SAE Newsletter – July 2017, Volume 7, Issue 3, Saratan 1396

Dear Colleagues:

On behalf of the Editorial Board of the SAE eNewsletter I wish you and your families a blessed belated Eid-Al-Fitr.

It is a pleasure to provide you the third issue of the 2017 SAE eNewsletter (newsletter). This is the seventh year of the quarterly update from the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) through the publication of this newsletter. Thanks for your comments, suggestions, news, and articles that you have sent for publication in this newsletter.

This issue of the SAE eNewsletter features an Interview with Mr. Hafizullah Wardak, former Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, and currently, a Technical Fellow at Boeing, USA.

There is a report by Mr. A. Manan Khalid, P.E, Election Committee Chairman, about the Society of Afghan Engineers’ 2017 Election.

We are looking forward to the receipt of your technical news, articles, comments, suggestions, questions, and opinions about SAE activities, especially this publication.

Very Truly Yours,

G. Mujtaba, MS-CE, P.E., CPM;
Editor-In-Chief, SAE eNewsletter

“This issue of the SAE eNewsletter features an Interview with Mr. Hafizullah Wardak, former Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, and currently, a Technical Fellow at Boeing, USA.”

Inside This Issue

• Greetings from the SAE President
• Message from the Chairperson, SAE Board of Directors
• The SAE eNewsletter Interviews
• Interview with Mr. Hafizullah Wardak, Former Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, and currently, a Technical Fellow at Boeing, USA
• Membership News
• The 2017 SAE Election
• Announcements
• The 2017 SAE Membership Renewal
• Comments and Suggestions about SAE eNewsletter
• Obituary of Timour Shah Obaidi
• The SAE Organization
• Membership Application

Greetings from the SAE President

Dear SAE Colleagues Salaam:

Over the past three months, the Executive Committee has been meeting regularly and concentrating on issues of interest for the Society and Afghanistan.

As reported in the first quarter, this is a critical election year. SAE members will be electing a new President and nine new Board members for the next three years beginning in 2018. The five election committee members were nominated by the President and forwarded to the current Board of Directors for approval. The appointments of all five election committee members were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors. The independent Election Committee, after confirmation by the Board, immediately started the election process. The election announcement has been forwarded to every member of the Society asking them to become active and involved in the Society’s activities. I want to thank the honorable members of the Election Committee and wish them a successful and transparent election process.

Last month, together with the Afghan Doctors Association and the Afghan Academy, the SAE jointly hosted a presentation by the current President of Herat University, Dr. Abdullah Faiz, who was invited for a short trip to the United States by the Purdue University. The presentation on the current status and expansion of Herat University was extremely interesting for the audience. It was heartwarming for me personally to learn that the education progress at Herat University has exceeded expectations. I have asked President Faiz if he could send us some information on the University’s history and hope to have it printed at the next issue of this newsletter.

We were also fortunate to have with us the President of our Kabul sister organization, Society of Afghan Architects and Engineers (SAAE), Dr. Zabihullah Mojaddidy. Several members of the Society participated at this meeting, and the meeting was productive and informative on the current affairs of SAAE and its working relationship with relevant Ministries in Afghanistan. Several topics of mutual interest were discussed and both sides agreed to continue with building and expanding our working relationship.

As mentioned in the last newsletter about hosting a larger seminar sometime in fall 2017, the Executive Committee is working jointly with the Board of Directors and tentatively set the date around mid-October 2017. The Executive Committee is preparing for this exciting seminar and a formal announcement should be released in the very near future. I request that all members of the Society consider participating in this important seminar. If anyone is interested in giving a presentation at the seminar, please contact me by calling directly or by sending me an email.

I look forward to your active engagement and continued participation in the activities of the Society of Afghan Engineers.

Sincerely,

Atiq Panjshiri
President, Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE)

Message from the Chairperson, SAE Board of Directors

Our Esteemed SAE Members and Readers of the SAE eNewsletter,

I am extending messages of peace, health and harmony during this Holy Month of Ramadan to our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. We are all aware of the disturbing news we have heard through the media of strife and misery from different parts of the world, especially in Afghanistan which is heart breaking. My prayers are for the grieving families who lost loved ones and to Allah to bring Peace to all.

