SAE Newsletter – July 2019, Volume 9, Issue 3, Saratan 1398

Dear Colleagues:

It is a pleasure to provide you the third issue of the 2019 SAE eNewsletter (newsletter) with latest information about the activities of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE).

This is the ninth 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 article about Afghanistan’s water resources by Engineer Mr. M. Hashim Rayek.

An interview has been held with Dr. Fazil T. Najafi, Professor at the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida, USA. There is news about the Joint Conference on Waters of Afghanistan and e-Governance, which has been sponsored by the Society of Afghan Engineers & Afghan Academy in Alexandria, VA. The conference was held from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Saturday April 27, 2019.

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

Very Truly Yours,

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

“This issue of the SAE eNewsletter features an article about Afghanistan’s water resources.”

Inside This Issue

• Greetings from the SAE President
• Joint Conference on Waters of Afghanistan and e-Governance
• Afghanistan’s Water Resources
• Interview with Dr. Fazil T. Najafi, Professor at the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida.
• Membership News
• Announcements
• Membership Renewal Fee and Donations in 2019
• Obituary
• Comments and Suggestions
• The Society of Afghan Engineers Organization
• Membership Application

Greetings from the SAE President

Dear SAE Colleagues Salaam:

I wish everyone a happy and healthy summer. SAE’s new year 2019 started with the 2019 Annual Conference titled “Sustainable Land Development in Afghanistan”. It was on overall successful professional conference.

After the success of the Annual Conference, SAE and the Afghan Academy of Northern Virginia jointly hosted another successful event titled “Waters of Afghanistan and e-Governance”. Eng. Mohammad Hashim Rayek, a founding member of the Society who has extensive hands-on knowledge on the waters of Afghanistan, provided a highly informative presentation on this topic. Mr. Farid Abass, a current member of SAE’s Board of Directors, shared with audience his professional knowledge on Electronic Governance including its advantages to the people and government of Afghanistan. I hope to include a copy of both presentations in this issue or October 2019 issue of the SAE eNewsletter.

We were pleasantly surprised to welcome the Mayor of Kabul Mr. Zaki Sarfraz at this conference. The Mayor was on a short business trip to Washington, D.C. and requested to participate at this gathering of Afghan professionals. After a brief introduction, I invited the Mayor to provide a brief summary of the opportunities, changes, challenges and difficulties he has observed since taking over the office of mayor three months ago. Mayor Sarfraz provided a brief summary of his office’s activities and showed promising optimism for a better future for the City of Kabul.

Following the conference, SAE members had two separate meetings with the Mayor, one at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C. and a dinner reception hosted by SAE at Bamian Restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia. Both meetings were productive and different topics of interest were discussed. The Mayor expressed his appreciation for SAE activities and asked for SAE’s assistance on different projects lead by Kabul Municipality. Now, with the Kabul Mayor’s personal request for assistance, it is up to SAE members to step up and provide their professional assistance when requested.

For the remainder of 2019, we plan to host 2 more seminars on different topics of interest. We will announce each of these seminars well in advance so that members may participate. One seminar is planned for mid-September 2019 focused on the Energy Sector in Afghanistan. More details will be provided in advance.

The future of the Society’s activities depends greatly on the participation of our members and financial contributions through membership dues. Your membership fee payment will enable the organization to host valuable and beneficial gatherings of Afghan professionals. I personally request that members who have not been able to pay their nominal membership fees, submit their fees as soon as possible, along with the attached membership renewal application.

Sincerely,

Atiq Panjshiri
President, Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE)

Joint Conference on Waters of Afghanistan and e-Governance

Sponsored by the Society of Afghan Engineers and Afghan Academy
Saturday April 27, 2019
3:00 -6:00 PM
Alexandria, Virginia
Presented by Engineer Hashim Rayek and Farid Abass

Mr. Mohammad Hashim Rayek, a former president and a founding member of the Society of Afghan Engineers presented information about waters of Afghanistan.

Mr. Farid Abass, a current member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Afghan Engineers, provided his presentation about electronic governance and its advantages to the people and government of Afghanistan.

The highlights of Mr. Rayek’s presentation is included in this issue of the newsletter. Mr. Abass’s presentation will be included in the October 2019 issue of the SAE eNewsletter.

Afghanistan’s Water Resources

By Eng. Hashim Rayek
Translated by Afzal Nasiri
May 2019, Virginia USA

Afghanistan Rivers

The total volume of annual renewable bodies of water in Afghanistan is 75 billion cubic meters. The volume of surface water annually is 57 billion cubic meters approximately, and the volume of subterranean water is 18 billion cubic meters, every year. Breaking this down by per head of water available in Afghanistan is 2700 cubic meters per year compared to world standard of water available per head of 1000 cubic meters.

Agricultural Land under Irrigation

From the rivers and canals 84.6 percent, from the drainage system (Karez) 7% from the natural springs 9.7 percent and from wells and deep wells ½ percent. Afghanistan has almost 7,000 drainage systems (Karez) which irrigate over 170,000 hectares’ of land. On an average one Karez irrigates 25 hectares of land. Over 188,000 Hectares’ is irrigated by 5,600 small and large natural springs.

Five Water Zones of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is divided into five major Water Zones.

1. Amu Dariya (River) – 91.5 Sq. Kilometer
2. Northern Zone 71.7 Sq Kilometer
3. Harirud-Murghab Zone 87.4 Sq Kilometer
4. Kabul (Indus) Zone 77.7 Sq Kilometer
5. Helmand River Zone 24.4 Sq Kilometer

We should also add here the free Frontier Zone of about 67.9 Sq Kilometer

Afghanistan as a whole has 41 small and large bodies of water which have been divided into 5-zones as shown below:

Amu Darya

The Amu River forms a natural boundary of Afghanistan with southern Tajekistan, full southern boundary with Uzbekistan and eastern boundary with Turkmenistan.

