SAE Newsletter – 2018-10 – Volume 8, Issue 4

Evaluates the Colorado Department of Transportation’s applied research program for potential implementation in Afghanistan and gathers insights from the former governor of Kabul Province.

SAE Newsletter – October 2018, Volume 8, Issue 4, Mizan 1397

Dear Colleagues:

We are pleased to provide you the fourth issue of the 2018 SAE eNewsletter (newsletter) with latest information about the activities of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE).

This is the eighth year of the quarterly update from the SAE through the publication of this newsletter.

Thanks to the readers of the SAE eNewsletter who have sent us technical articles, comments, suggestions, and news for publication of newsletter.

This issue of the SAE eNewsletter (newsletter) features an interview with Dr. Zabihullah Mojaddidy, former governor of Kabul Province.

Also, there is an article by Mr. Amanullah Mommandi, Director of Applied Research and Innovation Branch of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). His article is about CDOT’s research program.

As always, we welcome your feedback, questions, technical news, and articles about Afghanistan. We are looking forward to the prosperity and peace in Afghanistan and the entire world.

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 Dr. Zabihullah Mojaddidy, former governor of Kabul Province. Also, there is an article by Mr. Amanullah Mommandi about Colorado Department of Transportation’s research program”

Inside This Issue

  • Greetings from the SAE President
  • Colorado Department of Transportation’s Research program
  • Interview with Dr. Zabihullah Mojaddidy, former governor of Kabul Province
  • Obituaries
  • Membership News
  • Announcements
  • Membership Renewal Fee and Donations in 2018
  • Comments and Suggestions about SAE eNewsletter
  • The Society of Afghan Engineers Organization
  • Membership Application

Greetings from the SAE President

Dear SAE Colleagues Salaam and Happy Fall Season 2018

The Executive Committee has been meeting regularly and working towards achieving our main objective in helping with Afghanistan’s infrastructure and development needs. We are in contact with our industry colleagues on the ground, as well as with the technical Afghan Ministries. We are ready to assist where our help is the most needed.

We are also preparing for SAE’s Annual Conference. I invite every member of the Society to attend the Annual Conference to meet and network with other professional Afghan engineers and architects. Additionally, the Conference will showcase several technical presentations and panel discussions relating to important engineering issues in Afghanistan. If you have a useful technical presentation you would like to give, please let us know. This conference would be an excellent venue for your presentation and the most effective way to reach a targeted audience in Afghanistan.

The Society of Afghan Engineers 2018 Annual Conference will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The Conference will be a full day event and it will be in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. Further details and information for the conference will be announced on the SAE website and Facebook in late October.

If you are interested and able to attend, please let us know by RSVPing to info@afghanengineers.org or 703-407-2600.

I am looking forward seeing you at the Annual Conference 2018.

Sincerely,

Atiq Panjshiri, President
The Society of Afghan Engineers

Colorado Department of Transportation’s Research Program

By: Amanullah Mommandi, M.S; P.E

Abstract:

Colorado is very similar in topography and has four-season climate like Afghanistan. The Afghan Ministry of Public Works is like the Colorado Department Transportation (CDOT) in its organizational structure, except that CDOT has more branches and divisions such as environmental, safety, avalanche mitigation, rockfall mitigation, traffic and safety, legal, maintenance, research, training, construction management, and other offices. CDOT has obviously more resources.

In 2012, the author was able to facilitate the signing of technical memorandum between Mr. Najib Aoudjan, Afghanistan Minister of Public Works (MPW); Mr. John Cater, Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Division; and Mr. Don Hunt, Colorado Department of Transportation, Executive Director for Technical Exchange Program.

The MPW can expand its organization to include some of the needed programs and offices based on the CDOT’s experience.

Also, MPW can use Colorado’s approach and team up with Kabul University and other private and public universities throughout the country to perform research projects. The research projects can provide innovative ideas to enhance contracting procedures, minimize waste, improve highway pavement and construction materials, facilitate bridge inspection, provide effective scour mitigation for bridges, protect wetlands during road construction and preserve historical trails and roads.

The MPW can set aside budget for research and for training of design, construction and maintenance staff. The research project coordination between the Ministry and educational institutions will enhance the technical capacity of both the Ministry staff and the academic institutions.

The purpose of this article is to provide information about CDOT’s research related activities, program, and procedure. Hoping that both, the Afghan academic sectors and the relevant government ministries use CDOT’s research practices as guide to initiate similar programs in Afghanistan. The author is willing to visit both educational institutions and relevant ministries in Afghanistan as a private citizen and discus or provide training related to the transportation related research needs, program, and procedure.

Colorado Department of Transportation at a Glance

The CDOT exists to ensure that Colorado has a safe and efficient highway system by building and maintaining interstate and state highways. The information related to CDOT highway system may be viewed at the following Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address: https://www.codot.gov/about .

To accomplish this goal, CDOT provides three primary services:
1. Roadway and bridges snow and ice removal operations;
2. Roadway maintenance and preservation; and
3. Construction management of roadways, bridges, rest areas buildings, and parking areas.

Moreover, CDOT provides additional services that include:
1. Traffic monitoring;
2. Avalanche control;
3. Rockfall mitigation
4. Transit development and grants; and
5. Traffic safety education for impaired driving, teen driving, distracted driving, work zone safety, car seat belts and more.

CDOT celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2010. Following are some major work items that CDOT staff of 3,300 employees perform:
* CDOT maintains, repairs, and plows over 23,000 total lane miles of highway;
* Maintains 3,447 bridges;
* Oversees 28 billion miles of vehicle that travel annually;
* Plows about 6 million lane miles each year;
* Spends $69 million annually on snow removal;
* Keeps over 35 mountain passes open year-round;
* Monitors 278 of 522 avalanche paths. CDOT only monitor the avalanche path that affect Colorado highways. The remaining paths are monitored by Colorado Avalanche Information Center
* Administers about $11 million in federal grants for transit operators and $41 million in federal aviation grants for airports; and
* Manages over $5 million in federal grants for safe driving programs

Colorado Department of Transportation Applied Research and Innovation Branch

The CDOT Applied Research and Innovation Branch (ARIB) which operates within the Division of Transportation Development (DTD) has a significant role in advancing innovation and deployment of new technologies in CDOT. In 1962, U.S. Congress enacted a law to require one-point five percent (1.5%) of the Federal Highway Fund to be set-aside for State Planning and Research (SPR) program. By law, twenty-five percent (25%) of the SPR funds needs to be allocated to research. For fiscal year 2019 (FY19) the CDOT’s SPR fund was 12 million dollars. In conformance with this law, 3 million dollars of the SPR Fund was allocated to ARIB.

