engineers who are working in National or International NGOs or Organizations must have SAE registration. This SAE registration will be a one year registration and each year it must need renewal.
2. Training courses to members:
   The establishment of office will find a nice image in the country in the field of engineering because of: There will be a minimum annual fee at some cases. If SAE plan for training of engineers and academic sectors at National level it will play a nice role in the development of infrastructures sectors. Offer of the training at international level to society members in a quarterly and yearly basis. Taking an active participation and key role in the sector of engineering activities is essential for SAE. Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has vast participation in Pakistan Building Code.
3. Formation of a Structures Subcommittee
   I recommend that structures Subcommittee should be added to the list of the SAE Committees.

Looking for your kind consideration and hope a bright future for SAE. With thanks, Mohammad Azim Alozai Structural Design Code Officer Afghan National Standard Authority (ANSA) Cell no. +93 700017528; +92 3335259248 Email: mazimalozai@gmail.com

Responses:

Dear Alozai Sahib Salam: We are pleased to know that you have received the membership approval and President’s welcome letter. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the membership of the Society of Afghan Engineers and welcome you to the team. Thanks for your valuable suggestions and comments. You have suggested about:

• Opening of an SAE office in Kabul;
• SAE involvement in the registration of engineering companies in Afghanistan and code development;
• Training of SAE members; and
• Formation of SAE Structures Subcommittee.

It requires budget and manpower to open and maintain an office in Kabul and provinces. The opening of an office is the long-term goal of the Society and it is certainly in the Society’s plan. You have suggested SAE’s involvement in the registration of the engineering companies that work in Afghanistan. The governmental agencies develop and implement such registrations. The SAE is planning to form an Afghan Professional Regulations Subcommittee to provide any assistance and counseling that Afghan Government and other agencies need in this regard. The SAE Building Code Subcommittee has been formed. Mr. Najim Azadzoi is the Chairman of the Subcommittee and Mr. A. Manan Khalid serves as Board Counselor of the Subcommittee. I agree that on-the-job training courses should be offered to the engineers and other professionals in Afghanistan. The SAE is also planning to form the Capacity Building and Academic Development Subcommittee. After its formation, this Subcommittee will plan for such activities. In the past, SAE has offered training courses and in future it will continue to do so. You have also suggested the formation of a Structures Subcommittee. This suggestion will be discussed during the future meetings of the Board of Directors for consideration. Currently, SAE has included Roadway and Bridge Design and Specifications Subcommittee in its Manual. Once again, thanks for invaluable suggestions. Hopefully, that you and all other SAE members participate in one of the SAE Committees/Subcommittees. I am looking forward to the receipt of your articles, suggestions, and comments for improvement of the SAE and its publications.

Best regards, Ghulam Mujtaba SAE President and Editor-In-Chief

Technical News From Afghanistan

The Afghan professionals in Afghanistan and abroad are interested to learn about the rebuilding activities of infrastructures of their motherland. The newsletter Editorial Board recommends that Afghan professionals share the news of interest with their colleagues through SAE eNewsletter. The news may include a brief introduction of their company, educational institutes, project planning, design, and construction activities. In this issue of the newsletter the following articles are included:

Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University

By: Mohammad Mirwais, Head of Architectural Department of Kabul University

For the first time, Engineering Education was established within Kabul University in 1956. Prior to that, Afghan Engineers were trained in foreign countries, mainly in the United States of America and Western European countries. At start, only an engineering department was established in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. For the first time, 23 Afghan students enrolled in this newly established department, and on the basis of a contract between the government of Afghanistan and USAID, the partnership was given to Wyoming University. Further developments happened in 1958, where a joint institution named “Faculty of Agriculture and Engineering” with a four year program of study was established and replaced the engineering department of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. In 1959, only 4 students successfully completed their education and graduated with a degree of B.Sc. in general engineering field. In 1963, the joint institution was separated into two independent academic units under the name of the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Agriculture. In 1963 Dr. Qaissaunee was appointed as the first Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University. Also during 1963, the contract of Wyoming University was finished and United States Engineering Team, USET took the responsibility. This team consisted of Educating Development Center, Newton Center, Massachusetts with eleven other American Higher Education Institutes namely, Purdue University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Cincinnati, Carnegie-Mellon University, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lehigh

University, University of Notre Dame, Washington University (Saint Louis) and Rice University. Only Rice University later withdrew from the consortium. At separation, Faculty of Engineering had only two departments- Civil Engineering and Electro-Mechanical Engineering. In the same year, the credit system replaced the semester system which was in use from the beginning.

In 1964, the Department of Electro-Mechanical Engineering was separated to two departments- The Mathematics- Electrical Engineering –Physics Department (MEEP) and Mechanical Engineering- Chem. Department (ME-Chem). In 1966, Agricultural Engineering was established within the Civil Engineering Department. Also, in the same year, for the first time, female students enrolled in this college. In 1967, Department of Architecture was added. In the beginning a special exam was required to qualify students who wanted to study architecture. After two years (1969), some adjustments were made to accept students to the Department of Architecture at the beginning of the third semester.

From 1967 to 1978, a three month winter course for freshman students under the name of Pre-Engineering got started. Mostly, English, mathematics and some physics were taught to the students. In 1968, through a joint effort of government of Afghanistan and the United States of America, the first Seismic Center equipped with modern seismic instruments was established in the Faculty of Engineering. This was the first seismic center in the country. A Seismic Committee had the responsibility to operate, maintain, forecast and register all the activities of the center. In 1976, the contract was extended considering expansion and modernization of the mentioned seismic center. This center was active up to 1990.