Amu River, also known as Jaihoon in olden days and Oxus in English is almost 2,400 kilometers long. It rises from the Zarkol and Jakmanteen lakes in Afghanistan and falls into the Oral Lake. The river forms the natural boundary in Afghanistan stretching to 1,200 kilometers. At the mouth of the lakes where the Amu River rises it is known as Wakhan River, later Pamir waters and Panch River. About 23 kilometers down the Sher Khan Bandar in the Kunduz province, it is named as Amu River.

The Amu River Zone is almost 90,690 Sq Kilometers, covering 14 % of the country. The watershed of this river are the provinces of Badakhshan, Takhar, Kunduz, Baghlan, and parts of Bamian. It provide 37 % of water needs of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan provides 30% water resource to Amu River while Tajekistan has the bulk of 61%. Turkmenistan’s contribution is only 9 percent. However, the Central Republics use almost 84% of the River water, while Afghanistan utilizes only 6%. One and a half to 2-billion cubic meters.

Water in & out of Amu River

Country	Cubic Kilometers Per year (in)	% of total	% usage
Afghanistan	24	30	0.6
Tajekistan	49	61	15.4
Uzbekistan	4.8	6	45.2
Turkmenistan	0.82	1	35.8
Kirghizstan	1.6	16	0.6

Refer to the chart showing the contribution of Afghanistan, Tajekistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kirghistan towards forming the Amu River and also the usage by each country. The usage goes down as follows: Afghanistan 30% and the rest 70%.

History of Amu Water Zone

Agreement and Letters of Understanding concerning the border line between Afghanistan and Soviet Union were signed in 1958 in Moscow. The signatories were Soviet Foreign Minister, Andre Gromyko and the Afghan Ambassador Abdul Hakim Shah Alimi.

The Agreement was signed on January 18, 1958 between the parties to the unconditional usage of Amu River Water and research and study of the Projects for Khush Tapa, Kokcha, Amu River Dam and Panj River, were part of this Understanding. The Study was done by Soviet Engineers and copies were sent to Kabul. The copies of this study were mysteriously lost after the Coup of 1979 in Afghanistan. Engineer Mohammad Reza, the Minister of Agriculture, also took part in the Study.

After this report Soviet Union undertook large projects on its side of the border. They dug the biggest water Canal in the world from the border to Turkmenistan. The canal flows one thousand cubic meter of water per second. During the rule of Daoud Khan an Afghan delegation, including Engineers Mohammad Qaseem Naimi, Abdul Ghafoor Rahim and Fazlul Omar Mojaddadi, was sent to Tashkent to renegotiate the one-sided agreement, but to no avail.

According to the UNDP report, the water resources of Central Asia have been negatively impacted by the Green House gases resulting from man made echo disasters, including cutting of trees and destroying of woods in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan and Tajekistan the temperatures have decreased 20 to 30 percent. This is a dangerous level and has a negative impact on Climate Change posing a great danger to the region. With the Climate Change looming in the world, the Echo system of the Hindu Kush Mountains and Himalayas have deteriorated, threatening negative impact on the World Echo-system.

From the Geo-political point of view, the major powers and the regional countries, all try to safeguard their National Interests, Strategic Energy Resources and Trade. We can observe behaviors of US, China and Russia. They all have their national interest dominating their actions. Countries like Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India have their own national interest, over and above other countries of the region. This complex relationship creates a diabolical effect.

After the fall of Soviet Union many regional cooperatives and organizations have sprung up in Central Asia. They are tackling the problem of Oral Lake water sharing and distribution, among the member states. Following are some of the organizations:

1. International Fund for the Security of Oral Lake
2. International Commission for water Cooperation
3. Oral Lake Zone Program
4. Central Asian Cooperation Agency
5. Energy Distribution Center
6. Cooperative Union for Central Asia Water Sector

Unfortunately, Afghanistan holds no membership in any of the above Cooperatives.

The pictures and slides show years of deterioration and damage to the Banks of Amu River. Seasonal floods have been devastating. The soil erosion is at a critical stage. Even the residential housing, close to the river, is threatened by flood waters. Houses are swept away by seasonal floods every year.

This can be seen in six provinces. However, the River provides a good source of fishing. It is both a sport and a trade.

Referring to the pictures and slides available one can notice that large Funds will be required to safeguard the Banks of the river from erosion. Resistant material like Stones and cement is needed to concrete the banks of the Amu River, providing a relief to the local population.

There are slides to show the flow of the Amu River, traversing its natural course.

Please see the attached Videos:
* https://youtu.be/y3x5M7HXp18
* https://youtu.be/BlH8vpppdL4
* https://youtu.be/O_bhUKd2NNE

Helmand Zone

Helmand, in old Dari language, means ‘abundance of water”. Helmand water runs through approximately half of the irrigated lands of Afghanistan, to be specific almost 43%. It is the longest Irrigation River in Afghanistan; and the watershed of this river are the Provinces of Farah, Helmand, Neemroz, Zabul , Oruzgan, Dai Kundi, Ghazni, Paktia and parts of Herat and Bamian.

The Helmand River is considered among the largest Rivers in Asia. Billions of Cubic Meters of water flows through it every year. This river rises from the high peaks of Kohe Baba Range, about 40 kilometers from the West of Kabul, part of Hindukush Mountains. After traversing 1,150 kilometers, it falls in the Hamoon Lake, which covers parts of Afghanistan and Iran ( in Morass of Seristan).

Helmand Water Agreement between Iran and Afghanistan

Over the years, from 1857 on there have been many contacts, negotiations and agreements between Afghanistan and Iran. In these following years 1857, 1872, 1938, 1950, 1951 and the most recent in 1972, the two countries agreed on water distribution, cooperation and understanding.