CDOT ARIB includes the following research programs and other related activities:
* Structures, Geotechnical, and Hydraulic
* Environmental and Water Quality;
* Traffic, Safety, Maintenance Operation and Planning;
* Pavements and Materials;
* Field Work Support Program;
* CDOT Library and Local Technical Assistant Program (LTAP). LTAP program delivers over 70 training classes related to transportation throughout the state to the city and county employees annually;
* Colorado / Federal Highway State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Program. This program provides one hundred thousand dollars annually for funding innovative ideas and projects.
* The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Technology Transfer Program called T-Square (T2). This program provides funding for innovative ideas, training and trip expenses.

A Glance at CDOT’s Research Project Work Cycle Applied Research & Innovations Branch

The mission of the CDOT’s Applied Research and Innovation Branch is described in the Research Manual, as quoted below:

“The mission of the Applied Research and Innovation Branch is to save Colorado citizens’ money, time, and lives while preserving the environment and quality of life through the development and deployment of innovative products, materials, and methods in transportation.”

The Research Manual can be accessed from the websites at the following URL address: https://www.codot.gov/programs/research/pdfs

This mission is in part manifested through the review, selection and completion of research projects that reflect the CDOT and DTD missions, strategic areas, and goals.

Research can be formally defined as a systematic controlled inquiry involving analytical and experimental activities that primarily seek to increase the understanding of underlying phenomena. Research can be basic or applied as described below:

Applied Research. The systematic study of phenomena relating to a specific known need or practical application. The primary purpose of this kind of research is to answer a question or solve a problem. Colorado Department of Transportation funds applied research projects.

Basic Research – The systematic study of phenomena without specific applications or products in mind. The primary purpose of this kind of research is to increase knowledge. Basic research lays the foundation for advancements in knowledge that may lead to applied gains in the future.

The research reports can be accessed from the following URL address: https://www.codot.gov/programs/research/pdfs

A. Pre-Research Activities

The following is the annual research related sequence of events in the development of the research projects:

  1. August. The CDOT ARIB sends research solicitation letters to all CDOT employees, state of Colorado universities, and colleges. The solicitation letters are also sent to universities outside Colorado that have performed research for CDOT in the past. The letter requests them to send their research ideas to ARIB in a standard formal document known as Problem Statements.
  2. September to November. ARIB receives research Problem Statements.
  3. November-January. A panel of subject matter experts from CDOT and Federal Government, called the CDOT Research Oversight Team (ROT) are assembled to review the submitted Problem Statements. This group vets, screens, prioritizes and ranks Problem Statements based on CDOT needs as established by the CDOT Research Implementation Council (RIC).
  4. February-March. The Problem Statements are presented via PowerPoint presentation to the RIC members for review, approval, and allocation of funds. The CDOT RIC members include Program Managers or Division Heads representing all branches of CDOT. In an annual meeting; the RIC reviews, evaluates, and selects research projects for funding based on CDOT’s Mission, and Strategic Goals.
  5. July. FHWA approves CDOT work programs. Federal funds can be encumbered starting in October.
  6. July – December. ARIB develops scope of work (SOW) and advertises research projects to submit Request for proposals (RFP). This term refers to the general process ARIB uses to select a Principal Investigator (PI) to conduct research and write a final report; it is used in acquiring services and/or specialized products when objective bid specifications cannot be used. It can refer to a formal process managed by the procurement office where a panel of experts and stakeholders review proposals and select the one that is most beneficial to the State. More commonly, it refers to a less formal process administered by ARIB to solicit university proposals and to select the best PI.
  7. January – March. ARIB selects the PI. Contract agreement and procurement process are initiated and completed. As soon as the proposal is accepted by CDOT and the contract is agreed upon by the selected PI, a Systems, Application and Products (SAP) shopping cart is prepared for the Procurement Office to process. Once this process is completed, a Purchase Order is issued to the PI. The Project Manager subsequently issues the Notice-to-Proceed letter to start the research project.

B. During Research Activities

  1. Most research projects take approximately one to three years to complete. Some projects take more than three years to finish contingent upon the required amount and time of field data collection needed.
  2. Quarterly progress reports are required for all projects.
  3. As soon as the research is completed, draft reports are sent to the respective research study panel members to review.
  4. A final PowerPoint presentation conducted by the PI is required for all research projects. After the review, comments are received and incorporated by the PI. This final report is submitted to CDOT ARIB staff for final review and editing before publication.

C: Post-Research Activities

The ARIB Librarian performs editing and insures that the document follows the CDOT ARIB reporting style and format requirements, including the front cover materials and standard report formats. The Librarian assigns the report number and publishes the report in CDOT Website.

Involved Entities in CDOT Research Activities

The average budget for each research project ranges from $75,000.00 to $250,000.00, depending on the complexity and the need for long-term data collection.

Most of the research projects with universities are published as doctoral dissertations for graduate students. On the average, CDOT RIC approves twenty research projects per year. CDOT supports the doctoral dissertations work of about twenty new graduate students annually.

The following is a list of the institutions that have conducted research projects for ARIB:

Colorado Universities:
University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado; Colorado School of Mines at Golden, Colorado State University at Fort Collins, Colorado State University at Pueblo; University of Colorado at Denver and University of Northern Colorado at Greeley.

Universities outside Colorado:
University of Florida; Texas Transportation Institute (TTI); University of Montana and Ryerson University, Canada

Consultants:
Atkins Global Engineering Company; Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; Felsburg Holt and Ullevig Inc.; Hydrau-Tech Inc. Transtec Group, Inc.; Cambridge Systematics and Applied Research Associates, Inc.

CDOT Staff:
Accident Analysis and Prediction; Intelligent Transportation System (ITS); Risk Analysis Traffic Engineering; Field Testing; Pavements and Materials; Planning and Environmental Operations and Maintenance; Bridge Management and Design and Regional Offices

Highlights of the CDOT Water Resource and Hydraulics Research Projects

Every year, the CDOT completes over ten research projects in all program areas as mentioned before. The author’s technical background and expertise are in water resource and hydraulics. He has initiated all research ideas related to water resource and hydraulics areas for research to ARIB. The finding and recommendations of many of these researches can be implemented in Afghanistan by Ministry of Public Works and others.