I would like to give a brief report on the activities of the SAE Board of Directors during the past months of this year. We held regular meetings to provide solutions to the Executive Committee requests and SAE arising issues such as providing guidelines to the newly formed Election Committee for the upcoming elections this year as well as discussed on how to increase SAE membership and SAE participation in the reconstruction of our beloved Afghanistan. The following are some of the Highlight SAE activities:

• The Board members participated in various high-level efforts in outreach to the Afghanistan Government to highlight awareness of SAE activities and how SAE can be of help to them. In particular, such efforts include the SAE President, Mr. Atiq Panjshiri’s meeting with the President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan personally and with other Afghan Government ministers to discuss on how SAE can contribute in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
• One of the highlights was the SAE President’s private visit to Afghanistan during which he met with Dr. Qayoumi, the Senior Advisor to the Afghan President and discussed the need and importance of having an established Afghan Institute of Engineers and Architects in Afghanistan and SAE’s potential role in this establishment. Further to this activity, Mr. Azadzoi in his capacity as a Board Member during his visit in Afghanistan, met with senior Afghan Government personnel and dignitaries and held discussion on how the Society can be of help to the Afghan Government in the technical development aspects as well as discussed, the establishment of the Afghan Institute of Engineers and Architects in Afghanistan. Due to the high interest by the Afghan Government and other professional organizations, it was decided that a proposal should be developed for this establishment. The Executive Committee took the responsibility to prepare a brief proposal in this respect and was presented by Mr. Panjshiri to Dr. Qayoumi on January 2nd 2017. Mr. Panjshiri has taken the responsibility of following up.
• The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors jointly hosted a dinner reception for the visiting Acting Mayor of Kabul, Mr. Abdullah Habibzai where he briefed the Society members on all the technical issues that they have been facing in the Kabul Municipality and he was anxious for their solutions which resulted in further discussions on how SAE can assist the Kabul Municipality with the various problems being experienced. At the Mayor’s request, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was prepared, reviewed, and approved by the Board of Directors; and was presented by the SAE President, Mr. Panjshiri to the Mayor, Mr. Habibzai on February 12th 2017. We are hoping to hear back from him.
• The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors hosted another dinner meeting with the Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Housing, Dr. Sayed Zia Hussaini where similar discussions were held pertaining to the problems and activities in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Panjshiri introduced SAE’s activities and how SAE can be of help.

The Members of the Society of Afghan Engineers have always shown their readiness to be of professional help in the rebuilding and developmental activities of our beloved country. I am proud to be part of this devoted team that has made every effort to serve their country in any capacity that they can. The Society has made every effort to reach out to the Afghan Government and Key officials on how SAE can have a role in the rebuilding efforts. It is in the hands of the Afghan government to take the opportunity and use the wealth of talents offered by SAE.

Sohaila Sanie Shekib,
Chairperson, Board of Directors
The Society of Afghan Engineers

The SAE eNewsletter Interviews

In every issue of the SAE eNewsletter the readers may find an interview with successful Afghan diasporas or other professionals who have served or currently serving as executives, managers, presidents, deans, professors, architects, engineers, and leaders.

You may ask our professional leaders, scholars, company chief officers, and engineering pioneers if they would accept our request for interview. You may also interview them and we will be pleased to publish their articles and interviews.

In this issue of the newsletter there is an interview with Mr. Hafizullah Wardak, former professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, and currently, a Technical Fellow at Boeing, USA. His engineering career spans over forty years both here in USA and Afghanistan. His detailed life story is described in the interview with Ustad Manan Khalid below.

The SAE eNewsletter Editorial Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Wardak for taking the time from his busy schedule to have an interview with Mr. A. Manan Khalid an editorial Board Member of the SAE eNewsletter and former professor of Kabul University.

Interview with Mr. Hafizullah Wardak, Former Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, and currently, a Technical Fellow at Boeing, USA

By: A.M. Khalid, P.E, LEED AP(BD+C)

Mr. Wardak has received his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii, Master’s degree in Civil/Structural from Case Western Reserve University and has completed all course work for PhD in ME/fracture mechanics at the University of Alabama. For the past 30 years, he has worked at Boeing in different capacities performing structural analysis, fatigue and damage tolerance analysis, currently a Technical Fellow and has supported diverse programs at Boeing. In addition to regular technical work, he has been teaching Structural Integrity-Damage Tolerance/Airworthiness to other engineers for over 20 years.

He was a previous dear professor of mine and I appreciate his willingness to perform this interview with me. His achievements will be of excellent value and motivation as a role model for our future generations.

The following are the interview questions/discussions (Q) and Professor Wardak’s responses (R):

(Q) Thank you Ustade Muhtaram for agreeing to do this interview. Please tell us about yourself especially your background, Your upbringing in Afghanistan- School etc., your memory from there, interests and hobbies.