The 1972 agreement, signed by Mousa Shafiq, Prime Minister of Afghansitan and Amir Abbas Hoveyda, Prime Minter of Iran, provided Iran 22 cubic meters of water per second in normal years as their right and 4 cubic meters as goodwill gesture. This agreement defines the normal flow in Helmand river at “Da Rahod “ gauging station before Kajaki Dam will be 5,561 Million cubic meter. The rest of the water of Helmand was and is considered to be within the rights of Afghanistan. It is to be used as deemed necessary by Afghanistan. This agreement specifies the rights of the two countries.

According to the 1972 agreement Iran has no further claim on Helmand water. Even the 4 cubic meters goodwill gesture was supposed to be in exchange of 2-billion dollars coming to Afghanistan. However, this requirement was never fulfilled.

Dispute

The first modern initiative towards development in Helmand Valley was taken by Afghanistan. In 1950 the Seraj Canal work was started with the help of government of Japan. The Canal provided abundant irrigation in the area. Later in 1952, the Kajaki Dam construction started at the height of 90 meters with a Reservoir capacity of 1.7 billion cubic meters. This was followed by Arghandab Dam on Arghandab River in Kandahar at 50 meters and 78.6 million cubic meters of water per year. These dams were built with the assistance of United States in 1953.

Once Afghanistan started building dams and canals on the Afghan side, the Iranians also started digging numerous canals and dams on their side. Iranians built four water reservoirs (Neema Cha) in. They also built 16 smaller dams and dug the Gulmeer Canal- 1 and Gulmeer canal-2, Niyateeka canal, Sherdil Canal and Jarika Canal.

Iran has always claimed that it is not receiving fair share of Helmand water as provided by the 1972 agreement. However, Afghanistan claims that Iran is drawing much more water from the Afghanistan Rivers than provided by 1972 agreement. On an average Iran has drawn at least one billion cubic meters of water per year between 2011-2017 over and above the agreement allows. Afghanistan faced drought during this period.

On the other hand Iran stored almost 1,480 billion cubic meters of water in the four deep wells (Cha-Neema) which is almost twice above the spirit of the agreement. Inspite of this, Iran claims that its Siestan and Baluchistan provinces are running dry. We should point out that Hamoon Ponds are an International natural resource.

In the view of Afghanistan, Iran should have managed its water resources better so that its Siestan and Baluchistan provinces receive sufficient water from Iranian resources.

Afghanistan’s development activities took a hit during the continued internal frictions, tensions, and wars. Iran, meanwhile, enjoyed full benefit of Afghanistan’s water resources. The Harirod, Arghandab and Helmand rivers were exploited by Iran to its benefit. Iran used more than twice its right as provided by mutual agreements. They filled the Neema Wells and Siestan saw a population explosion in 1976. From 660,000 residents, it jumped to 2.7 million. Many of the resources, including the Marshes and Everglades were diverted to Zahedan province to provide potable water to the Iranian people.

According to an article by an Iranian researcher in Norway; published in February 2019, “The water need of Siestan province beside the agreement of 1972, may be approximately 600 Million Cubic meter and assume 50 cent per one Cubic meter, it may cost $300 million dollar a year. Afghanistan never received a dime for its water.”

The article further says that “ if exchanging Afghanistan’s water with oil, it may cost Iran 47,000 barrels per year.”

The life of the people of Afghanistan and Iran can be improved with a just and viable agreement between the two countries.

Helmand Marshes and Everglades

The Helmand marshes, everglades and ponds line the border of Iran and Afghanistan. The three main locations are known as Pozak, Sabiri and Helmand. Most of the Pozak and part of Sabiri are in Afghanistan and the rest in Iran. When the water levels rise all three marshes become one big body of water and provide potable water to the two populations. Of the 5,660 sq kilometers of these marshes 1840 sq kilometers are in Afghanistan and the rest in Iran. These marshes and everglades are a good source of fishing for both countries. All kinds of animal kingdom species, vertebrates and invertebrates live there and are also sustained by this water source.

Kamal Khan Dam

• See attached Youtube RL. ( https://youtu.be/68rvPA7SKlo?t=28 )

An article authored by an Afghan scholar Dr. Zia Nizam forecasts a grim picture of the planet due to Climate Change and Global Warming. Due to Earth’s rising temperature in future, many countries will be faced with water shortage. The Oral Lake and Helmand marshes are already showing signs of drying.

The Institute to study the natural resources of the world was established in 1997. Under the name of New York Convention, it is considered the prime source of Climate study. The Institute has 167 countries under study of which 33 countries will face water crisis by 2040.Most of the countries of our region are included. Afghanistan should become part of this Institute and work towards means to fight Climate Change and Global warming. The Institute’s study certifies that compared to last few decades world rainfall has dropped off 20%. Thus water may become a scarcity and also source of tension and conflict. Afghanistan, along with its neighbors Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan should join to find a common solution.

Interview with Dr. Fazil T. Najafi, Professor at the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida

By: Ghulam Mujtaba, MS CE, PE, CPM

Every issue of the SAE eNewsletter has generally included an interview 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. Fazil T. Najafi, Professor of the of Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering at the University of Florida (UF), United States of America (USA). He is the former General Director of the Building Construction, Ministry of Public Works of Afghanistan.

Dr. Najafi has received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from Kabul University. In the United States, he received his BS in Architectural Engineering (Structure), MS and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. He has worked with governmental agencies, private industry, and educational institutions for many years.

Currently, Professor Najafi is living in Gainesville, Florida, teaching and researching at the University of Florida. In addition to his teaching and research activities, he has completed many research projects and has published more than 300-refereed publications nationally, and internationally. He is well known for his integrity of character, professionalism, dedication to his work, and help his students. His students and colleagues regard him highly. He is a role model for younger Afghans immigrants who aspire to complete their higher education and be successful professionals in their careers. The Afghan professional engineering communities are very proud that one of their engineering colleagues has served as a successful professor at a top 5th ranking public university in the United States.