The author has participated in the activities of a few research projects in collaboration with the project PIs in data collection, data analysis, and preparation of final reports.

Colorado is a leading DOT in U.S. in research projects related to water resource and hydraulics topics. Currently there are few more research projects still in the data collection and analysis phase. The CDOT research projects in structures, geotechnical, water quality, animal crossings, pavements and materials and other research topics can be accessed at the following URL Address: https://www.codot.gov/programs/research/pdfs

The author has been involved as the co-author of the following publications:

  1. Evaluation and Performance of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipes under CDOT Highways, T-Rex, and other locations. This research evaluated the HDPE pipe performance under Colorado Highways. Report No. CDOT-2018-09. March 2018. The author does not recommend HDPE Pipes under the roadways in Afghanistan. HDPE Culvert Pipe is prone to losing its circular shape if not properly compacted on both side during construction. If the pipe loses it circular shape more than seven percent, it is failed pipe and need to be replaced. The pipe can be burned and cut by sharp objects. HDPE pipes has higher resistance to corrosion and abrasion. They can be used for mining and irrigation projects.
  2. Developing Bridge-Scour Equations for Colorado Mountain Streams. Report No. CDOT-2018-10, March 2018. The scour prediction equations developed in this research projects are applicable to calculate bridge pier scours in Badakhshan, Kunar and other mountainous valleys of Afghanistan.
  3. Paleo-flood Investigations to Improve Peak-Streamflow Regional-Regression Equations for Natural Streamflow in Eastern Colorado, 2015. Report No. CDOT-2016-07, 2016. The methodology of this research project can be used in Afghanistan where there are no gauge stations to monitor streamflow.
  4. Web-Based Flood Database for Colorado, Water Years 1867 through 2011. Report No. CDOT-2013-20 March 2013. USGS Report 2012-1225, 26 p. This is a unique research projects where the historical flood date that was stored in different departments and libraries as hard copies and difficult to locate. These historical flood events are currently available through a website. Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water can use this model to collect all historical floods data in the country, make it available for bridge designers, and flood control projects through the website.
  5. Modeling Ballasted Tracks for Pollutants. Report No. CDOT -2012-7. The findings of this research project are applicable to Afghanistan railways lines.
  6. Modeling Ballasted Tracks for Runoff Coefficient C. Report No. CDOT -2012-8. The findings of this project are also applicable to Afghanistan railway tracks.
  7. Development of New Corrosion / Abrasion Guidelines for Selection of Culvert Pipe Material. Report No. CDOT -20019-1. The finding of this research project is very important for Afghanistan. Afghanistan shall not allow metal culvert pipes under its highways where there is year-round flow-carrying sediment, culverts with steeper than one percent slope and where there is a high corrosive water and soil environment at the site. The MPW and other institutions placing metal culverts under their roadways shall test the water and the backfill material for corrosion prior to placing metal pipe under the roadway.
  8. Detour Drainage Structure Design Procedure. Report No. CDOT – DTD-R-2005-5. This research provide methodology for designing culvert pipe for temporary roadway crossing during construction of the bridge over streams. Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and other institutions, building new bridges or replacing current bridges over dry streams, washes and flowing rivers can used this project procedure to develop their own procedures to size culvert pipes for streamflow during construction. The MPW can use the methodology of this research and can develop their own procedure for temporary roadway crossing during the construction of the actual structure.

Discussions

The author urges readers of the SAE eNewsletter to visit the CDOT website and download the final reports of their interest.

Colorado is very similar in its weather conditions and topography to Afghanistan. Colorado Eastern Plains for example are as Ghazni and Zabul rolling hills. The Central Mountains and the Rocky Mountains valley are like Kunar, Nuristan, Bamyan, Takhar and Badakhshan mountains and valleys in Afghanistan with harsh winter and pleasant summer.

Most of the CDOT research findings and recommendations can be implemented in Afghanistan by various ministries. A good example is that the author has transferred the CDOT Avalanche Mitigation Methods to Afghanistan Ministry of Public Works staff during his capacity building training in Afghanistan in 2012.

Recommendations

In the last issue of SAE eNewsletter the author read the interview with the Chancellor of Kabul University. Among other important interesting and important information was the establishment and enhancement of Research Program within the Kabul University.

The author recommends and encourages professors from Kabul University research branch to prepare Problem Statements and submit them to different government ministries and institutions. The Ministries know their problems and research needs. They should submit their problem statements to Universities for considerations and proposals.

The author also encourages the Ministry of Public Works to team up with universities in Afghanistan and develop Detour Drainage Structure Design Procedure for Afghanistan as a startup project. They can use the Colorado DOT Detour Drainage Structure Design Procedure publication as a guide.

The Ministry of Public Works and Ministry of Energy and Water can initiate research projects like Colorado DOT to develop a web-based flood database for the entire country. This will provide tools for the emergency disaster relief department staff to be proactive and identify flood prone areas in the country.

The Colorado DOT/ United State Geological Survey (USGS) Paleo-flood Investigation report findings and recommendation can be another good research initiative for the Afghanistan University and Ministry of Public Works to initiate similar studies for Afghanistan streams where there is no streamflow gauge data.

If time allows and the future SAE eNewsletter publications has space, the author will focus on other few research projects in detail, including its application to Afghanistan.

About the Author

Mr. Amanullah Mommandi attended Kabul University where he graduated from the College of Engineering with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 1968.

Upon graduation from Kabul University, Mr. Mommandi went on to complete a year in the Reserved Military Officer Corps. Subsequently, he joined the Soil and Water Survey Authority in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and served as a water resource engineer until 1973.

After working for the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Mommandi pursued graduate studies in Water Resource and Hydraulics at the Colorado State University located in Fort Collins, Colorado where he obtained his master’s degree and a national in water resources.

After completing his graduate studies in the United States, Mr. Mommandi returned to Afghanistan and started working for the Ministry of Water and Power (MPW). He started as General Director of Planning, General Director of Technical Monitoring and Inspection and finally as the President of Kunduz Khanabad Water Resource Authority.