In 1970, the four year program of study was changed to a five year program. The last group of four year program graduated in 1972, while the first group of five year program graduated in 1973. The five year program was designed to have nine semester and six months of practical training program. Also, in the 1970s, a center named –Center for Engineering Consultation, Scientific Advices and Applied Research (CECSAR) was officially opened within the Faculty of Engineering. The main objectives of this center were:

1. To give scientific and engineering advices to organizations and individuals.
2. To prepare engineering norms and standards.
3. To seek and find solutions to the engineering problems forwarded to the center.
4. To perform required laboratory tests for construction materials.
5. To perform, organize, facilitate and carry out research projects.
6. To design and evaluate governmental and private engineering projects.

This center was active up to 1981-the year at which Faculty of Engineering started a gradual abrogation. In 1974, USET contract concerning Engineering Partnership came to its end and Nebraska University took the place with limited support. In the same year a new department which was functioning at the Faculty of Education first, then at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, transferred to this college. The aim of this department was to educate vocational teachers for vocational schools in the field of Civil Technology, Electrical Technology, Machine Technology and Auto Mechanics Technology. This department was following a four years program.

In 1969, the annex building with 3000 Square meter foot print was constructed. Eight years later in 1977, the enrollment was suddenly increased to 1071, while prior to that it was from on average 100 to 150 students. This increase was in anticipation of growing construction work due the five years plan of the country. Due to regime change, Nebraska University Team left the country at the end of 1978.

From the early establishment and up to 1978, due to the deep attention of the government and cooperation and collaboration of various universities of the United States of America, this college was one of the top colleges in the region. Its diploma, B.Sc, was well known as a standard diploma, locally and internationally. The medium of teaching from the very beginning up to the year 1978 was in English. In 1978 its faculty consisted of 20 PhD holders, 25 M.Sc. holders and 20 B.Sc. holders. During this period, the following laboratories were functional and fully used by the students:

• EE Labs: Electronic Lab, Circuit Analysis Lab., Energy Conversion Lab., Power Lab., Physics Lab.
• ME Labs: General Mechanics Lab., Drawing Lab., Manufacturing Process Lab., IC Engine Lab., HVAC Lab., Chemistry Lab and Machine Shop.
• CE Labs: Strength of Materials Lab., Soil and Concrete Lab., Surveying Lab., Hydraulics Lab., Fluid Mechanics Lab., and Geology Lab.
• Architectural Studios: Architecture Studio, Design Studio.

In 1979, the medium of teaching was changed from English to official languages of Afghanistan- Dari and Pashtu. In 1981, gradual abrogation of this college started and last group of students graduated in 1985. Then, the door of this college was closed and the remaining professors were distributed to other colleges of the Kabul University. In 1989, restoration and rehabilitation process of the Faculty of Engineering started. In the year 1990, students started enrolling again and the academic activities started with very limited resources.

From 1992 to 1995 due to internal conflicts, however the door of this college was not closed officially, but the staff, administration and students were moving from one corner of the city to other corner. It was one of the worst academic eras for Afghanistan. During the years of internal conflict, most of the properties of this college were looted, destroyed or burnt. In 1996 to almost the end of 2001, female students were barred from schools and universities.

In 2002, after the establishment of the Interim Administration, the academic life of this college started reviving. It had 35 faculty members with 1 having PHD, 7 having M.Sc. degree and the rest B.Sc. degrees teaching 750 students in four departments. The building of this college was in a very poor condition and the classrooms had very limited number of chairs for students. After a while, with the help of government, private sectors and international agencies, the faculty started to revive.

Current Status

The re-born Faculty of Engineering has a 4 year curriculum except the department of architecture which still follows the five year program. Currently there are four departments, Civil, Mechanical, Architecture and Electrical Engineering. Pohanwal Abdul Hamid Layan is the Dean and Pohanmal Abdul Qauoom Karim is the Assistant Dean. Pohanyar Fraidoon Alkozai, Pohandoi Mohammad Homayoon Rasooli, Pohandoi Mohammad Idries Amiryar and Pohialai Mohammad Mirwais, respectively, serve as the heads of Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Architectural Departments. The current enrollment is 459 students with a goal of enrolling 300 new students for the new term. There are 52 faculty members with 3 PhD holders, 32 Masters Degree holders and 17 BS Degree holders. There are 25 faculty members pursuing higher degrees abroad.

Biography of the Author and Editor

Author: Pohialai Mohammad Mirwais The article is initiated by Mr. Mohammad Mirwais. Mr. Mirwais has received his bachelor degree in architecture from the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University in 1998. In 2009, he attended University of Florida’s on line post graduate construction management courses that were offered in the United States. He is the Head of the Department of Architecture Department of the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University.

Editor: Abdul Manan Khalid, M.S., P.E., LEED AP The review and editing of the article have been performed by Abdul Manan Khalid. Mr. Khalid graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering in January of 1981. He finished his Masters Degree in the field of Hydrology in the fall of 1984. He also completed post graduate studies in the field of Infrastructural Rehabilitation at Polytechnic University and Leadership at Baruch College, both in New York. He was a professor at the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University and is currently working as Managing Engineer, with the Department of Architecture and Engineering at NYC School Construction Authority. He is a Professional Engineer in the State of New York and a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction.

Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Qaissaunee, P.E, D.E.E. (1932-2001)

First Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University

B.S. (Honors), M.S., Highway Engineering, and Ph.D. Highway and Sanitary Engineering

By Barbara and E. Shawn Qaissaunee

Dr. Qaissaunee was born in Ghooryaun (Herat) Afghanistan on March 19, 1932. In 1952 while at the Afghan Institute of Technology, U.S.A.I.D./Afghanistan awarded him a scholarship to study engineering in the U.S. He received the B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering with honors at the University of Wyoming. He returned to Kabul in 1955 and became the Head of the Civil Technology department at A.I.T.