The author has known Professor Najafi as a friend for more than 30 years, and he has been impressed with his scholastic background, work experience, and hard work. He asked Dr. Najafi for an interview with the editor of the SAE eNewsletter. Professor Najafi graciously accepted the author’s request.

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

(Q): I thank you, Professor Najafi, for the acceptance of our request to have an interview with you. As a friend, I am familiar with you and your accomplishments. But I will ask questions so that the readers of SAE eNewsletter know about you, your scholastic background, and work experience. Please tell us about your birthplace, your family, ancestors, and the places that you and your ancestors have lived.

(R): Thank you, jenabi mohtram Ostad sahib, Mujtaba Khan for the interview opportunity to express my brief thoughts.

I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 17, 1942. I have six brothers and a sister. Ethnically, my father’s side of the family is Niazi Pashtun. I appreciate your question about my ancestors to acquaint the SAE eNewsletter audience with the lives and very valuable services of great but forgotten personalities of my lineage like my late father, teacher Hafiz (remembered the Holly Quran by heart) Maulana Abdul Majeed. My Grandfather late Hafiz Maulana Najaf Ali Khan brother of late Hafiz Maulana Dr. Abdul Ghani Khan, MD, Cambridge, England (1874-1883), who lived in Jalalpur Jattan, Gujarat, Punjab.

King Abdul Rahman Khan invited Dr. Ghani and appointed him as his Secretary and his English Translator.

Dr. Ghani is the founder of modern education in Afghanistan. During Habibullah Khan’s kingdom, with the help of his brothers, Hafiz Maulana Najaf Ali Khan, and Hafiz Maulana Mohammad Chragh, they established Maktab-i-Habibya at Kabul in 1903, and he was its first Principal. Maktab-i-Habibi was the first educational institution in the history of Afghanistan. Later, the younger brother of Dr. Abdul Ghani Khan, Hafiz Maulana Mohammad Chragh was appointed as the headmaster of the Maktab-i-Habibya.

Dr. Ghani’s books are: 1) A Review of Political Situation in Central Asia, (this book is recently translated from English to Persian by my brother Dr. Abdul Wahid Najafi, MD), 2) A Brief Political History of Afghanistan, 3) English Translation of the Holy Quran unpublished, and Risala-i-Deenyat of Maulana Abul Aala Maudoodi, etc.

My grandfather Maulana Najaf Ali Khan translated exquisitely: 1) Al-Farooq, 2) Seerat-un-Nabi, 3) Risala-i-Paighumber-i-Islam, 4) Seerat-i-Aisha Siddiqi of Alama Shibli Numani into Persian prose and 5) Musaddas-i-Hali of Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali into Persian verse.

Maulana Najaf Ali Khan and Dr. Ghani were also appointed by King Habeebullah Khan as a Tutor for Prince Amanullah khan for several years.

King Habeebullah Khan selected Dr. Abdul Ghani khan to the position of Director of Public Instructions of Afghanistan. King Habeebullah Khan honored Dr. Abdul Ghani Khan and Hafiz Maulana Najaf Ali Khan with the membership of the Afghan Legislative Assembly and the Council of Nobility.

Maktab-i-Habibya proved to be the foundation of educational enhancement in the Afghan Kingdom. The number of students in Maktab-i-Habibya grown from 50 to 900.

Dr. Ghani disclosed, “My next mission was to open a Training School for Teachers. At the same time, I pushed a scheme of universal education to the entire country, which was accepted by King Habeebullah Khan after some hesitation, and I was asked to make a tour in Afghanistan. I started schools like those of Kabul, first in 13 important cities which would form provincial centers and then continue spreading the system in the country. A medical school also received the King Habeebullah Khan’s sanction with sufficient grant from the Government to work it out.”

Dr. Ghani is the founder of the Mashrootiat (Constitution) movement for the introduction of democracy and Constitution in Afghanistan.

When King Amanullah Khan came to power, he appointed Dr. Abdul Ghani Khan as his Special Advisor. Also, King Amanullah Khan appointed Dr. Ghani as a member of the delegation in the Anglo-Afghan Peace Conference, August 8, 1919.

Toward the end of 1919, King Amanullah Khan removed many of the past illegal governmental regulations, including handling crimes and punishment of citizens without due legal process. King Amanullah Khan created a legal committee called “Laws Assembly” composed of 21 members headed by the Minister of Interior, His Excellency Ali Ahmad Khan.

Dr. Ghani and Maulana Najaf Ali Khan were members of the “ Laws Assembly.” They were charged to create new laws and legal administrative procedures for handling Public Works, and all governmental affairs in the capital. And the creation of counties, cities, and provincial government in Afghanistan for implementing the new laws administering the governmental Public Works affairs.

It is important to me to honor, and recognize the forgotten scholars of Afghanistan for their multifarious contributions in the fields of education, independence, constitution, politics, journalism, history, literature, law, democracy, and inner-outer liberty of Afghanistan.

My late mother known as Ms. Masooma Kabila was “Said,” lineage to Prophet Mohammad Peace be upon him. Her father is Meer Abdul Wahab Agha, a religious scholar, the cousin of Meer Mohammad Husain Khan Mostofi-Al-Ma-Malik (Prime Minister) of Ameer Abdul Rahman Khan.

My late mother, as a midwife, worked in the Masturat Hospital for more than 30 years, delivering babies in and out of the hospital in Kabul and around the capital. She earned a great name serving the Afghan people.

My wife Wida is the great-granddaughter of late Meer Mohammad Husain Khan, the Prime Minister of Ameer Abdul Rahman Khan. Her grandfather, late Meer Abdulla Husaini, is the son of late Meer Mohammad Husain Khan. Late Meer Abdulla Husaini was the Special Secretary of the Late Prime Ministers; Sardar Hashim Khan and Sardar Daud Khan.

From her mother side, my wife is the granddaughter of late Said Ebrahim Kaghazi, the famous merchant and the key entrepreneur, who brought economic development, enhanced Afghanistan commerce nationally and internationally.