(R) Mohatarem Khalid Sahib thank you, and the Editorial Board of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) eNewsletter, for giving me an opportunity to share the background of my life with the respected readers of the SAE eNewsLetter.

I was born in Mohammed Quoli, Jaghantoo a village in Wardak province. Started first grade of school there, and later transferred to Qari Abdullah Khan school in Kabul. With the completion of the six grades, I got enrolled in Habibia High School. I was fortunate & blessed with parents and uncle (my dua is Jennatul Ferdous for both) who made everything possible to excel in school, both were committed and supportive I pursue higher education. Without their endless and devoted support, I would not be where I am today. At the tenth grade, Habibia High School, I was among the five students from around the country, that came to USA under the American Field Service Scholarship (AFS), where I lived with a family and attended high school in Lancaster Pennsylvania. After a year, I went back and completed eleventh and 12th grades at Habibia High School.

While in Habibia high school, I witnessed the first violent demonstration; the demonstrators were marching on the Darulaman Road toward Habibia High School with antigovernment slogans. With wood and stones, not sure what else, the demonstrators broke the school entrance. The doors and windows were shattered, students fled in every direction, the principal, several teachers and students were beaten and injured badly. A few of us students who could not flee hid in the school attic until military tanks and police forces arrived. This was a rare event of such a scale and extent at that time.

During the last two years at Habibia High school, I got involved in extracurricular activities-as a reporter to Kabul Times English daily newspaper, a sport reporter to Anis Pushto & Farsi daily newspaper, contributor to Red Crescent Magazine, and Afghan Red Crescent Weekly Radio Kabul program Pushto participant. Being a reporter to Kabul Times, I visited most of the provinces preparing reports on each province, had interviews with the governors and other officials. I remember Dr. Keshawarz was governor of Farah, Dr. Anas Khan governor of Kandahar, and Dr. Mahmood Habibi governor of Parwan/Kapisa to name few. The editorial board of Kabul Times wanted me to join the Faculty of Journalism of Kabul University, and continue working with them, but I developed interest in engineering and selected the Faculty of Engineering. The last years of high school were very busy and enjoyable years that determined path to my future career.

During the second year at the faculty of engineering of Kabul University I received a scholarship (East West Center) to the University of Hawaii where I completed BS in civil engineering. The University of Hawaii was receiving 5-6 Afghan students, in different fields every year, under the East West Center Scholarship. When our group arrived, there were ten other Afghan students studying at the University. At the completion of BS in Civil Engineering, I was offered Assistantship and Admission to the graduate school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. I went back to Kabul, with MS in civil/Structural engineering; got a job with the Afghan Construction Company of the Ministry of Public Works in Kabul. Three months later, I joined the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University. The first year was a tough politicized academic environment at the University to which I was not familiar; it was a different environment for me. President Daud’s new government was 5-6 months at that time.

The six and half years with the Faculty of Engineering became the best years of my life where I learned much from the exceptionally smart, intelligent, brilliant, and well-behaved students. My goal and energy were focused and devoted to serving, helping and developing the future technical cadre and leaders of the country. To me helping the students to learn and excel took priority over all other events. In addition, I became active member of several Faculty of Engineering and the University committees- Seismic Center, Curriculum, Admission, Practical Training, University Research & Evaluation …. and few others. Unfortunately, the regime changes and political events afterward destroyed our vision and dream. I and many other faculty members left the country or were killed.

Things that I remember clearly are, the strong enthusiasm of engineering students for learning, demanding work, and dedication of the teaching staff at the Faculty of Engineering. The other item to mention is, the peaceful life prior to the regime change, and the instability that followed. Each day I walked in the morning from home to the Faculty of Engineering but unsure if there was safe return home, and be with the family again. The time prior to the regime change became a sweet dream and life after that part of a dreadful and devastating era.

My interests are reading, watching sports, history, nature and National Geographic programs.

(Q) As an immigrant to a new society and new culture, please tell us how you and your family adjusted and started the new life.

(R) My wife and I have been, happily married for over forty years and blessed with four wonderful children, two daughters and two sons. We have seven grandchildren. Raising children is a difficult and challenging task no matter where one lives. In Afghanistan, there existed the extended family structure. Parents, grandparents, sisters, aunts, uncles…etc. all were part of the daily life and helping each other. Religion, culture and language were part of the family and surrounded daily life. Starting a new family life here as a refugee, created new dimension and challenges to live with. Peer pressure at school, the new neighborhood, sport activities, television, electronic media and new gadgets, etc. became issues to deal with daily. No matter how much parents do, there is always oversight or something wish done differently. One rule that we followed, and it may help those with growing children now, we let our kids bring their school or sports friends to our house to play or be in the back yard or have foods together, however refrained them from staying in other residences where we were not present. We participated almost in every meaningful activities and meetings of the school, and got heavily involved in after school sport programs. As I look on that period, these were value added and effective fruitful decisions.