Granted additional scholarships by U.S.A.I.D., in 1958 he returned to the U.S. where in 1960 and 1962 respectively, he earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in Highway and Sanitary Engineering at the University of Illinois. In 1963 he became the first Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Kabul. He served in the position for most of the period from 1963-1970. After a little over a year, he became project engineer at Shore Engineering in Melfa, Virginia, and in 1974 took a position in Dover, DE with Edward H. Richardson Associates, where he became Head of Environmental Engineering.

While Abdul was Dean of the College of Engineering, a consortium of American universities was working with the college. One of those universities, Cincinnati, offered him the position of Visiting Professor beginning in January. Qaissaunee had an extensive teaching and professional career in the 1970’s and in 1979 he accepted a position with CABE Associates, Inc. and become an Associate in 1985 and Vice-President, full partner, and member of the Board of Directors from 1989 until his death in 2001. He was also an adjunct professor in the Environmental Sciences Department at Wesley College in Dover from 1985-2000.

Dr. Qaissaunee was a registered professional engineer (PE) in six states and a Diplomat in Environmental Engineering (D.E.E.) He was appointed to two terms on the Delaware Architectural Accessibility Board by then Governor Tom Carper. He was a lifetime member of the American Water Works Association, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Water Pollution Control Federation, the Delaware Society of Professional Engineers, and a member and Treasurer of the Kent County, Delaware Coin Club. He sponsored two Afghan cousins and their families, who had escaped from Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion. He was very proud of the fact that both of these families and their extended families are all working and doing very well.

Shorty after his passing, CABE Associates, Inc. established the “Qaissaunee Scholarship” at Wesley College to reward excellence in the study of Environmental Engineering and most recently, with generous support from the community, a room is being named for Abdul G. Qaissaunee in the newly built Dover Public Library.

Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University is Planning to Offer MS Degree in Engineering Management

Mr. Hamid Layan, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University has informed the Society of Afghan Engineers that the Faculty of Engineering is expanding by adding Engineering Management MS program as part of their curriculums. The SAE President has asked support from a few Afghan professors who are teaching in USA and United Kingdom to send the curriculums of the engineering management of their universities to Mr. Layan. Professors; Dr. Bahawodin Baha, Dr. Fazel Tawab Najafi, Dr. M. Yaqub Rafiq, Dr. M.Osman Tokhi, and Dr. Zarjon Baha have kindly responded by providing valuable comments and suggestions. Dean Layan and the SAE appreciate their prompt responses and valuable suggestions.

Announcement | Int’l Competition for National Museum of Afghanistan (IAIC_NMA)

A few members of the Society of Afghan Engineers have received an email from Mr. Javid Rameen, dated March 8, 2012. He has forwarded Mr. Sayed Rohullah Majidi’s email regarding the

Announcement for the Competition for National Museum of Afghanistan

Mr. Sayed Zabihullah Majidi is the Director of Architecture and Design S.E.E. Office for Architecture and Design. His email reads:

“I am pleased to inform you that on behalf of the Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture, representing the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and with the support of the Government of the United States of America and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, our office, S.E.E. | office for architecture and design, announces and promotes an International Architectural Ideas Competition. We invite architects, engineers, planners, designers and artists around the world to submit design proposals for the new National Museum of Afghanistan. The competition is a one-stage ideas competition to generate design proposals for an architectural master plan and detailed building design for the site of the National Museum of Afghanistan. While it is expected that in the future a new museum will be designed and built according to international standards, this ideas competition shall help to visualize what a modern museum in the 21st century in context of today’s Afghanistan will look like. A prestigious Jury will review the entries and lucrative prizes will be awarded. This is the first time an architectural competition of this dimension is announced from inside Afghanistan, and inviting the whole world to participate. It is clearly a one time opportunity, but not only from an artistic architectural perspective, it goes far beyond any other ideas competition. It will stand as a strong symbol for a peaceful re-construction of Afghanistan, for its people to unite, and offers everybody to learn about and enjoy the remarkable cultural heritage our precious country holds as part of the world heritage. We would very much appreciate if you would help to spread the word, and share this invitation and the attached official announcement with your family, friends and colleagues. For further details, please refer to the competitions’ official website at: http://www.see.af/ideascompetitionnma.html.

Sincerely yours, Zabi Sayed Zabihullah Majidi Director | Architecture and Design S.E.E. | office for architecture and design sustainability + energy + environment M + 93.706.560.190 eMail zmajidi@see.af ”

Afghan Professional Community News from Abroad

The Afghan professional community news and other topics of interest from abroad are as follows:

Election/Appointments of the Executive Committee of the Society of Afghan Engineers

In the last issue of the newsletter, the newly elected Chairman and members of Board of Directors were introduced. This issue of the newsletter provides information about new Executive Committee. During the 2011 election year of the Society of Afghan Engineers, Mr. Mujtaba was elected by the Society members as their President. The elected President will serve for three-year term, from 2012 to 2014. He nominated Mr. Atiq Panjshiri as Vice President; Mr. Jawad Ibrahim as the Treasurer; and Mr. Luis Durani as the Secretary of the Society of Afghan Engineers. Their appointments were approved by the Board of Directors. The following pages provide the biographies of the Executive Committee.