(Q): Which schools did you attend in Afghanistan, and what was the year of your graduation?

(R): I attended Maktab-i-Habibya and graduated with a high school degree. I earned a BS degree from the Faculty of Engineering, Kabul University, Afghanistan, in 1963.

(Q): What types of professional careers you have had in Afghanistan during and after graduation from the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University?

(R): I started as an Engineer and later promoted to a position of General Director of the Building Construction, Ministry of Public Works of Afghanistan.

(Q): Which Universities did you attend in the United States, and what are the fields of your specialization?

(R): In the United States, I received a BS in Architectural Engineering/Structure (1970), MS (1972) and a Ph.D. (1977) degrees in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.

I am a general Civil Engineer with diversified expertise in transportation engineering/planning, legal aspects, construction planning, and scheduling, contract administration, engineering and management, Renewable Energy, and public works.

(Q): Please tell us briefly about your professional experience in the United States and other countries.

(R): In the U.S:
1. Consultant Engineer
2. County Engineer
3. Structural Engineer
4. Construction Engineer
5. Construction Manager
6. Highway Engineer
7. Research Highway Engineer

Abroad: Fulbright Senior Scholar, Qatar University, College of Engineering, Doha, Qatar

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

(R): The keys to my success have been being responsible, believing in myself, following my passion, and applying the effort. I have endeavored to serve all as One people, seeing beyond division, and not letting myself be defined by circumstances.

(Q): In the United States in which educational institutes have you worked as a professor?

(R):
1. Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
2. George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, and currently
3. the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

(Q): How many refereed national and international publications do you have?

(R): More than 300 publications, for detail resume refer to http://fnaja.essie.ufl.edu

(Q): You are serving as Student Advisor of a few societies, chapters, and programs at the University of Florida. Please briefly tell us about those Societies and let us know if students in Afghanistan should form these types of Societies so that their professors could advise them while they are in the university and after their graduations.

(R): I served as Student Advisor of the following societies for the University of Florida, Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, and the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering:
1. Tau Beta Pi
2. Puerto Rican Engineering Society, UF
3. Minority Mentor, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
4. Hispanic and black Engineering Society, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
5. American Society of Civil Engineers, Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering
6. Gator Soccer Club, UF

Being a Professor requires tremendous sacrifices and attention to student’s needs. Students are an important part of the family, and they need advice for academic careers, recommendation letters for scholarships, internship, job opportunities, etc.

Colleges in Afghanistan should help students form societies and assign professors to advise them while they are in the university and after their graduations. Students should also contact their colleges and their professors in forming societies. To create a student professional society, it requires an elected president, an elected vice president, and an elected treasurer through students’ majority vote.

(Q): In the USA, which types of awards have you received?

(R):
1. Solar Roadways paper was selected for Award by the ASCE Florida Section.
2. The First Annual E4 Lecturer of the Year Award for efforts in promoting and supporting undergraduate Education and Mentorship for the 2011-12 school year.
3. Best ASEE Paper Award.
4. Reducing Greenhouse Gas, the Best Paper Award, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
5. Teacher of Great Influence, College of Engineering, Fall 2005, Academic Convocation Honoree Recognition.
6. “Work of Heart Award,” in appreciation for Outstanding Volunteer Service benefiting the local Community, Alachua County School Board, Gainesville, Florida.
7. Awarded the honor of being Voted Chair of the Administration Unit for the American Society for Engineering Education Southeastern (ASEE-SE) Annual Conference.
8. Awarded Outstanding Teacher Award, College of Engineering, University of Florida.
9. The United States Senior Fulbright Scholar Award, University of Qatar, Doha Qatar.
10. Admitted as an “Eminent Engineer, TAU BETA PI, Florida Alpha Chapter.
11. Awarded the Star Grant Oil Spill Project, sponsored by the Florida Institute of Government, Tallahassee, Florida.
12. Received the Farrell Teaching Award, Villanova University, College of Engineering, Villanova, Pennsylvania, etc.

(Q): Are you a member of any engineering societies? What is its mission?

(R): My services and mission to many societies such as American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), American Society for Engineering Education -Southeastern Section (ASEE-SE), Transportation Research Board (TRB), and APWA (American Public Works Association) were research and education related to help humanity in scientific discovery and higher education.

(Q): How can the professional engineering societies in Afghanistan benefit from these professional societies you have served?

(R): Professional engineering societies in Afghanistan can benefit from the existing professional societies by actively becoming a member and going to their website, search for research and publication, learn and follow what they have accomplished and served in the advancement of Engineering Education and Technology.

(Q): What are the areas of your specialization?

(R): As I mentioned before, I am a diversified Civil Engineer with multiple expertise.

(Q): What are your research focus areas?

(R): I developed many implementable research projects in Florida:
1. Oil spill Contingency Plan.
2. Quality Assurance Model for highway project.
3. Radon Mitigation in the Construction of Building Environment.
4. Model for Coordinated Urban Signalized Intersection Improvement.
5. Implementation and Results of Solar Feed-In-Tariff in Gainesville, Florida.
6. Work Zone Safety Model.
7. Fiber Optics Telecommunication Model along the Highway.
8. Law Enforcement Cost Model on Urban Roadways.
9. The Durability of the In-Situ Pipe Repair Model.
10. Utility Tort Model on Joint Use of Right-of-Way Indemnification.
11. Truck Damage Factor Determination.
12. Guidelines for Stormwater Infrastructure.
13. The durability of Pavement Marking.
14. Preventive Infrastructure Maintenance Strategy.
15. Use of Flowable Fill in Pavement Sections.
16. User Cost Data for Bridge Management.

(Q): Can any of the outcome of your research projects be implemented in Afghanistan.

(R): Yes, all those projects mentioned above are implementable. And they are implemented in the State of Florida.

(Q): What was the scope of your research work related to the passive radon-resistant of new residential construction? Are the results of the research published? Is there a possibility of having radon in any region of Afghanistan?