Mr. Mommandi then transitioned to the private sector as a consultant after immigrating to the United States. His next career move landed him at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and for the past twenty-eight years serving as CDOT Hydraulics Engineer and Hydraulic Program Manager.

Mr. Mommandi is a professional engineer holding the position of CDOT Director of Applied Research and Innovation Branch since 2013. His responsibilities include, directing, coordinating, initiating, participating, conducting and supervising research projects related to transportation. The author enjoys teaching classes in the in-Water Resource and Hydraulics and Best Management Practices (BMP) related to water quality and erosion control.

Mr. Mommandi joined the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) in the early nineties, chaired the SAE Colorado Chapter and served two terms as an SAE Board of Director. Currently he is the Vice President of SAE.

Mr. Mommandi SAE past related activities:
During the months of May and June of 2012, Mr. Mommandi went on a family trip to Afghanistan 31 years after leaving the country. In June 2012, Mr. Mommandi, presented twelve topics related transportation in Ministry of Public Works, four topics at College of Engineering and 2 topics at Khenjan to the Ministry of Public Works, Salang Maintenance Staff and Baghlan Provincial Council members.

He introduced the idea of the Avalanche Mitigation process to Afghanistan. He provided nine software programs related to drainage, hydraulics and hydrology to the meeting attendees free of charge. Mr. Mommandi accompanied Minister Aoudjan and others to inspect the highway from Kabul to Khenjan including the Salang Tunnel and recommended drainage and safety improvements to the highway.

Mr. Amanullah Mommandi, M.S; P.E
Office Email: amanullah.mommandi@state.co.us
Personal Email: mommandia@gmail.com

Interview with Dr. Zabihullah Mojaddidy, Former Governor of Kabul Province

By: Ghulam Mujtaba, MS CE, PE, CPM

The Editorial Board of the SAE eNewsletter has generally included an interview in every issue of the newsletter with a successful leader, executive manager, president, dean, professor, architect, engineer, contractor, or any other professionals. We are very pleased that for this issue of the newsletter we found a chance to have an interview with Dr. Zabihullah Mojaddidy the former Governor of Kabul Province. He is one of the founders and former President of the Afghanistan based Society of Afghan Architects and Engineers (SAAE).

Currently, Dr. Mojaddidy is serving in Afghanistan as a Board member of the SAAE, the Secretary General of the Afghan National Liberation Front (ANLF) and Senior Deputy Director of Independent Commission for Dispute Resolution and People-Government Relations (ICDRPR). He is also an active member of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE).

Dr. Zabihullah Mojaddidy is well known for his integrity of character, professionalism, dedication to his responsibilities and administrative discipline among his colleagues within and outside Afghanistan. He is a role model for younger Afghans whose goals are to receive their higher education and be successful professionals at their career services. The Afghan professional engineering communities are very proud that one of their engineering colleagues has served as a successful leader, university professor, and engineer.

The author has been impressed with Dr, Mojaddidy’s scholastic background, work experience, and leadership. He asked Dr. Mojaddidy for interview with the editor of the SAE eNewsletter. Dr. Mojaddidy graciously accepted the author’s request.

The following are the interview questions/discussions (Q) and Dr. Mojaddidy’s responses (R).

Q: I thank you for the acceptance of our request to have an interview with you. As a friend and colleague, I am familiar with you, your respected family, and your accomplishments. It is easy for me to write articles about your education, experience, and accomplishments. Instead, it will be more interesting to the readers of SAE eNewsletter to directly read your responses. Please tell us about your birthplace, your family, ancestors, and the places that you and your ancestors have lived.

R: On the outset I should state that it is my pleasure to have this interview with a capable professional and colleague such as yourself and for this valued eNewsletter of the SAE. I have enjoyed reading this newsletter and want to take this opportunity to congratulate you and all members of the Newsletter Subcommittee, especially its Editorial Board for your fine work.

May I also state that response to this question will be rather long, to say the least.

Well, I was born in Kabul in 1946 (Solar HijriYr.1325).

As my name reveals, I belong to the “Mojaddidy” family that is named after our ancestor, the renowned Muslim scholar and spiritual figure, Shaikh Ahmad Serhindi (RA), Known as Mujaddid Al-Fesani (or the revivalist of the second millennium-of Hijra Calendar). Our lineage is traced to Khalif Omar (May Allah be Pleased with Him).

Shaikh Ahmad (RA) was given the title of “Mojaddid” by the consensus of religious scholars of the Muslim world for his valuable work to revive Islam to its original and right perspective by removing all deviations and misunderstandings that had developed in the course of one thousand years and were prevalent at that time he lived – at the start of second millennium of Hijri Calendar. Although Shaikh Mujaddid lived in Serhind, a district in today’s Indian Panjab, Shaikh Mujaddid’s fifth generation descendant, Shaikh Shah Safiullah (RA) migrated to Kabul to serve as a religious scholar and spiritual leader in the newly established state of Afghanistan on invitation from King Ahmad Shah Baba Durrani [1722-1773 (1134-1186 Solar Hijri Calendar)]. From this immigration onward, we as the descendants of Hazrat Sha Safiullah remained in Afghanistan under the family name of “Mojaddidy” and are also known as the “Hazarat” family. Thus, our citizenship of Afghanistan dates back for over 250 years, or almost three centuries.

Q: Which schools did you attend and what are the fields of your specialization?

R: I started my elementary education at Masood Al-Saad Elementary School and completed my high school diploma at Habibiah High School in Kabul in 1966. Then completed the sophomore year at the College of Engineering, Kabul University at which time I won an East-West Center scholarship to the University of Hawaii, in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. I completed my BS in Civil Engineering from this university in 1971. Then, I acquired admission to Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech.) where I completed an MS in Civil Engineering/Structures (1973) and a Ph.D. in Engineering Science & Mechanics (1977).

Q: What types of professional careers you have had in Afghanistan and abroad?

R: I have served on the faculty at the Department of Engineering Sciences, College of Architecture & Planning, King Faisal University; Saudi Arabia, where I taught Structures and Civil Engineering courses to the Architectural Students

In the United States, I worked as a Consultant and Senior Structural Engineer and Engineer Specialist III / Project Manager in Louden County, VA.