We had set a goal to pay more attention to our children education, and upbringing so they can develop passion for learning, strong work ethics, acceptable manners, become compassionate, respect others and ultimately become productive, and effective member of the society, and humanity in general. As a new member of the community, along with my wife and children together we were faced with a demanding job. It was arduous time, our minds and hearts torn with the events of back home, the rest of the family, and life as a refugee, it was just a very strenuous period. The future of our children became the center piece of our daily activity and goal of our life. In my opinion, at that time, the professional path for our children seemed the best option; we started assimilating, nurturing and guiding them in that direction. We enrolled our kids in every sport related activity in school and out of school. No doubt, it was additional task and strain for us, but had joy and rewards later. We wanted our children to be part of a stable and committed family, active participant of the community we lived, at the same time we wanted they learn, our Afghan tradition, culture, and religion and grow with it, we enrolled them in the weekend schools. A very busy life, evolving how to nurture, socialize, guide, and raise children so they can become productive member of the society in which they will live.

My oldest daughter received a doctor of pharmacy degree. She, and her husband both are teaching at a University. My other daughter, who completed electrical engineering, is helping her husband medical practice and taking care of their five children. My son, earlier this year completed medical residency and is now Assistant Professor at a Medical School specializing in Radiation Oncology. My other son who received his doctor of pharmacy degree working as a practicing pharmacist. Alhamdullilah the challenging work, nurturing and guiding were reasonably sound and healthy decisions. As I said, there is always wishes to have done more.

My advice to those who are having young children is, spend more time with your children, nurture, and guide them to develop a passion for learning and higher education. A famous Hadith “Anyone who is in search of knowledge, Allah will ease his way to paradise”. Plato a Greek Philosopher said: “Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.”

(Q) I vividly remember your valuable classes on concrete structures. What motivated you to teach? Do you miss teaching in your country of birth?

(R) Yes, I enjoyed my six and half years at the Faculty of Engineering. It remains a bright light in my life and I miss it. When I think of that period, sometimes I wipe my eyes. I consider that time, the best period of my life. My mind was so active and in peace, always seeking that. My love for teaching is why I started teaching engineers here off hour classes. I do that in addition to my regular engineering work.

Teaching at the Faculty of Engineering Kabul was emotionally rewarding, I was fortunate in having very intelligent, brilliant and well-behaved students who had great desire for learning. They became elements of motivation for me. The six and half years with the Faculty of Engineering became the best years of my life where I learned so much from the exceptionally smart, intelligent, well-behaved students. I was taking an immense pride in a goal that was focused and devoted to serving, helping and developing the future technical cadre and technical leaders of Afghanistan. To me helping the students to learn and excel took priority over all other activities. I also became active member of several Engineering Faculty and University committees- Seismic Center, Curriculum, Admission, Practical Training, University Research & Evaluation …. and few others at the university. Unfortunately, the regime changes and political events afterward destroyed our dreams and hopes, I and many other faculty members left the country or were killed.

(Q) When and how did you leave Afghanistan? Have you been involved in any activities in Afghanistan since your leave from the country? If given the opportunity, would you be interested to work in Afghanistan in the future?

(R) I left Kabul for New Delhi after the Russian invasion, after three months in new Delhi came to Boulder Colorado as Refugee. During the three months waiting period in New Delhi I received two assistantships, one from the University of Colorado, Boulder and the other from Washington University in St Louis to complete PhD. But the only visa available to Afghan at that time, due to event in Afghanistan, was refugee. The student visa which I had received from the two universities were not accepted. I arrived at Boulder a few weeks after the deadline for late registration and could not enroll for classes. Got a job in Cleveland Ohio with my former Professor working on engineering analysis of piles foundation. After few months received a job offer from one of the largest Nuclear Energy engineering consulting company in Chicago. I was member of a specialist structural engineering group, performing static and dynamic structural analysis. For one year, I worked at the construction site of a nuclear power plant that was an excellent experience. Working for the nuclear consulting firm was a period of great learning of practical engineering for me; I enrolled in every engineering class offered at the company. Structural analysis of the nuclear power plant is the most difficult engineering analytical area and valuable experience.