(R): Yes, Following is the article published:
Najafi, F.T., “Radon Reduction Systems in the Construction of New Houses in Gainesville, Florida,” Health Physics, The Radiation Protection Journal, the official journal of Health Physics Society, Williams & Wilkins, A Waverly Company, Baltimore, Maryland, Vol. 75, No. 5, November 1998, 514-517.

There is a high possibility of radon in any region of Afghanistan. It requires research, soil testing, and preparation of radon map for the designated radon-prone areas. The article above should help in the investigation.

(Q): Which courses have you developed at UF, and which courses you are currently teaching? Please tell if any of the courses are online courses.

(R):
1. Public Works Engineering and Management.
2. Public Works Planning.
3. Construction Planning and Scheduling (using computer program Primavera P6 and AutoCAD)
4. Undergraduate Research courses,
5. Graduate Research courses,
6. Introduction to Engineering,
7. Technical Drawing (AutoCAD) and Visualization. The 1 to 3 courses above is online.

(Q): What types of research activities you are currently involved in?

(R): At present, the research focus areas are in Renewal Energies, including Solar and Wind energy.

(Q): What types of construction planning and scheduling needed in building the infrastructures in Afghanistan?

(R): Using software such as Primavera P6 (for construction project management) and Revit for pre-construction (virtual design and construction tool used during engineering design and before the actual execution of building construction). My online course is the Construction Planning and Scheduling using computer program Primavera P6, and AutoCAD. The gained knowledge in this course is useful in building the infrastructures in Afghanistan. Depending on the project size, Microsoft project software is useful for the same purpose. Other software such as Synchro-pro, and Navisworks-Manage, and others are used towards building information modeling.

(Q): Should the construction quality control and quality assurance of governmental projects be performed by the governmental agencies or left to the contractors?

(R): I believe it’s best to leave it to the contractor under the condition of full warranty by the contractors for a specified period. Also, during highway construction, governmental agencies should randomly select samples to be tested for construction quality control and quality assurance.

(Q): How can the Afghan professional societies within and outside Afghanistan be of help in the design and construction activities of the projects in Afghanistan?

(R): The governmental agencies in Afghanistan must develop a list of qualified Afghan professionals and contact professionals based on project needs. The SAE should assist in the creation of such a list of qualified Afghan professionals.

It is essential for updating professional knowledge through training by attending classes and seminars. A good example is the UF Technology Transfer Program administered by the UF Transportation Institute in the Department of Civil Engineering. Similar training courses offered by the Federal Highway Administrating, US Department of Transportation. A similar program should be established at the Ministry of Public Works, and the Department of Civil Engineering, at the existing Universities in Afghanistan. Afghan professional can be selected to assist in the creation and implementation of such a program.

(Q): Do you believe the Afghan building code, construction specifications, plans, structural and drainage design guidelines, materials specifications, and test methods need to be standardized?

(R): Yes, using standards: AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials); ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and other standardized structural and drainage design guidelines, materials specifications, and test methods exist in the United States that can be used and implemented in the Afghan building code, construction specifications, plans, structural and drainage design guidelines. There are many existing useful online sites related to this question that can be easily searched and applied.

(Q): What is your opinion about the development of an Afghan department of professional regulations for the evaluation of the credentials of engineering companies, testing laboratories, contractors, engineering consultants, engineers, technicians, and inspectors who are involved in the design and construction activities of infrastructures (e.g., highways, bridges, airports, canals, public buildings, water reclamation facilities, sewer system, and storm drainage facilities).

(R): I recommend duplicating and implementing the existing Florida State professional regulations for the development of an Afghan department of professional regulations.

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

(R): Mohtram Ostad sahib Mujtaba Khan, you are honorable, and the history will remember efforts and hard work of you, and the respected editorial members of the SAE for establishing the SAE eNewsletter. I appreciate your leadership for your wisdom, love, integrity, trust, loyalty, and honesty. The SAE recognizes the importance of planning, design, building, and maintaining green and sustainable infrastructure for the good of the environment and future generations. The government recognizes the professional society of the SAE and utilize the expertise and services for building and maintaining the infrastructure.

(Q): Thanks for the kind words. On behalf of the Editorial Board of the SAE eNewsletter, I thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to have an interview and share your thoughts with the readers of the newsletter.

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, any Afghan professionals, and Afghan students.”

Presentations of Afghan Community Members in the ASEE 2019 Annual Conference

The Annual Conference and Exposition of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) was held in Tampa, Florida from June 15 -19, 2019. The conference had featured more than 400 technical sessions, with peer-reviewed papers spanning all disciplines of engineering education.

Two Afghan Professors, Dr. Fazil T. Najafi, Professor at University of Florida and Dr. Bahawodin Baha, a Principal lecturer at University of Brighton, England presented their engineering education related papers during the conference.

The Editor of the newsletter has held an interview with Dr. Najafi and is included in this issue of the newsletter. Dr. Najafi presented the following two papers during the 2019 ASEE Conference:

1. Subramanian,R. Rajarajan, and Najafi, F. T., “Flipping the Construction Management Class: Beneficial?” The 126th American Society for Engineering Education and Exposition (ASEE) Annual Conference, Technical Session 4, Tampa Convention Center, Paper ID #27280, Tampa, Florida, June 15-19, 2019, 9 p
2. Roberts, Stephen E., Najafi, F.T, and Taylor, Curtis, “A Retrospective on Undergraduate Engineering Success for First Year Students,” 126th American Society for Engineering Education and Exposition (ASEE) Annual Conference, Technical Session 2, Tampa Convention Center, Paper ID #27139, Tampa, Florida, June 15-19, 2019, 17 p

Dr. Bahawodin Baha presented two papers about higher education in Afghanistan. Dr. Baha has served as a principal lecturer at University of Brighton in England since 1989. He has been teaching and conducting research in power electronics for over thirty years at University of Brighton in the UK. He has presented and published his research papers at international conferences and prestigious journals. Besides his teaching in the UK, he has been helping Higher Education in Afghanistan since 2005. During the last sixteen years he has concentrated his research in higher education and has presented his papers at the ASEE conferences since 2008. He has conducted many projects on improving higher education in Afghanistan.