In Afghanistan, I have worked as Senior Capacity Development and Quality Assurance (QA) Advisor, Director of Design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) and Capacity Development Departments, Technical Advisor and Senior Operation & Maintenance Advisor/Transport; with various international engineering firms from Year 2004 to Year 2016.

My volunteer works included devoting eight years of service to the Afghan refugees of the Soviet occupation in Peshawar, Pakistan, which I assisted the resistance against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan; served as an Associate Professor at the Ahmad Shah Abdali University for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan (1994-96), Director of College of Engineering Advisory Board at Kabul University (2006-2009) and member of the Higher Council for Town Development (an entity of the present Afghan Government) in Kabul (2017 to present time).

Q: I congratulate you for your successful educational and career accomplishments. What has been the key to your successes?

R: Thank you, but despite the various professional tasks that I have been involved with, I do not consider myself an accomplished professional. My social, humanitarian, and political involvements have indeed hindered my professional work and have effectively prevented me to reach my ultimate professional goals. For example, at the height of my professional career, when I was a faculty member at King Faisal University (1977-1987), I decided to leave that university to serve the Afghan refugees of the Soviet Occupation in Pakistan for over eight years. With my presence in Pakistan, I was obliged to be also politically involved in the resistance against that brutal Soviet Occupation.

In what little success I have had, I am indebted to my Faith in God and to the valuable guidance I have received from my respected father who has indeed been my role model in life and, last but not least, to the relentless support I have received from my late wife, Khadija, who always stood by my side with remarkable courage and determination.

Q: Your father, Mohtaram Hazrat Sahib, past President of Afghanistan, is a great religious scholar and role model for all of us. I am wishing him a long healthy life. May God grant Sister Khadija the highest level in Jannah for the support that she has given you and for raising good children. Please tell us if you are member of any national or international professional societies and institutes. What type of affiliation do you have with the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) and how have you contributed to the professional assistance of Afghan communities in Afghanistan and United Sates?

R: I can summarize my professional affiliations as follows:
* Life Member; American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – USA
* Charter (Founding) Member; Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of ASCE – USA
* Two-time past President & Founding Member; Society of Afghan Architects & Engineers (SAAE) –Afghanistan
* Member, Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) – USA
* Member; International Who is Who of Professionals, 1997

I became member of SAE in 1996 when I returned to the US for professional work. Soon I was elected as a member of the SAE Board of Directors and served in that capacity until I left the US in 2004 to serve on reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, from 2004 to the present time, I have been involved in humble efforts to enhance the professional capacity of fellow Afghan engineers and architects, both through the Afghanistan-based Society of Afghan Architects and Engineers (SAAE) and through my work with various private firms. I also helped the engineering staff of the Ministry of Public Works in Afghanistan when I was working as Senior Capacity Development and Quality Assurance Advisor with Hill International, Inc. in Kabul. At that time, I conducted a thorough survey of the professional development needs of the engineering staff of that Ministry and managed the development and instructions of eight engineering and management courses for those staff members. I also succeeded to develop three manuals for the Ministry of Public Works; namely a manual on QA of Roadway Design, manual on QA/QC of Roadway Construction and a manual on Safety in Roadway and Bridge Construction.

Also, during my terms as President of the SAAE and with the help of our Board, I managed the planning and implementation of a few professional seminars and workshops for young Afghan architects and engineers. The SAAE is still sponsoring biweekly or monthly seminars.

Q: Please tell us how many Afghan architectural and engineering Societies are available in Afghanistan. What are their goals and future visions? How successful they have been in reaching their goals?

R: At the start of the new reconstruction (from 2003 onward), we witnessed a surge in establishment of professional engineering and architectural societies. However, many of these societies did not survive the challenges that were on the way of maintaining proficient professional societies in the prevailing Afghan environment, where familiarity with such societies were very limited and the art of volunteering were not well grasped by our colleagues in the profession.

At present, at least two such major societies are present and active; one is the Society of Afghan Architects and Engineers (SAAE) and the other the Afghan Engineering Association (AEA). Our two societies have succeeded to form a unity under the name of Unity of Afghan Societies of Architectural and Engineering (UASAE).

Q: How can the Afghan professional societies within and outside Afghanistan be of help in the architectural and engineering activities of Afghanistan?

R: By conducting seminars, training workshops, conducting courses on specific topics of interest, sponsoring conferences on topics of significance to the development of Afghanistan and presenting the ensuing recommendations to the government; and most importantly by acquiring the right of professional licensing in the Afghan professional environment, where the professions of Engineering and Architecture are not really well defined.

Q: Your name has been listed as 1997 Member of International Who-is-Who of Professionals. Please tell us briefly about the agency and how your name has been included as member of this agency?

R: International Who-is-Who of Professionals holds a directory of professionals, in various fields and on the international scene, that is called “THE ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY”. Significance of being selected as a member of this organization is best outlined by their charter which states that “Selection for inclusion to this organization and membership is a testament to the professional, academic and civic achievement of the member.”

I was selected by this organization through their own research that they conduct worldwide to recognize professionals with exceptional achievements in combined technical, academic and social/civic areas. In other words, the professional and academic potentials of these individuals should have had their positive impact on human societies. The humble services I have rendered to the Afghan refugees in Pakistan, could have also had an impact on my selection.

Q: For how long did you serve as the governor of Kabul province and what type of challenges and successes you have had during your service in this position?

R: I served in that position for a year and nine months. Despite many limitations, I tried my utmost to serve and deliver whatever best I could. Among the many developmental and reconstruction activities that we were able to conduct, I put a special effort on cultural services, so we can prevent the surge of negative foreign cultural influences that were imposed on Kabul by the presence of agencies of several foreign and neighboring countries in this historic province. To this end, I am glad to mention that I established the first provincial magazine for Kabul by the name of “Kabul Hindarah” or the Face of Kabul. This prestigious magazine is still being published.

On the same line, I formed a Cultural Committee through the Governor’s office with membership from university professors, the Afghan Academy of Sciences and other scholars and, with the help of this learned committee we embarked on sponsoring quarterly academic seminars about various key and historic personalities of Kabul Province. The proceedings of these seminars were being published and distributed to universities, schools and relevant government offices throughout the country and they were very well received.

Of course, there were many challenges; the most difficult ones to mention were the presence of various mafia in the province and corruption in the government as well as lack of the needed authority that should have been delegated to the Kabul Governor. After a year and nine months, I resigned from this post. I presented my written resignation to President Karzai in person, that was based on lack of political support from the State leadership.