Ghulam Mujtaba, M.S, CE, P.E, CPM President, the Society of Afghan Engineers Editor-In-Chief, SAE eNewsletter Phone: (352) 377-5497 (Residence) E-Mail: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net Florida Department of Transportation State Prestressed Concrete Engineer Phone: (352) 955-6685 (Office) E-mail: Ghulam.Mujtaba@dot.myflorida.com

Mr. Mujtaba is born in Logar Province of Afghanistan. He attended Khoshi Elementary School, Ebniseena Middle School, and Afghan Institute of Technology High School. He received his B.S. degree in civil engineering from Kabul University in 1969, M.S. degree in civil engineering from University of Cincinnati in 1972, and public manager certificate from the Florida Center for Public Management at the Florida State University in 2002. He is former professor of Civil Engineering Department of Kabul University and Geotechnical Engineer of Water and Power Company of Afghanistan (WAPECA). Mr. Mujtaba started his work in Florida, USA, as an Environmental Specialist in charge of the District Groundwater activities of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and then as Civil Engineer with Wingerter Laboratories. During the last 24 years of his career service in Florida, he has been working in different positions with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). He started his work with District 2 as the District Concrete Engineer and continued as the Construction Project Manager/Engineer. Since 2007, he has been working with FDOT Central Office, first, as the State Concrete Materials Engineer and then as State Prestressed Concrete Engineer. In the past, he has served as member of a few technical societies; including American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); American Welding Society (AWS); Southeast Asian Society of Soil Engineering; American Society of Foundation Engineers (ASFE); Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Technical Review Committee for High Performance Bridge Projects; and American Concrete Institute (ACI). Currently, he is an active member of American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI), and National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSABA). He has worked as the member of the Board of the Board of Directors of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) since 2004 and as the Chairman, Board of Directors from 2009-2011. Currently he is working as the SAE President and Editor-In-Chief of the SAE eNewsletter. After his official working hours with Florida Department of Transportation; he has occasionally been involved in teaching ACI; PCI; and University of Florida/FDOT inspector/technician training courses. He is certified ACI and PCI trainer and examiner.

Atiq Panjshiri Vice President, the Society of Afghan Engineers Phones (res.): (703) 913-1966 (Office): (240) 777-635 (Mobile) :( 703) 407-2600 E-Mail: atiqpanjshiri@yahoo.com

ATIQ PANJSHIRI is Manager at Division of Land Development at Montgomery County Government, Maryland. He is born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mr. Panjshiri has been living in the United States since 1981. He obtained his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1988. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Panjshiri served as Treasurer and Board member of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE). He is the Founding President of the Afghan American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). He is the CEO and partner of United Insurance and Financial Services, Inc., which provides insurance, financial services, and corporate accounting services for clients in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. In 1998, he co-founded the Afghan Sports Federation (ASF) and has served as its Treasurer and Executive Vice President. Mr. Panjshiri participated in the history making, first Afghan nationwide general assembly “Loya Jirga”, which was held in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2002. He was one of the five elected representatives of the Afghan-American community in the United States. Also in 2002, along with other businesspersons, including women, he was instrumental in the establishment of AACC. In the same year, he was elected as the founding President of AACC and served the organization as its Founding President and CEO from it inception until 2008. Mr. Panjshiri has over twenty years of management experience in private and public sectors; served in several non-profit organizations of USA as part of their management team over the past fifteen (15) years.

Luis Durani Secretary, the Society of Afghan Engineers Phone: (951) 760-3095 E-mail: durani2424@gmail.com

Mr. Luis Durani graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (cum laude) and B.A. in Political Science (cum laude). Then he followed this up with a M.S. in nuclear engineering while being employed with Bechtel in the Yucca Mountain Project. After the project was stalled he moved to Lynchburg, VA to work for AREVA as a nuclear engineer. While in Lynchburg, Mr. durani attained a MBA. In addition, he wrote and published a book, entitled “Afghanistan: It’s No Nebraska, how to deal with a tribal state”. Mr. Durani is currently the Secretary for the Society of Afghan Engineers. He is also the elected chair for the North American Young Generation Nuclear chapter at AREVA, which has about 200 members. He is the founder and chair for the AREVA Toastmasters chapter. Mr. Durani is also a member of Engineers without borders, American Nuclear Society, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His hobbies involve any kind of sports in his free time.

Jawad Ibrahim Treasurer, the Society of Afghan Engineers Mr. Ibrahim’s biography may be provided at future issues.

The Committee Leaders of the Society of Afghan Engineers

The SAE President nominated a few volunteer members as the Committee/Subcommittee leaders of the Society of Afghan Engineers. Their appointments were approved by the Board of Directors. The SAE eNewsletter Editorial Board members would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the appointments of the Committee leaders and thank them for volunteering to serve as the leading team members of the Society. The following are the names, positions, phone numbers and email addresses of the Committee/Subcommittee leaders.

Executive Committee

• President: Ghulam Mujtaba | Phone: (352) 377-5497 | Email: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net
• Vice President: Atiq Panjshiri | Phone: (703) 407-2600 | Email: atiqpanjshiri@yahoo.com
• Treasurer: Jawad Ibrahim | Phone: (703) 929-3718 | Email: jihai04@aol.com
• Secretary: Luis Durani | Phone: (703) 407-2600 | Email: atiqpanjshiri@yahoo.com

Corporation Committee

• Chairperson: Sohaila S. Shekib | Phone: (703) 865 -7630 | Email: sohaila@saniecg.com
• Vice Chairperson: Yaqub Munir | Phone: (516) 568-1212 | Email: jmunir@hitech-eng.net

Membership Committee

• Chairman: M. Saber Sarwary | Phone: (650) 740-7370 | Email: SSarwary@redwoodcity.org
• Manager: Naim Shahab | Phone: (925) 3256234 | Email: naim.shahab@gmail.com

Communication and Public Information Committee

• Chairperson: Samay Stanackzai | Phone: (916) 478-4464 | Email: samaymstanackzai@dot.ca.gov
• Board Counselor: M. Saleh Keshawarz | Phone: (860) 768-4032 | Email: keshawarz@hartford.edu
• Member: Mehdi Sabet | Phone: 971 50 293 1953 | Email: msabet52@gmail.com