During his sabbatical leave for two years he served as technical advisor at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MICT) in Afghanistan. During his services in Afghanistan, he has worked very closely with the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and Kabul based universities.

Dr. Baha has mentioned that he has shared all his publications with the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) in Afghanistan.

During the 2019 ASEE Conference he presented the following two papers:

1. Capacity Building of Afghan Universities in Geology and Minerals Education by Dr. Bahawodin Baha, Principal Lecturer at University of Brighton in England and Dr. Hamidullah Waizy, Assistant Professor at the Department of Geological Engineering and Exploration of Mines, Kabul Polytechnic University, Afghanistan.

2. The Education of Science, Engineering and Technologies in War-affected Countries by Dr. Bahawodin Baha, Principal Lecturer at University of Brighton; Dr. Maria Diakoumi MEng, Ph.D, FHEA, CEng MCIHT, University of Brighton in England; and Dr. Hamidullah Waizy Assistant Professor at the Department of Geological Engineering and Exploration of Mines, Kabul Polytechnic University, Afghanistan.

Announcements

(1) The 2019 SAE Membership Renewal

Dear Members of the Society:

The Management of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE) would like to remind all members that 2019 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 is attached to the Newsletter and also can be downloaded from our website at www.afghanengineers.org. Please visit the SAE Facebook 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 Board 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 2019. 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 2019

Date	First Name	Last Name	Fee Paid $	Donation $	Total Payment $	Remarks
1/28/2019	Najib	Poya	60	200	260
1/19/2019	Atiq	Panjshiri	60	40	100
1/28/2019	Ghulam	Mujtaba	60	140	200
1/28/2019	Steve	Rossi	60	60	120
2/26/2018	Abdul Nazeer	Babacarkhial	180	70	0	Paid $250 in 2018 for Years 2018-2020
1/19/2019	Sohaila S.	Shekib	60	0	60
2/10/2019	Sayed Aziz	Azimi	60	0	60
1/19/2019	Sadeq A.	Ezzat	60	0	60
2/10/2019	Saleh	Yafatali	60	40	100
4/1/2019	Abdul	Hassani	60	0	60
4/15/2019	Zia	Yamayee	60	240	300
5/1/2019	Sayed Jalal	Masumi	60	40	100
5/10/2019	Amanullah	Mommandi	60	40	100

The attached form includes application for the new members and membership renewal. The application forms may be viewed at SAE website. The members are requested to take a few minutes of their time to inform the Society by sending their updated contact information.

Obituary

The Society of Afghan Engineers is saddened for the passing of Engineer Mohammed Seddiq Zarabi, former professor and Dean of the the Faculty of Agriculture of Kabul University. 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 condolences to Zarabi family.

Thanks to Mr. Abdullah Zarabi, Marhoom Engineer Mohammed Seddiq Zarabi’s son, for sending us his biographical obituary.

Engineer Mohammed Seddiq Zarabi, Former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of Kabul University

December 4,1947 – June 5, 2019

Engineer Mohammed Seddiq Zarabi was born on December 4th, 1947 in Kabul, Afghanistan to Mohammed Hussein Zarabi and Alam Taj Zarabi. Seddiq Jan, as his dear friends would lovingly refer to him, attended Habibia High School in Kabul, where he excelled academically and went on to study engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of Kabul University. During his university years, Mr. Seddiq Zarabi was an avid scholar as well as an athlete, most notably as a prominent ping pong champion.

After college, Mr. Zarabi obtained two master’s degrees in engineering, the first from Delf University in Holland and a second later as a prestigious Fulbright Scholar from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado USA. With a burning love for his beloved homeland, he returned to Afghanistan to utilize his education to serve a country in need. He began teaching as a professor at Kabul University and quickly rose to the rank of the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of Kabul University, where he left a remarkable impression on thousands of students and faculty alike.

In December of 1985, he married Ms. Belquis Zarabi, an accounting major and the daughter of a prominent businessman in Kabul.

In 1991, four accomplished Professors from Kabul University were awarded fellowships to travel abroad as visiting fellows. Mr. Zarabi was one of these four men, and though he left for the US on what he thought would be a short-term trip, the growing instability in Afghanistan did not allow for his return.

He remained in Northern California, where his family later joined him in 1994. It was around this time that Seddiq Jan decided to leave academia and pursue a business venture. He founded Ariana Sweets to serve the need for traditional Afghan sweets and confectioneries in America. Over the years, Ariana Sweets has grown from a small sweets manufacturer in Northern California to an importer, wholesaler, and distributor of fine quality Afghan sweets, dried fruits, teas, and specialty foods. Today, Mr. Seddiq Zarabi’s two sons Abdullah Zarabi and Omar Zarabi, and his daughter, Hosna Zarabi, together manage the company. As the second-generation President, Abdullah Zarabi aims to lead the company with the same spirit and values of quality, honesty, and integrity that were the pillars of the business built by his dear father.

In addition to his role as a wonderful father of four, a loving husband, and a reputable businessman, Mr. Seddiq Zarabi was also very active in his community. Most notably, in his role as President of the Ibrahim Khalilullah Islamic Center, a position he held for several years. Mr. Zarabi established a reputable and accredited language school for both Farsi & Pashto, which until today are both formally recognized with the local Fremont Unified School District’s curriculum.