Q: Please tell us briefly about the area of your professional articles and publications.

R: I should point out that at the start of my professional currier, I embarked on high technical research and was able to publish a few papers and present them in prestigious international conferences. However, as I got involved in the Afghan resistance against the Soviet occupation and in assisting the Afghan refugees, I failed to continue my research. Hence, I have much fewer articles and papers that I could have, should I have been able to pursue my research without interruption. Because you kindly asked, I am providing a short list of my published papers and articles as follows:

  • “Nonlinear Analysis of the A Periodic Responses of Beams,” Proceedings of the Sixth Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics, 1977. Co-authors: D.T. Mook, A.H. Nayfeh.
  • “Nonlinear Detuning of Resonant Structural Vibrations,” Proceedings of the Seventh Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics, 1979. Co-authors: D.T. Mook, A.H. Nayfeh.
  • “Model Couplings in the Aperiodic Responses of Beams,” Submitted to the Eighth Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics, 1981.
  • Partial results of research on Nonlinear Vibrations included in the authoritative book on the subject titled “Nonlinear Oscillations” by A.H. Nayfeh and D.T. Mook; Wiley Inter-science, N.Y., 1979.
  • “Problems of Tall Building Structures in Afghanistan; and Suggested Remedial Solutions”, Published in Proceedings of the 4th. Scientific Seminar of Kabul Municipality, Kabul, 2013.
  • “Role of Muslims in Development of Sciences”; Presented in 2nd Congress of the Society of Afghan Architects and Engineers (SAAE), 2009

Q: For how long and in which university were you teaching engineering subjects?

R: I was on the faculty of King Faisal University, College of Architecture & Planning, Department of Engineering Science sat Dammam, Saudi Arabia from 1977 to 1987. I resigned from that post in 1987in favor of serving the Afghan Refugees and to support the Afghan resistance against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

I also thought at Ahmad Shah Abdali University for Afghan Refugees at Peshawar, Pakistan, from 1994 to1996. I managed to support that university in different ways and helped build an engineering library for its College of Engineering. At the present, I am not involved in teaching.

Q: How many universities are there in Afghanistan? Is there a requirement regarding the establishment and accreditation of the colleges, universities, and other educational institutes in Afghanistan?

R: Based on information I received from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), there are 131 universities and higher education institutes in Afghanistan.

Requirements and standards governing institutions of higher education in the country are in place, have been approved by the Afghan Cabinet and have been published in the official journals of the Ministry of Justice. I have not read through these regulations, so cannot elaborate on them. However, I do think these include standards of accreditation as well.

Recently, I met the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Najibullah Khwaja Omary, who told me he has initiated an effort at the Ministry to re-evaluate the institutions in three comprehensive stages and that this may result revoking the licenses of some of these institutions. I believe this is a positive step and wish Dr. Khwaja Omary success in this important initiative.

Q: Are there any plan for employment of graduates from these universities?

R: Unfortunately, I do not know of any specific plans for employment of graduates from these universities.

Q: How is the status and plan for development of standardization of Afghan building code, construction specifications, plans, structural drainage design guidelines, manuals, and materials test methods?

R: The task of developing codes and standards of Design and Construction was initially taken over by a department at the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing. At various stages, the department in charge presented their output to professional circles, including the SAAE, for review. Then the Afghan National Standard Authority (ANSA) was established by the government and took full charge of not only development of codes for construction and design, but also to establish national standards for quality and testing of materials.

Based on information provided by ANSA, this office has established over five hundred (585 to be exact) standards for quality and testing of materials ranging from construction materials to fuels, food items, medical supplies. electrical supplies and a wide range of other materials. ANSA has also developed various design and construction codes. Following are among the codes ANSA has developed on construction and design:

  • Afghan Structural Code,
  • Afghan Bridge Design Code,
  • Energy Efficient Code for Buildings,
  • Afghan Highway and Street Geometric Design Code,
  • Afghan Architectural code,
  • Afghan Urban Development Code

This in my view demonstrates meaningful progress by ANSA, considering that they continue their work on developing more codes and standards.

Q: Is there an Afghan Department of professional regulations for evaluation of the credentials of engineering companies, testing laboratories; and contractors/engineering consultants, engineers, technicians, and inspectors who are involved in the design and construction activities of the buildings, roadways, bridges, and other Afghan infrastructures?

R: I do not know of the existence of such a Department. However, at the start of President Ghani’s term he rightfully expressed concern for the lack of classification of engineering design and construction firms in the country and evaluation of their credentials. A joint committee was formed under the chairmanship of Architect Yosuf Pashtun Sahib, Advisor to the President, to address this very important and legitimate concern. The committee in which the SAAE, AEA and ABA (Afghan Building Association) representatives participated was tasked to establish norms and procedures for classifying engineering and architectural firms, both in design and construction, in terms of their specialties, capabilities and potentials. It was understood that based on recommendations of this joint committee, engineering and architectural firms will be classified and these firms will be allowed to bid only on those government projects that are within the scope of their specialties and capabilities.

The committee, in which I was one of the representatives of the SAAE, after considerable deliberations came up with specific recommendations and Pashtun Sahib submitted them to the office of the President. Unfortunately, months later I was told by Pashtun Sahib that the office of the President did not take any action regarding the implementation of our recommendations and, as I understand the state of affairs are the same as it were before our recommendations.

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

R: First, I take this opportunity to present my Salaams and regards to all colleagues at the SAE and wish them success in their professional and other endeavors.

Afghanistan as our motherland and our fellow and courageous Afghan Nation is now, more than ever, in need of our professional services. This is because foreign aid for Afghanistan is diminishing in the areas of reconstruction and development and, as such we need to contribute our time and knowhow mostly on volunteering bases.

We all understand that SAE was established to keep Afghan engineers and architects in contact and to assist in enhancing professional knowledge and experience among Afghan professionals, so we can give back to Afghanistan through our professional knowledge and resources.

I have deep respect for how my fellow SAE colleagues feel for their motherland and for what the SAE has done so far for this war-torn country. It is time we get more active in this respect and do more for Afghanistan. My message to non-SAE readers of this wonderful and informative newsletter is the same – that is to get more active and contribute to the development of Afghanistan with whatever resources at their disposal.