SAE Electronic Newsletter Subcommittee

• Chairperson and Editor-in Chief: Ghulam Mujtaba | Phone: (352) 377-5497 | Email: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net
• Board Counselor and Editor: Abdul Manan Khalid | Phone: (917) 753-3114 | Email: Manank10@gmail.com
• Editor: Abdul Wahed Hassani | Phone: (516) 568-0106 | Email: awhassani@gmail.com
• Editor: Mohammad Mirwais | Phone: TBD | Email: mirwaisarchitect@gmail.com
• Editor: Daod Mohammad | Phone: (674) 839-8294 | Email: dmohammad@suncor.com

Public Relations Subcommittee

• Chairperson: Nazeer Babakarkhial | Phone: (510) 888-1202 | Email: engineernaz@aol.com
• Board Counselor: M. Hashim Rayek | Phone: (703) 961-9264 | Email: rayekfamily@gmail.com

Technical Affairs Committee

• Chairperson: Hasan Nouri | Phone: (949)633-5035 | Email: nouri222@cox.net
• Board Counselors: A.H. Farid Kazi | Phone: (267) 210-8295 | Email: ahfkazi@gmail.com; M. Nagib Poya | Phone: (925) 597-1834 | Email: mohammad_poya@dot.ca.gov

Environmental Engineering Subcommittee

• Volunteers are needed to serve as the Subcommittee leaders.
• Board Counselor: Abdul Saboor Rahim | Phone: (559) 271-5260 | Email: asrengineering@sbcglobal.net

Architectural Subcommittee

• Chairperson: Najim Azadzoi | Phone: 617-558-4144 | Email: azadarch@aol.com
• Vice Chairperson: Mehdi Sabet | Phone: 971 50 293 1953 | Email: msabet52@gmail.com

Building Code Subcommittee

• Chairperson: Najim Azadzoi | Phone: 617-558-4144 | Email: azadarch@aol.com
• Vice Chairperson: TBD | Phone: TBD | Email: TBD
• Board Counselor: A. Manan Khalid | Phone: (917) 753-3114 | Email: Manank10@gmail.com

SAE/AGA Liaison Subcommittee

• Chairperson: Atiq Panjshiri | Phone: (703) 407-2600 | Email: atiqpanjshiri@yahoo.com
• Vice Chairperson: A. Hadi Rakin | Phone: 93(0) 700-553755 | Email: ahrakin@gmail.com
• Board Counselor: M. Hashim Rayek | Phone: (703) 961-9264 | Email: rayekfamily@gmail.com

Agricultural Subcommittee

• Chairperson: Abdul Karim Yusufzai | Phone: (916) 341-5742 | Email: AYUSUFZAI@waterboards.ca.gov
• Vice Chairperson: TBD | Phone: TBD | Email: TBD
• Board Counselor: Amanullah Mommandi | Phone: (303) 756-2323 | Email: mommandia@yahoo.com

Water Resources Subcommittee

• Chairperson: Abdul Karim Yusufzai | Phone: (916) 341-5742 | Email: AYUSUFZAI@waterboards.ca.gov
• Vice Chairperson: TBD | Phone: TBD | Email: TBD
• Board Counselor: Amanullah Mommandi | Phone: (303) 756-2323 | Email: mommandia@yahoo.com
• Board Counselor: M. Hashim Rayek | Phone: (703) 961-9264 | Email: rayekfamily@gmail.com

City Planning Subcommittee

• Chairperson: Najim Azadzoi | Phone: 617-558-4144 | Email: azadarch@aol.com
• Vice Chairperson: Mehdi Sabet | Phone: 971 50 293 1953 | Email: msabet52@gmail.com

Volunteers are needed to serve in the following Committees/Subcommittees:

• Finance Committee
• Capacity Building and Academic Development Subcommittee
• Conference and Training Subcommittee
• Student Subcommittee
• Advisory Subcommittee
• Publications Subcommittee
• Website Development and Maintenance Subcommittee
• Roadway and Bridge Design and Specifications Subcommittee
• Materials Specifications and Test Methods Subcommittee
• Environmental Engineering Subcommittee
• Afghan Professional Regulations Subcommittee

*Dean Dr. Yar M. Ebadi has volunteered to serve as the Board Counselor of the Capacity Building and Academic Development Subcommittee; Student Subcommittee; and Advisory Subcommittee. Please contact the Chairpersons of the Committees or SAE President, Ghulam Mujtaba at Email: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net if you are interested to serve your Society as its Committee/Subcommittee leaders.

Afghanistan Mineral Deposits

The website of the Afghanistan Embassy in Washington DC has included a report from Washington DC, dated March 5, 2012. The report indicates that an official delegation led by H.E. Wahidullah Shahrani, Minister of Mines, visited Washington from February 29 until March 3 to discuss the future of Afghanistan’s mineral resources industry with American officials and private investors. The report adds

that the delegation has met with officials from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Minister Shahrani has encouraged private investment in the mining sector in Afghanistan. He has mentioned that “There has been a tremendous amount of interest and activity in the Mining Sector in Afghanistan. U.S. Geological Survey data indicates that Afghanistan may hold unexplored mineral deposits worth as much as $1 trillion dollars. The government of Afghanistan has estimated the figure as high as $3 trillion dollars.” The report mentions that “The Government of Afghanistan looks forward to future cooperation between the U.S. Government and the Afghan Ministry of Mines. Furthermore, the Afghan Ministry of Mines is eager to continue its engagement with private sector investors in the U.S.”. The details of the report and additional information may be viewed at the following website of the Afghanistan Embassy, Washington, DC: http://www.embassyofafghanistan.org/

Conference, Gala, and Meetings

Mr. Hasan Nouri, Chairman of the Technical Affairs Committee of the Society of Afghan Engineers, reported of the following upcoming engineering events:

The 6th International Conference on Scour and Erosion (ICSE-6 2012) will be held in Paris, France on August 27-31, 2012. During ICSE-6 2012, Mr. Nouri will deliver a presentation on Sediment Management in Reservoirs of Afghanistan. He had delivered the same presentation at the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) in Kabul in November 2011. The details of the Paris conference may be viewed at the following website: http://www.icse-6.com/register-7.html.