After about six and half years with Sargent & Lundy, the Nuclear energy engineering work started slow down. It was an appropriate time for me to change location.

I will be very happy to educate and mentor Afghan engineers, or provide consultation to institutions at an appropriate time.

(Q) It is very exciting to know that you have been working for a very long time at one of the well-known and most prestigious companies in the world. What made you choose Boeing?

(R) Yes, indeed I am fortunate to be working for the world’s best and largest aerospace company for almost thirty years as structural analyst, specializing in fatigue, damage tolerance analysis and full-scale fatigue testing. This has been a period to advance, expand my technical skills, and specialize in fatigue and damage tolerance analysis. I have a passion for learning as well as mentoring and teaching other engineers to share technical skills and knowledge.

After Sargent &Lundy, I got a job offer from United Technology (UT) to work as structural analyst on Solid Rocket Booster of Space Transportation System (NASA project) in Huntsville Alabama. It became an opportunity to join Aerospace engineering. After two years, I joined Boeing in Huntsville. I joined Boeing as structural analyst to work on the International Space Station Project (NASA project). I worked for ten years on the International Space Station (ISS), where I was technical leader in fracture mechanics and member of several technical committees with NASA and other National and International contractors to Boeing. During those years on NASA projects I received several Boeing and NASA awards.

After the Internal Space station Project, I moved within Boeing to Wichita Kansas, to the Airplane Commercial Division, worked on every model airplane as structural analyst and technical leader in damage tolerance analysis. From there I moved to Seattle Washington where I am now.

(Q) when was the first time you came to USA, tell us about your experience

(R) I came to USA the first time in 1963 under American Field Service scholarship, I was in the tenth grade of Habibia High School. It was an exceptional opportunity to visit a country that I knew very little from geography class and cowboy movies, and it was a different culture and distinctive way of family life as well the school system. During that year, I became very active in giving talks about Afghanistan and my religion, where most of the people especially the students had not met someone from Afghanistan or a Muslim. I was provided incredible hospitality and was well received by the community and school. I lived for a year with an exceptionally nice and caring family and attended high school with their son, in Lancaster Pennsylvania. The family and all those that I met were graciously respectful of culture, religion and eager to learn my religion and the Afghan culture. At the same time, a unique opportunity for me to learn the American way of life and the new culture.

(Q) You have been a board member of the SAE (Society of Afghan Engineers). The main reason for SAE’s establishment was to help in rebuilding activities of our beloved and war-torn country. Fortunately, in recent years, there have been considerable improvements in education and reconstruction of the country. Considerable progress has been made in rebuilding the country’s infrastructures. Students have been sent abroad for their graduate studies and the number of universities in the country have multiplied. Architects and engineers have access to current design and construction standards through many available means today. What do you think about the continuation of the SAE considering the above? How do you see SAE’s future and what can be done for it to remain a viable organization?

(R) I think SAE can play an important, and vital role and contribution by educating, and mentoring Afghan engineers. This can be accomplished with conducting continuing education short classes or seminars in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University, and mentoring engineers on the job sites. This will also help SAE to establish itself as a viable and active organization.

The combined process of education, training, and mentoring will enable individuals, organizations, and governmental institutions to build technical capacity. To achieve a safe, stable and self-sufficient viable Afghanistan it must develop and improve its individual, institutional and technical infrastructure capacity. With technical capacity, economic development, and human development, a sustainable Afghan society can get established.

I encourage SAE to establish a partnership with educational institution and local technical communities. This can become an effective way to contribute to long lasting development, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.

If we glance at the globe, the economic growth, wealth, advances in technology and power are in the hands of those who hold greater number of higher level educational institutions. That is where wealth and wellbeing jobs and stability in life exist. People of these nations are the power house of today’s economic engine and job creators. They are equipped with better tools to control the environment and produce efficiently what Allah has created in nature.

I see a unique opportunity for SAE to contribute with educating and mentoring Afghan engineers to improve skills and develop knowledge based capability pool. Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

The educational, advisory, and mentoring contribution must have continuity to create positive and lasting impact. I think the Afghan engineering community abroad most of them have desire to help.

SAE should also get involved in high school level to offer seminars, workshops so students can develop interest in engineering, science and technology.

(Q) Please let us know if you have any message for the readers of the newsletter, especially for the students in Afghanistan and Afghan Communities abroad who are interested to help their country at some point in time.