While Mr. Zarabi’s academic, business, and community accomplishments are vast, he will forever be remembered for his truly remarkable personality. Mr. Seddiq Zarabi’s legacy will forever live on in the minds of his loved ones as that of a virtuous man of strong faith and esteemed values. A man with infinite kindness, sincere politeness, and profound sense of integrity and respect for old and young, dark and light, male or female. He was a genuine, benevolent, optimistic human being with a beautiful heart and an unforgettably warm smile. Mr. Seddiq Zarabi defined class and conveyed respect through his acts of gratitude and graciousness towards friends and strangers alike. He would be the gentleman to take the hand of the elderly, the uncle to console the crying baby, the professor to uplift students with patience and discipline, the neighbor to send dinner to the neighborhood, the employer to always give more, the member to anonymously aide the needy, the president to advocate for equal rights for women and men under Islamic law, the father to encourage education for his daughters and sons, the husband to instill love and compassion, and the servant of his God, Allah.

Through life’s inevitable highs and lows, Engineer Seddiq Zarabi never forgot his roots nor did he ever lose his identity. He embraced America as his loving new country and was proud to be an American who realized his dreams in the land of opportunity. However, Seddiq Jan never forgot his upbringing as an Afghan in those wonderful, playful streets of Shohr Bazar and Nawabat in Old Kabul where the sound of his music-like laughter still echoes in the ears of his dear close friends some 60 years later. Those who were privileged to meet or interact with Mr. Zarabi felt as if he loved no one else more than them. Those who knew him attest that he was like a fereshta, an angel amongst men; a role model citizen and servant of God temporarily brought to this short world as a gift to exemplify to the rest of us that indeed as humans we should forever most strive for love, kindness and compassion. Those that were honored to be his family will proudly celebrate his legacy and forever keep his beacon of loving light shining.

Sadly Mr. Seddiq Zarabi is physically gone from this world today. However, Seddiq Jan will forever remain alive in the hearts of thousands he touched worldwide through his wonderful deeds, fond memories, and soul-lifting mannerisms. The Funeral, Fatiha, and Quran Khatem with Memorial Dinner for Engineer Seddiq Zarabi were held on Friday June 7, 2019 in Hayward, CA USA. Engineer Seddiq Zarabi is succeeded by his loving wife, Belquis Zarabi; and his four children, Dr. Hosniya Zarabi, Abdullah Zarabi, Omar Zarabi, and Hosna Zarabi.

Comments and Suggestions

The Editorial Board of the SAE eNewsletter has received comments and suggestions from the respected Society members and readers of the Newsletter related to the April 2019 and future issues of the newsletter.

The Editor has responded to the comments and suggestions related to the newsletter by emails individually upon their receipt and would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you again for your comments, suggestions, and kind words. The comments and responses are included for information of all readers of the newsletter.

The following are their comments and suggestions:

1. Comment from Mr. Hamidullah Durrani, Senior Project Officer (Energy), Asian Development Bank, Afghanistan Resident Mission

Dear Eng. Sahib Mujtaba,
Thank you for sharing the SAE Newsletter April Issue with lot of useful articles and interviews.
In the next SAE Newsletter, I hope, we jointly work on a short informative paper about Afghanistan energy sector where ADB is spending around $2.1 billion with ongoing $1.6 billion projects on the major infrastructures including power transmission lines, distribution network and substation. We may further talk and prepare an outline for article.
Best Regards
Hamidullah Durrani

Editor’s Response:
Dear Eng. Sahib Durai Salam:
Thank you for your comments about the SAE eNewsletter articles and interview. The publication of the newsletter is the joint efforts of the Newsletter Subcommittee members and authors like yourself, which add to the quality of the newsletter.
For July 2019 issue of the newsletter, you have suggested about preparation of an article about Afghanistan energy sector. This type of technical article will be very informative for the readers of the newsletter within and outside of Afghanistan. I have copied the Newsletter Subcommittee members in this email for their information.
Please send us an abstract of the article and we will provide our comments and suggestions related to the article. Looking forward to the receipt of the abstract of paper for July 2019 or future issues of the SAE eNewsletter.

2. Comment from Dr. Sharif Hassainy, former Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Dear Ustad Mohtram Eng. Saheb G. Mujtaba Asallam-o-Alaikom,
I wanted to acknowledge the receipt of your email regarding the first quarterly issue of the 2019 SAE eNewsletter. Thank you for your cooperation and kind effort and volunteering.
Best Regards
Dr. Said Sharif HOSSAINY

Editor’s Response:
Dear Dr. Sahib Hossainy Walaikum Us Salam
Thanks for the email regarding the receipt of the April 2019 issue of the SAE eNewsletter and your kind words.
Best regards,

The Society of Afghan Engineers Organization

• SAE E-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 and 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, 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., E- Mail: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net; Members: A. Wahed Hassani, Ph.D.,P.E. Email: awhassani@gmail.com; A. Manan Khalid, M.S., P.E., LEED AP E-Mail: manank10@gmail.com; Hafizullah Wardak, Email: hwardak@comcast.net; Abdul Hamid Layan: Email: hamid.layan@gmail.com;
• SAE eNewsletter Editorial Board: Editor –In –Chief: Ghulam Mujtaba, M.S, CE, P.E., CPM E-Mail: mujtabaghulam@bellsouth.net; Editorial Board Members: A. Wahed Hassani, Ph.D.,P.E. Email: awhassani@gmail.com; A. Manan Khalid, M.S., P.E., LEED AP E-Mail: manank10@gmail.com
• SAE eNewsletter Regional Representatives: Abdul Hamid Layan -Kabul: Email: hamid.layan@gmail.com;

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

Disclaimer: The author, reporter, or agency of each publication, project, news, and products is included in this newsletter. Additional contact information of the authors and their agencies are available with the Editorial Board 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 the documents. The information about the agency products or services is not the SAE endorsement.

Membership Application

THE SOCIETY OF AFGHAN ENGINEERS
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

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The active members of the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE): Please mark (X) the appropriate box related to your address and other contact information.
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Please mark (X) the appropriate box if you are submitting this application to join as a new member.
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