The annual gala for the Rebuild Afghanistan Summit (RAS) will be held at UCLA in Los Angeles on April 1, 2012. Mr. Nouri serves as the Associate Executive Director of RAS in Southern California.

Dr. Azad Mohammadi, the Director of Water Resources of the Ministry of Energy and Water of Afghanistan will deliver a luncheon presentation at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in Irvine, California on April 5, 2012. The title of his presentation is Challenges and Opportunities of Water Resources in Afghanistan. He also participated in a panel in the conference of Engineers Without Borders in Las Vegas on March 22-24, 2012.

For more information about the aforementioned events, you may contact Mr. Hasan Nouri at: Address: 310 Avenida Del Mar, Suite 6 San Clemente, CA 92672 Email: 222nouri@gmail.com Phone: (949)633-5035

Interview with Professor M. Hasan Nouri, P.E., Hoover Medalist

By: A. Wahed Hassani, PhD, P.E, MASCE

Mr. Hasan Nouri has over 35 years of professional engineering experience in river engineering, sediment transportation, flood control and drainage, fields in which he has directed and managed numerous planning and design projects. He is the winner of six awards by five national engineering societies. In 1996, he became the fifty-sixth winner of the Hoover Medal and was named as the Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Los Angeles Section. He is the Co-founder of the ASCE/Los Angeles Section, Hydrology & Hydraulics Technical Group and the inventor of the Hydraulic Oscillating Diverter. The Hydraulic Oscillating Diverter diverts urban runoff to a treatment facility while permitting bypass of clean water, sand, and gravel to the streams and beaches.

An interview was held with Mr. Nouri, former professor of the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University, founder and past President of Rivertech Inc., and currently President of Fluvial Tech Inc. The following are the interview questions/discussions (Q) and Mr. Nouri’s responses (R):

Q: It is a pleasure and a honor to get the opportunity to have an interview with you. First of all I would like to thank you for the time that you have taken from your busy schedule to have an interview for SAE eNewsletter. I would like to begin by asking you to please tell the readers briefly about yourself.

R: My background is briefly described above. I have completed high school first in Holland Park School in London, UK and then at Afghan Institute of Technology (AIT) in Kabul. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (1967) and Postgraduate Diploma in Hydraulic Engineering (Equivalent to M.S.), UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education, Delft, Holland (1971). During 1968 and 1969, I was teaching at the Faculty of Engineering in Kabul. After 1969, I have lived in Holland and then in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. In 1975, I moved to California, and since then, I have been working for Camp Dresser & McKee (CDM), Rivertech, URS Corporation and FluvialTech. In 1984 as a volunteer during Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, I cofounded the International Medical Corps (IMC) with Dr. Robert Simon who was the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UCLA at that time. After Afghanistan, IMC became a worldwide humanitarian organization and currently has a budget of about $64 million a year. In 1992, at the beginning of the civil war, I went to Jalalabad and started the school for the International Orphan Care (IOC) which is still operating successfully. In 1996 because of my contributions to humanity and to the profession of engineering, I was awarded the Hoover Medal. Other recipients of the Hoover Medal include Presidents Hoover, Eisenhower and Carter. In 1996, I also got the award of Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Q: When were you serving in Kabul University and what type of position you had?

R: I was serving at the Faculty of Engineering in 1968 and 1969 and was teaching Freshman Pre-Engineering Courses.

Q: You traveled many times back to Afghanistan? What was the purpose of your trips?

R: During Soviet occupation, I used to go to our homeland as a volunteer to inspect the clinics operated by IMC. Those clinics were operating by our Medics that were trained by volunteer American doctors and nurses in Peshawar, Pakistan. At the beginning of IMC, we used to send American doctors and nurses inside Afghanistan, where two of them lost their lives. In February of 1992, three weeks after the collapse of Nagib government and before the civil war I went to Kabul on the first non-Communist plane with three IMC volunteers. The purpose of that trip was to investigate how we can help Afghanistan after the Communist government. During Christmas of 1992, I went to Jalalabad and started the school of International Orphan Care (IOC). During the civil war and after starting the school for the orphans, I used to go to Jalalabad to inspect our school. In 2005, 2010 and twice in 2011, I went to Afghanistan to inspect our orphan school and investigate possibility of getting engineering contracts. My trips in 2011 were to facilitate an Online Engineering University in Afghanistan through USAID. Dr. Afzal Aslami, Professor Saboor Rashidi who were also teaching at the Faculty of Engineering in 1968 and 1969 and I were trying to start the Online Engineering University. Unfortunately, our proposal was not approved by USAID.

Q: You have been a professor, a professional Engineer, a humanitarian activist and you have written many beneficial articles and papers. Can you tell us how many of your articles and papers have been published?

R: There have been numerous newspaper articles about my humanitarian work described above. I should also mention that since 1993 I have been active in the establishment of peace in Afghanistan consistent with the Three Phase Peace Plan by the Late King Zahir Shah. That peace plan was supported by Congressmen Royce and Rohrabacher, and through that process, I have testified in the U.S. Congress three times and once in the Senate. Unfortunately, we failed and the tragedy of 911 happened. That activity also added to the publication of newspaper articles. In addition, I have at least 10 engineering papers that have been published on hydrology, hydraulics and sediment transportation.