(R) My request to all those who receive and read this newsletter is to please become an active member of SAE, it is your society. SAE will do more when you become active member, let’s give hands to each other. More can be done when you are part of it. Together SAE can be viable and a bridge between Afghan engineers across the globe. Wonderful things can be accomplished when you are part of it.

My advice to students is to learn, and learn, especially the fundamentals. Once a full understanding and grasp of the fundamentals is achieved, then look for a place where you can work in different areas, design, analysis, manufacturing, production or construction on a rotational basis for few months each to know area of interest. When decision on area of interest is made select a mentor, and work for several years with the mentor, to learn from the experience of your mentor. Try to understand the concepts well, aim excellence, work on improvement and innovations. Must become expert and innovator in an area that you like, most important learn how to work with others and be a team player.

From my latest discussion with several engineers inside Afghanistan and my own observation of those going to engineering colleges in Afghanistan, the perception is that there exists a near sighted and materialistic goal among the students. Degree and money have become goal and symbol of a good life. Their goal, a degree and accumulation of large amount of money if can all at once, and obtain higher position in the government. These unprofessional and non-realistic expectation must change, and replace with- learn the fundamental of science, technology, engineering first and become a “good engineer” in the process.

This is another area of potential opportunity for SAE, to advise those starting engineering at university, and high school level, how to form and set goals for engineering career. How to excel and learn fundamentals, gain experience, work under an experienced engineer, and learn how to become a “good engineer”.

I would like to thank you for accepting our invitation to have this interview with the editorial board of the SAE newsletter. You provided invaluable educational and inspirational information.

Membership News

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, promotions, retirement, and any other success stories.

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

The 2017 SAE Election

A Brief Report on Election 2017 by A. Manan Khalid, P.E, LEED (BD+C) – Election Committee Chairman

Every three years a new president and the nine members of the board of directors are elected and may include current eligible members. The end of 2017 will be the end of the service term for the current officials who were elected for their positions in 2014. They will serve until January 1, 2018 when the new team takes over.

In addition, every three years, a new election committee is formed comprising of five members, one of whom, serves as the chairperson. The committee is dissolved upon completion of the elections. The committee members are not eligible to nominate themselves for any of the open positions. For this election season, the committee was formed on March 24, 2017 and the following individuals were selected to serve:

1. A. Manan Khalid-Chairman
2. Humayon Ibrahim-Member
3. Ghulam Qadir-Member
4. Sayed Amir Zahori-Member
5. Fayeq Fasihi-Member

Accordingly, the committee started the process and have had two teleconference meetings to develop the necessary material and to establish timelines for the process. The timelines were set as follows:

1. Compile all information and get board’s concurrence by May 15, 2017
2. Send the invitation for nomination by June 1, 2017
3. Send ballots by August 1 of 2017
4. Announce the results by October 15 of 2017.

Based on the above and part of the process, a list of members was compiled from among several available lists. During the compilation of the list, eligibility for participation in the elections became an issue. Most of the members on the list have not been active, and according to the bylaws, will not be eligible to vote or be nominated. Active members are defined as those who are current with their membership dues. Members who live Afghanistan and retired members are exempt of this requirement. By that definition, there would have been less than 30 people who could have participated in the upcoming elections.

After numerous discussions with the current leadership, it was finally decided to send the notifications and the ballots to all regardless of their status. Recommendation was made, to clarify in the notification, that only nominations and ballots of active members will be considered. This way, it will provide a chance for members to pay their dues by the deadlines and become part of the process.

Subsequently, the notification for nominations was sent on June 5,2017 with a deadline of July 20, 2017 for the submissions. The notification was sent to all 558 names on the list. Feedback showed that 232 members were not reached as the e-mail addresses on file were either incorrect or did not exist any longer . So far, there has been very little response. However, there is ample time left to the deadline, and the committee hopes to receive enough responses, for the process to become meaningful and interesting.

Announcements

(1) The 2017 SAE Membership Renewal

Dear Members of the Society:

The Management of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) would like to remind all members that 2017 membership renewal and Annual fee of $60 are due. Your membership fee collectively would enable us to pay for some basic needed services of the Society such as Website security monitoring, updating and maintenance. Also, your membership fee would provide SAE’s management of the financial means to organize and host events and seminars on relevant technical topics. The membership renewal application can be downloaded from our website.

Please visit the SAE Face book when you get the opportunity.

We appreciate your kind attention to the membership due request.