Q: On behalf of the Editorial Board of the SAE eNewsletter, I thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to have interview and share your thoughts with the readers of the newsletter. I congratulate you for your roles in serving Afghanistan as an engineer and leader. I am wishing for your continued successes in reaching your goals and visions to be of better service to the people of Afghanistan. Finally, what advice would you offer to SAE that how they could be of help in any engineering and architectural activities of Afghanistan.

R: I in turn thank you for this opportunity to be featured of your informative SAE eNewsletter.

I feel that I have expressed myself on the need for SAE involvement in areas of development in Afghanistan. On when and how aspects; in my view the time is now, and SAE can help in the following areas:

  1. Sponsoring joint seminars and conferences with the Afghanistan based engineering and architectural societies on issues concerning the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan; such as the SAAE, AEA and the UASAE.
  2. Conducting research on issues relevant to the development needs of Afghanistan and sharing the outcomes and conclusions with relevant departments of the Afghan government as well as Afghan based professional societies.
  3. Seeking consultation opportunities with the Afghan government entities to assist them in their professional and research needs.
  4. Guiding and assisting Afghan students, candidates of postgraduate education, to gain admission to US universities.
  5. Seeking training opportunities for Afghan engineers and architects with US firms and government entities.
  6. Assisting newly arriving Afghan immigrants to the US in their resettlement and the professionals among them with finding jobs relevant to their professions. Although, Afghanistan is losing these individuals currently due to security problems and lack of employment opportunities, we still count on them as professional assets for Afghanistan; just as we count on our SAE colleagues.
  7. Maintaining the existing activities of the SAE and expanding on it so Afghan professionals in the US can be assisted in enhancing their knowhow and experiences, as you all are valuable assets for Afghanistan and the country you are residing in.

May I add that to facilitate the realization of activities suggested in items 3, 4 & 5 above, joint committees need be established with the local engineering and architectural societies in Afghanistan. SAAE will be glad to join the SAE in this effort.

Obituaries

It is with sorrow that our three respected engineering colleagues, Mr. Abdul Samad Saleem, Mr. Abdul Qudus Majeed, and Mr. Mirza Mohammad Mushtaq passed away.

Marhoom Engineer Abdul Samad Saleem was a former Minister of Mines and Industries of Afghanistan, and former professor of Kabul University.

Marhoom Engineer Abdul Qudus Majeed was a former Deputy Minister of Mines and Industries of Afghanistan. He passed away in Jacksonville, Florida on June 1, 2018. Mr. Majeed’s Jinaza, burial Service, and Fatiha were held on Sunday, June 3, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Marhoom Engineer Mirza Mohammad Mushtaq was one of the senior engineers of the Ministry of Water and Power of Afghanistan and a member of the Society of Afghan Engineers.

Mr. Abdul Samad Saleem, Mr. Abdul Qudus Majeed, and Mr. Mirza Mohammad Mushtaq were among the senior engineers who have served Afghanistan.

It is with heavy heart that we must share this sad news with the readers of the SAE eNewsletter. The Society of Afghan Engineers express their heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to Mr. Saleem, Mr. Majeed, and Mr. Mushtaq’s families, friends, and Afghan engineering communities within and outside Afghanistan.

May God bless their soul in Jannat-ul Firdaus and give their families Sabre Jameel and Ajre Azeem. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in this difficult time.

The obituaries of Mr. Saleem and Mr. Mushtaq are included in this issue of the newsletter.

Obituary of Mr. Abdul Samad Saleem, former Minister of Mines and Industries of Afghanistan

Mr. Abdul Saleem passed away in Australia on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at the age of 94.

Mr. Abdul Samad Saleem, son of Qari Abdul Salam and grandson of Hafez Khedhr Mohamad, had his elementary and secondary school in Kabul, Afghanistan. His higher education started in the College of Science, Kabul Pohantoon (University) majoring in chemistry.

In 1948 he was awarded a government scholarship to study mining in USA and started majoring in miming and geology first at the New Mexico School of Mines, Socorro, New Mexico, where he studied as freshman and sophomore. In 1950 he transferred to Stanford University, Palo Alto, California. He completed M.S in geology in 1954.

Upon returning home in Afghanistan he worked as a civil servant until 1992. During the above period he served successfully as Director of Mine Exploration, Director General of Afghanistan Geological Survey, Director General of Miming Department, Director General of Industries Department, Deputy Minister of Mines and Industries and as Minister of Mines and Industries in two government cabinets. Afterwards he joined Kabul university and taught geology, hydrology, petroleum geology, engineering geology and surveying in Science, Engineering, and Earth Science colleges.

He also served as Dean of the Earth Science College and several, university committees such as the research and publication committees, etc.

After Kabul University he has served as Vice President, in Natural Science Division of Afghanistan Academy of Science. His last job in Afghanistan government was Deputy Minister in Economic Affairs.

He had published articles on mineral resource problems and Seismic situation in Afghanistan and neighboring areas in the Journal of Ministry of Mines and Industries and the Natural Science Journal of Kabul University. Among his publication is a textbook on geologic mapping used by senior class in geology.

He has represented Afghanistan in several regional and international technical meetings such as UNESCO, the International Geologic Congress, Word Oil Congress, ECAFE etc.

The internal unrest and wars in the country eventually took him and his family in 1992 as refugeeing Pakistan and eventually in 1999 as a migrant to Australia and retirement from technical working.

Obituary of Engineer Mirza Mohammad Mushtaq

Former President of Planning for Ministry of Water and Power

Engineer Mirza Mohammad Mushtaq, former President of Planning for Ministry of Water and Power passed away at the age of 79 on August 19, 2018. To God we belong and to him we shall return. He was buried in Muslim cemetery in Ajax Ontario in Canada. He is survived by his wife, five daughters, and one son.

Late Engineer Mirza Mohammad Mushtaq was one of the experienced and a professional engineer of Afghanistan. He was a devoted person to his work and served his nation and people with dignity and honor. He served the country in chastity and faithfully during all governments without being a member of any political party. He served his nation and people loyally and dutifully as far as he could. During his services, in Water and Soil Survey Authority, Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resource, and Ministry of Water and Power, he worked as hydrologist, supervisors of projects, President of Parwan Irrigation Project, President of Project’s Inspection Department, President of Planning, and Senior Advisor. By getting suitable work record in 1990 he was promoted to rank one of governmental services and in 1993 he was promoted to beyond the rank.