Q: Please let us know about types of work that your company performs, your company organizational structures, headquarter, branch offices, and number of employees in each offices.

R: My company, the Rivertech Inc., that I started in 1983 was located in Newport Beach, California and at one time, it had 9 employees. Dr. Soorgul Wardak who also taught at the Faculty of Engineering worked with me at Rivertech Inc. Abdullah Etemadi who is a well known Architect and used to be our student at the Faculty of Engineering also worked with me at Rivertech. Another person who was my Partner at Rivertech was Tamim Atayee. Most of our work involved hydrology, hydraulics and sediment transportation. In 2010, unfortunately due to bad economy, I had to end with Rivertech and start my one man company of FluvialTech Inc.

Q: Please provide us a few examples of the projects that your company has performed, especially the projects that you have been involved as the principal designer and project manager.

R: Since 1983, I have completed many studies on river and stream restorations, sediment management in reservoirs and drainage studies for new developments. The two famous developments in California that I did the Runoff Management Plans were the $1 billion Newport Coast Development in Newport Beach and the $1.5 billion Ladera Ranch Development in South Orange County. Both projects have won many awards. I also serve as an Expert Witness in court proceedings involving flood damages. One of the cases that I served as Expert Witness was the $1 billion lawsuit of DuPont vs. Fifteen Insurance Companies. The damages had occurred in the States of New York, New Jersey and Delaware.

Q: It is very impressive to know about the projects that your company has successfully completed. What has been the key to the success of your company?

R: The key to the completion of a successful project is the ability to communicate with our clients and regulatory agencies. Furthermore, professionalism and honesty are the foundation of a successful project.

Q: What do you think about the application of these types of projects in Afghanistan?

R: Unfortunately, in Afghanistan under current conditions because of the lack of honesty, it is difficult to implement a successful project as we can do one here in America. However, it is our responsibility as engineers to complete projects in Afghanistan with professionalism and honesty. With proper government enforcement in the future, we hope to succeed.

Q: How could Afghan professional organizations abroad help better in the reconstruction of our beloved country?

R: Under current conditions, I believe the best way to serve our beloved homeland is to team up with some of the American consulting firms, USAID and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Currently, as a volunteer I serve as the Associate Executive Director of Rebuild Afghanistan Summit (RAS) in Southern California. I am relatively new with the organization. We have our Southern California Annual Gala on April 1 at UCLA. I understand there are other chapters of RAS in Northern California and Washington, D.C. I believe a new chapter is about to start in Germany. I recommend the professional organizations to get involved with the RAS. For more information please go to the website of www.afghansummit.org

Q: Recently, you had a presentation on sediment management in reservoirs of Afghanistan, at Ministry of Energy and Water in Kabul and also you have been involved in many sediment control projects. The mountainous nature of Afghanistan is the main source of many sediment problems for dams and reservoirs in Afghanistan. What is your involvement in solving these problems and, what is your advice for Afghan Engineers in resolving these issues?

R: There are many alternatives to manage sediment in reservoirs. Reservoirs of the world are filling up with sediments, and it has become a worldwide problem. In Afghanistan the problem of reservoir sedimentation has become significant because of 34 years of war and lack of sediment management. A brown river transports sediment, the existence or deficiency of which must never be neglected. Since sediment management in the reservoirs of Afghanistan exists now and will continue, I recommend that Afghan Engineers study and learn this field. I am hoping to get involved in studying sediment management in some of the reservoirs of Afghanistan. That was another purpose of my trip to Kabul last November.

Q: You have received numerous awards during your outstanding engineering career and humanitarian activities. Can you name a few of your famous awards for our readers?

R: I have mentioned the Engineer of the Year Award and the Hoover Medal Above. Some of the others are:

• Founding Father Award, ASCE Los Angeles Section, Hydrology & Hydraulics Technical Group (2006)
• Ronald Reagan Gold Medal awarded by the National Republican Congressional Committee (2004)
• Service to Orphans Award by the Afghan American Youth Council (November 2003)
• Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Episcopal Service Alliance (ESA) (2001)
• Ambassador of Peace Award by the Violence Prevention Coalition of Orange County (2000)
• Engineer of the Year Award by the ASCE, Orange County Branch (1996).
• Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award by Orange County Engineering Council (1996).
• Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award, Los Angeles Council of Engineers & Scientists (1994)
• Merit Award by the ASCE, Orange County Branch (1989).
• Merit Award by the American Society of Landscape Architects for developing the restoration plan of National Audubon Society’s Ballona Wetland (1988).

Q: You have invented a device “Hydraulic Oscillating Diverter“, I will appreciate if you can briefly explain this and other similar achievements.

R: Beginning in the early 1990s many States in America required that pollutants transported by stormwater must be treated so that streams, rivers, beaches and other U.S. waters are not polluted. I invented this device to manage stormwater as follows:

• Divert the polluted water into a water storage basin to be treated
• Bypass the clean water, sediment, sand and gravel to the downstream reaches.

Q: At this point, I should mention my experience along the Kabul River last May. I was in Kabul for two weeks and stayed at my cousin’s house adjacent to Kabul River in Karti Sey. One day, I took my camera and walked along the river all the way to the Ibni Sina Hospital for a distance of about 4 miles. I noticed many homes adjacent to the river were releasing their human waste into the river. That shocked me because when I was a kid and lived next to the Kabul River, no one would release his or her waste into the river. It was against God’s well and as said In Farsi: GONAH DARAD. I noticed that boys were swimming in the polluted water. I took a lot of pictures of the river and was saddened by what I observed. Below are the pictures of the boys swimming in the polluted water. I came home that night and got sick and had high fever. My invention would prevent that kind of pollution. Distant and close views of boys swimming in the polluted Kabul River.

Q: You have been an active member of the ASCE and many other professional organizations. Please tell us about these Associations and your level of involvement with them.