Sincerely,

Atiq Panjshiri, President
The Society of Afghan Engineers

(2) SAE eNewsletter – Regional Representatives

The positions of the SAE eNewsletter Regional Representatives are open. Please let us know if you are interested to volunteer for one of these positions or if you want to nominate other qualified members to serve in these positions. The representatives will inform the newsletter Editorial Bard of any technical news in their regions and contact authors for their contributions in the activities of newsletter. For additional information please send an email to SAE eNewsletter Editorial Board: Ghulam Mujtaba, E-Mail: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net; A. Wahed Hassani, Email: awhassani@gmail.com; A. Manan Khalid, E-Mail: manank10@gmail.com; and Hafizullah Wardak, Email: hwardak@comcast.net

(3) The SAE Membership Renewal Updates

The following are the status of the membership renewal fee payments and donations to the Society of Afghan engineers during Year 2017. The SAE management would like to thank all members for their financial support and other contributions to the Society activities.

Membership Renewal Fee and Donations in 2017

Date	First Name	Last Name	Fee Paid	Donation	Total Payment Received In 2017
1/7/2017	Atiq	Panjshiri	$60	0	$60
2/8/2017	Ghulam	Mujtaba	$60	$100	$160
2/8/2017	Yacob	Munir	$60	0	$60
1/27/2017	Steve	Rossi	$60	$60	$120
1/27/2017	Gul Afghan	Saleh	$60	$40	$100
1/7/2017	Abdul Nazeer	Babacarkhial	$60^7	0	$0
2/8/2017	Abdul Manan	Khalid	$60	0	$60
1/7/2017	Sayed F.	Abass	$60	0	$60
1/7/2017	Reza M.	Afshar	$60	$140	$200
1/27/2017	Najib	Poya	$60	$200	$260
1/7/2017	Hashem	Baluch	$60	0	$60
4/10/2017	Abdul W.	Hassani	$60	0	$60
4/23/2017	Sohaila	Shekib	$60	0	$60
4/23/2017	Hashem	Rayeq	$60	0	$60
5/12/2017	Sadiq	Ezzat	$60	0	$60
1/7/2017	Hafiz	Wardak	$60^1	0	$0
1/7/2017	Yar	Ebadi	$60^1	0	$0
1/7/2017	Amin	Mahmood	$60^1	0	$0
1/7/2017	Zarjan	Baha	$60^1	0	$0
5/15/2017	Saleh M.	Keshwarz	$60^2	0	$120
5/15/2017	Rafhat	Ludin	$60^3	0	$180
5/20/2017	Amanullah	Mommandi	$60^4	0	$180
5/20/2017	Najim	Azadzoi	$60^5	$80	$200
6/1/2017	Saber M.	Sarwari	$60^6	0	$180
6/14/2017	Zia	Yamayee	$60	$100	$160
2016	Ashraf	Roshan	$60^8	$0	$0

1. Mr. Hafiz Wardak, Dr. Yar Ebdai, Mr. Amin Mahmood and Dr. Zarjan Baha paid their membership renewal fees for 2017 in the previous years.
2. Dr. Saleh Keshawrz paid his membership fee of $120.00 for years 2016 and 2017 in 2017.
3. Mr. Rafat Ludin paid his membership fee of $180.00 for years 2015- 2017 in 2017.
4. Mr. Amanullah Mommandi paid his membership fee of $180.00 for years 2015- 2017 in 2017.
5. Mr. Najim Azadzoi paid his membership fee of $120 for years 2016- 2017 in 2017 plus $80 donation.
6. Mr. Saber Sarwary paid his membership fee of $180.00 for years 2015- 2017 in 2017
7. Mr. Babacarkhial has sent his membership fee for period of four years -Payment for 2014-2017 in 2015
8. Mr. Ashraf Roshan has sent his $120 membership fee for the years 2016 and 2017 in 2016.

Comments and Suggestions about SAE eNewsletter

The Editor-In-Chief of the SAE eNewsletter has received a comment/suggestion regarding the April 2017 issue of the SAE eNewsletter from a respected professional engineer, Mr. A. F. Quilio who was Chief Editor’s former colleague and supervisor at the Florida Department of Transportation.

Mr. Quilio has been a fellow member in the American Society of Civil Engineers since 1985 and a “Life Member” since 2000. He was also deeply involved with the National Society of Professional Engineers (N.S.P.E.). He has served as President of the Lower Rio Grande Chapter of the N.S.P.E. as well as a member in good standing in the American Water Works Association (A.W.W.A.) in addition to teaching an engineering class at the South Texas Community College.