One of Mr. Mushtaq’s former colleagues in the Ministry of Water and Power of Afghanistan mentioned that Mr. Mushtaq was a very sincere person. He had very high work ethics. He was always presenting a smiley face at work. His longer volunteering work hours were a testimony of his love for his motherland. He was a very trusted friend and co-worker that you could always count on him during the need. He will be always missed by those that known him personally, worked with him or worked for him.

Mirza Mohammad was born in Shash Qalaa Village in Kolangar District of Logar Province in 1939 and he got his primary education in Kolangar primary school and then he entered to Afghanistan Institute of Technology (AIT). He graduated from the Department of Mechanics of AIT in 1960. He got his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University in 1965. In 1972 under a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) fellowship program, he got one-year training in design of hydraulic structures in Australia. During his service he had many educational and wok related trips to various countries.

Due to insecurity and internal fighting in Kabul, he fled to Pakistan in 1993 and then in 1996 he immigrated to Canada. He became a member of SAE in 1996.

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.”

Announcements:

(1) The 2018 SAE Membership Renewal

Dear Members of the Society:

The Management of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) would like to remind all members that 2018 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 the financial means to organize and host events and seminars on relevant technical topics. The membership renewal application can be downloaded from our website at www.afghanengineers.org

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.

(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 2018. 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 2018

Date First Name Last Name Fee Paid $ Donation $ Total Payment $ Remarks
1/19/2018 Mahmood Samayzai 60 0 60
1/19/2018 Atiq Panjshiri 60 0 60
2/7/2018 Ghulam Mujtaba 60 140 200
2/7/2018 Steve Rossi 60 60 120
3/5/2018 Gul Afghan Saleh 60 40 100
2/26/2018 Abdul Nazeer Babacarkhial 180 70 250 Paid for 2018-2020
2/18/2018 Abdul Manan Khalid 60 40 100
1/1/2018 Aziz Ghani 0 0 0 Paid in 2017 for 2017-2018
3/5/2018 Reza M. Afshar 60 100 160
2/28/2018 Hashem Baluch 60 0 60
2/26/2018 Abdul W. Hassani 60 0 60
3/13/2018 Hashem Rayeq 60 0 60
3/5/2018 Yar Ebadi 60 0 60
2/26/2018 Amin Mahmood 60 0 60
2/26/2018 Zarjan Baha 120 0 120 Paid for 2018-2019
2/28/2018 Naim Ahmadzai 60 0 60
3/13/2018 Homayun Saadut 60 40 100
4/5/2018 Zabihullah Zaca 60 0 60
4/5/2018 Zia Yamayee 60 140 200
4/7/2018 Jalal Masumi 60 40 100
4/15/2018 Hafiz Wardak 120 0 120 Paid for 2018-2019
5/21/2018 Farid Abass 60 0 60
8/4/2018 Keshawarz Saleh M. 180 0 180 Paid for 2018-2020

Comments and Suggestions About SAE eNewsletter

The Editorial Board of the SEA eNewsletter has received comments from the respected Society members and readers of the Newsletter related to the July 2018 issue of the newsletter. The following are their emails, addressed to the Chief Editor:

  1. Dr. Samady, former Deputy Minister of Education; and President of the Department of Vocational Education and Teacher Training of Afghanistan.
    “Thank you and best wishes.”
  2. Mr. Khalil Nouri
    “You’ve been indispensable and central to our Society of Afghan Engineers. Thank you for everything you are doing to keep this intact for years. May you be rewarded for your kind and sincere intentions.”
  3. Dr. Zarjon Baha, Professor of Purdue University, former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University
    “Thank you for keeping us updated on the activities of our society. The newspaper has been a very good instrument to keep us all informed and make us aware of the issues of interest to Afghanistan. You have done a great job in this regard.”
  4. Dr. Sharif Hossainy, former Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
    “Wanted to acknowledge the receipt of your email regarding the third quarterly issue of the 2018 SAE eNewsletter. Thank you for your kind efforts and volunteering.”
  5. Mr. Hasan Nouri, President, FluvialTech Inc and Former professor of Kabul University
    “Every morning I meditate and thank God for all the good things that have happened in my life. In that meditation I mention the names of my students at the Faculty of Engineering and your name is one of them. Regards,”
  6. Dr. Zabihullah Mojaddidy, Former Governor of Kabul Province
    “Good to hear from you and thanks for having me in the distribution list for the SAE eNewsletter. I enjoy reading this publication and wish you and all assisting staff for this valuable work.”

Editor’s Responses:

Dear Commentators of the SAE eNeswsletter:

I have responded to your emails individually upon their receipt and would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you again for your comments, suggestions, and kind worlds. The work of the newsletter is joint efforts of the Newsletter Subcommittee and its contributors like yourself. The Newsletter Subcommittee is very pleased to know that you have received and enjoyed reading the past issues of the quarterly publication of the SAE eNewsletter. Thanks for your contributions to the activities of the newsletter in the past.

You have always provided us valuable comments/suggestions, which have had great role in the improvement of the quality of the our publication We are looking forward to your continued support by sending us your professional articles and architectural/engineering related news. We all benefit and learn from reading them.

Please advise if you have any comments/suggestions for improvement of the newsletter quality.

The Society of Afghan Engineers Organization

SAE Executive Committee Members:
* President: Atiq Panjshiri
* Vice President: Amanullah Mohmmandi
* Treasurer: Mohammad Hashem Baluch
* Secretary: TBA
* Manager: TBA

SAE Board of Directors-Officers:
* Chairperson: Sohaila Sanie Shekib
* Vice-Chairman: Gul Afghan Saleh
* Executive Director: Abdul Nazeer Babacarkhial

Members SAE Board of Directors:
Farid Abass, Reza Afshar, Nazeer Babacarkhial, Rafaat Ludin, Gul Afghan Saleh, Mahmoud Samizay, Mohammad 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

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

Membership Application

The SAE is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone (Home/Office)
  • Email
  • Degree Level
  • Field of Expertise
  • Years of Experience

Membership Type:
* Regular member: I have at least four (4) years of architectural or engineering education.
* Associate member: I have at least two (2) years of architectural or engineering education.

Fees:
* Annual 2018 Membership: $60.00
* Donation amount
* Total amount submitted