R: Yes, I have been a very active member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) both in California and nationally. I have delivered numerous presentations, submitted papers for publication and I am the Cofounder of the ASCE Hydrology and Hydraulics Technical Group (HHTG) in Los Angeles.

Q: Do you have any message for Society of Afghan Engineers and other readers of the SAE eNewsletter?

R: My message to the members of the SAE is to do whatever you can to help our homeland and be an honorable citizen in America.

Q: Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experience with the readers of the newsletter. I congratulate you for your outstanding accomplishments and your lifetime of experience and success. All Afghans, especially the Society of Afghan Engineers are very proud of your invaluable achievements. Finally, what advice would you offer to the expatriate professionals and the members of the Society of Afghan Engineers to better help in the reconstruction activities of Afghanistan?

R: The best way I can respond to the members of the SAE is a poem by Albert Pike: “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal”. Based on that poem whatever we have done for the country of our birth Afghanistan and our adapted country of America remains and is immortal. “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal”.

Membership News

In this section the news about the new members will be provided.

New Members

The Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) welcomes Mr. M. Hasan Nouri and Mr. Mohammad Azim Alozai who joined the Society. Mr. Nouri is the former professor of the President of Fluvial Tech Inc. He is the founder and past President of Rivertech Inc. and former professor of the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University. An interview with Mr. Nouri is included in this issue of the newsletter. Mohammad Azim Alozai is the Structural Design Code Officer of Afghan National Standard Authority (ANSA). Mr. Alozai’s comments and suggestions are included in the Responses to Readers’ Comments Section of this issue of the newsletter.

Membership Renewal 2012

The attached form includes application for the new members and membership renewal. The application forms may be viewed at SAE website. The members are requested to take a few minutes of their time to inform the Society by sending their updated contact information. The completed application/renewal forms may be mailed to Mr. Jawad Ibrahim at P.O. Box 11520, Burke, Virginia 22009-1520

Achievements and Awards

The newsletter will inform their readers of winners of awards or any other successes of Afghan professionals and students, especially, their Society members. You can help the SAE eNewsletter editors by providing the news of the achievements, award winners, and any other success stories. In this issue the achievement of an SAE Member, Dr. Buahaudin Mujtaba, will be introduced.

Bahaudin G. Mujtaba, D.B.A., professor of management at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University, presented two papers on March 13, 2012 in an international conference in Bangkok, Thailand. He is coauthor of two research papers with faculty colleagues from United States, United Kingdom and Thailand. Both of the papers won the “Best Paper” awards. The papers were published in the conferences proceedings and will be published in their journal later this year. The following is the reference for the papers.

• Cavico, F. J., Muffler, S. C. and Mujtaba, B. G. (2012). Appearance Discrimination, “Lookism,” and “Lookphobia” in the Workplace. The 2012 Bangkok International Academic Conference Proceedings. Sponsored by the Clute Institute and Chiang Mai University, Thailand, March 12-14, 2012.
• Plangmarn, A., Mujtaba, B. G. G., Pirani, M. and Puriveth, P. (2012). Cultural values and travel motivation of the tourists. The 2012 Bangkok International Academic Conference Proceedings. Sponsored by the Clute Institute and Chiang Mai University, Thailand, March 12-14, 2012.

“Advise us of success stories or achievements of the Society members and any Afghan professionals and students.”

SAE E-Executive Committee Members: President: Ghulam Mujtaba; Vice President: Atiq Panjshiri Treasurer: Nagib Sayed, and Secretary: Luis Durani

SAE Board of Directors: Chairman: M. Qasem Kadir; Members: Yar M. Ebadi; Abdul Hamid (Farid) Kazi; Mohammad Saleh Keshawarz; Abdul Manan Khalid; Amanullah Mommandi; Mohammad Najib Poya; Abdul Saboor Rahim; and Mohammed Hashim Rayek

SAE Past Presidents: Malik Mortaza; Sohaila Sanie Shekib; Mohammed Hashim Rayek, Mohammed Wali Shairzay; Abdul Hadi Rakin; M. Qasem Kadir; and Abdul Hadi Rakin

Chairpersons SAE Committees/Subcommittees: Sohaila S. Shekib; M. Saber Sarwary; Samay Stanackzai; Ghulam Mujtaba; Nazeer Babakarkhial; Hasan Nouri; Najim Azadzoi; Atiq Panjshiri; Abdul Karim Yusufzai

SAE Manager: Naim Shahab Email: naim.shahab@gmail.com

SAE eNewsletter Editorial Board: Editor-In-Chief: Ghulam Mujtaba, M.S, CE, P.E., CPM E-Mail: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net; Editorial Board Members: A. Wahed Hassani, Ph.D.,P.E. Email: awhassani@gmail.com; A. Manan Khalid, M.S., P.E., LEED AP E-Mail: manank10@gmail.com; Mohammad Mirwais Email: mirwaisarchitect@gmail.com; Daod Mohammad Email: dmohammad@suncor.com

Subscribe/Unsubscribe: The subscription to the SAE eNewsletter is free. If you are not receiving the SAE eNewsletter directly and would like to subscribe, please send a note to: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net with the subject “Subscribe: SAE eNewsletter”. To unsubscribe, send a note with the subject “Unsubscribe: SAE eNewsletter”.

Disclaimer: The author, reporter, or agency of each publication, project, news, and products is included in this newsletter. Additional contact information of the authors and their agencies are available with the Editorial Board of the newsletter and may be provided upon request. The Editorial Board of the Society of Afghan Engineers, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, or any of its members is not liable for the accuracy or contents of the information. The reports and information are included as provided by the authors and agencies without any changes in the substance of the documents. The information about the agency products or services is not the SAE endorsement.