He has retired from professional practice both in Florida and Texas in 2001. He is also a retired Registered Public Surveyor in the state of Texas. The following are Mr. Quilio’s comments and suggestions related to Dr. Saleh’s article which was published in April 2017 issue of the SAE eNewsletter:

Mr. A. F. Quilio’s Comment/Suggestion: Thank you for sending me the April 2017 issue of your SAE eNewslette. You are doing a great job as editor-in-chief.

As someone who started his engineering career in the field of open and closed channel hydraulics, I was particularly interested in the article about the potable water problems in Afghanistan. Good strong central water management is vital to the growth and wellbeing of any state. This is especially true in rural areas where citizens take the use of water, as a commodity, for granted. Getting people to understand how their use of water, which they feel is theirs alone, is very difficult. Good article, thank you again.

A. F. Quilio. P.E.-Ret., L.M. & F.-A.S.C.E

Editor’s Response

Dear Mr. Quilio:

Thanks for your valuable comments about Dr. Saleh’s article and your contributions in the activities of SAE eNewsletter by sending us your articles and comments. You have done great services to the engineering communities of Texas and Florida states. The family, friends, and community should be proud of your engineering accomplishments.

Once again, thanks for your interest in the reconstruction and developmental activities of Afghanistan and your valuable suggestion about the implementation of a central water management.

Best regards,

Editor-In-Chief

Obituary of Timour Shah Obaidi

Mr. Timour Shah Obaidi, a graduate of the Department of Civil Engineering of Kabul University has passed away. We are sorry about his death. May God grant him Jannah. On behalf of the SAE, the Editorial Board members express their condolences to Obiadi family.

His brother, Mr. Yaqub Obaidi, who is graduate of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering has sent Marhoom Timour Shah Obiadi’s obituary and photo to the Editorial Board of the SAE eNewsletter.

Timour Shah Obaidi, a classmate, a friend and an outstanding engineer

Timour Shah Obaidi was born in Kabul City in 1957. He went to Lycee Isteqlal, a French high school, and then entered the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University. He graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering in January of 1981. Like many of us in different parts of the world, he immigrated to France and lived there till the last day of his life.

He worked for SYSTRA, one of largest high speed transportation companies in France. He worked on the design and construction of the high-speed train and car tunnel project that connects France and England. He also worked on different high speed train projects in India, Vietnam, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Tunis, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, Italy and other parts of the world as a SYSTRA engineer.

A heart attack in 2014 took his life and left his family and friends heartbroken. He was a good brother, a good father, a good husband and a dear friend.

We miss him and may his soul rest in heavens.

The Society of Afghan Engineers Organization

SAE Executive Committee Members:
President: Atiq Panjshiri, Vice President: Farid Abass, Treasurer: Ashraf Roshan, Secretary: Farid Haidari, Manager: Gul Afghan Saleh

SAE Board of Directors-Officers:
Chairperson: Sohaila Sanie Shekib, Vice-Chairman: Najim Azadzoi, and Executive Director: Nazeer Babacarkhial

Members SAE Board of Directors:
Najim Azadzoi, Nazeer Babacarkhial, Wahid Enayat, Mohammad Saleh Keshawarz, Rafaat Ludin, Amanullah Mommandi, Saber Sarwary, Sohaila Sanie Shekib, and Hafizullah Wardak

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

SAE Chairpersons of Committees/Subcommittees:
Ghulam Mujtaba, Chairman – SAE eNewsletter Subcommittee, E-Mail: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net

SAE Local Chapter Coordinators:
A. Hamid Layan – Kabul, Afghanistan; M. Qaseem Naimi – Toronto, Canada; Najim Azadzoi – Massachusetts; M. Qasem Kadir – Southern California; A. Manan Khalid – New York and New Jersey; Amanullah Mommandi – Colorado; Atiq Panjshiri – Virginia and Washington DC

SAE eNewsletter Subcommittee:
Subcommittee Chairman: Ghulam Mujtaba, M.S, CE, P.E.
Members: A. Wahed Hassani, Ph.D., P.E.; A. Manan Khalid, M.S., P.E., LEED AP; Hafizullah Wardak; Abdul Hamid Layan

SAE eNewsletter Editorial Board:
Editor-In-Chief: Ghulam Mujtaba, M.S, CE, P.E., CPM
Editorial Board Members: A. Wahed Hassani, Ph.D., P.E.; A. Manan Khalid, M.S., P.E., LEED AP

SAE eNewsletter Regional Representatives:
Abdul Hamid Layan – Kabul

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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 are 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.