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AAAEA - IL Newsletter
NOVEMBER 2008 |
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Dear Member,
I am happy to
announce that John Romi has joined the newsletter
committee. John has volunteered to be part of a
great team whose goal is to provide a newsletter that is
informative. Also, thank you Amro for all of your
help. Amro will be leaving the newsletter
committee to focus onto improving the web site to
function efficiently for our members.
Newsletter Committee:
Bilal
Almasri Raghad Adeis-Dahhan Jamal Grainawi Luai
Abu Hilal Nabeel Aldrees John Romi Furthermore, your suggestions are requested to
make this newsletter a better one. You can contact
us through e-mail: aaaea@aaaea.org
Sincerely, Raghad
Adeis-Dahhan |
| Interview with Hussam
Alkhatib |
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Originally from Palestine; from a little village
outside of Alquds called Biet iksa. Like many other
Palestinians who had to call another country temporary
home, I was born in United Arab Emirates....
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| Board
Message |
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Dear fellow members,
Last month was very
exciting for us. We had 2 major events here in the
Chicago area, as well as couple other events that
involved our members and their families.
The two main
events were the Semi Annual meeting that was held on
Friday Oct 17th, and the National Outreach Conference
held on Saturday Oct. 18, 2008. ....
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Technical
Article
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Architectural Considerations in Earthquake
Engineering-Part IBy: Mustafa Mahamid,
PhD, SE, PE This article comes in two parts, part
I introduce the concept of regular and irregular
building from earthquake engineering
standpoint Read full
article
>> | |
Dear Amro,
We had a very unique
weekend started October 17, 2008. We had a very
successful semiannual meeting that had attendance
from fifteen states and very distinguished
speakers. We had the tickets completely sold out
and the Banquet Hall completely full. We also had
a very exhausting continuous meeting at the
National Conference which also was in Chicago. The
weekend ended with a very enjoyable and relaxing
cruise at Lake Michigan.
I would like to thank
the executive board, the board of trustees, the
activity committee and the semiannual appointed
committee and all the members and people who
participated in making that weekend a success. I
would like you to know the
following:
An idea started with a
dream of few engineers and it has become a solid
reality between thousands of active and none
active members.
An idea started in
Chicago and it has grown and has become a reality
in over 15 states
An idea started
with a donation of $20 of the few and we are now
giving out total scholarships today close to
$10,000 dollars.
One might ask what
this association did. I will response by asking
them what this association didn't do. If you read
our set goals, you can see a quit a few
achievements in each and every one of them. At
this time and age we have heard of people dreaming
but only few who have the determinations and the
sacrifice to make their dreams come true. (We are
one of the few)
This association has
been gaining the trust of its professional
members, the leaders and the businessmen of our
community. We are slowly but surely making
connection with our community on all levels. We
found jobs, taught the EIT, PE, SE to our
engineers and even the ACT classes for our kids,
We established communication with community
leaders; we participated in their programs (such
as Health fairs, engineering solutions, tutoring,
and even the Arabic fest). We helped making each
one a success.
I would like to go in
more details and mention the million things that
this association directly or in directly does for
the benefit of its members and its
community. We have become the leading
association in Chicago. We give back to the
community on all levels and we are proud of
it.
We have come a long way with the
hard work and the dedication of our members; we
keep raising the bar to higher standards. We have
arrived where others thought there was no landing.
You will can see accomplishments in despite of all
of the challenges.
We are becoming
the back bone of the Arab community in Chicago. We
believe in creating new heights. We are always
reaching out, we are always making things happen,
and we will always be there for you and for our
community.
We are optimistic, we are
dreamers and we are achievers
Thank You
All Very Much
Hasan Algholeh
President
of
AAAEA | |
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Activities
Committee
Dear Members,
The year 2008 is coming to a
close very quickly and our thanks go to all
members who contributed time and effort to the
planning and success of AAAEA's activities during
the year. Positive members' participation,
good weather, diverse activities helped made these
year's activities a success.
In 2008, the Activities' Committee
organized the annual "Haflah" at Alhambra
restaurant in Chicago, three picnics, a golf
outing, a camping trip, the semiannual dinner
meeting, a cruise, and networking lunch. In
addition, the Activities Committee is holding a
financial seminar on the 29th of November, 2008.
The seminar is sponsored by Morgan
Stanley.
Marching into 2009, the
committee is organizing a bowling party,
networking luncheon,
AAAEA's traditional
"Haflah" at Carlisle in Lombard, four picnics, a
camping trip, a cruise, a golf outing, and AAAEA's
semiannual dinner at Drury lane. The
committee will send the details and reminder of
each activity at the appropriate time.
However, a list of these activities and their
dates are posted on the AAAEA website at
www.aaaea.org.
Typically, the Activities'
Committee events are of a networking and social
nature; but, other committees within the AAAEA
also host additional events such as workshops and
educational seminars that tend to be technical
in-nature. The Activities' Committee is committed
to supporting the AAAEA's mission; the committee
is always open to hearing ideas for new
activities.
Activities Committee Chairman
Dr.
Nabil Refai,
PMP |
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Some
advantages for students to join
BY: GUS NAKHOUL,
PE
We need to
emphasize as an organization the cost/benefit to
Arab American Students of joining an organization
such AAAEA. Below are few items that come to
mind:
1. For HS, 1st, and 2nd year
college students, joining AAAEA will expose them
to a variety of engineering disciplines, add to it
Architect and IT fields. By mingling and
interacting with our members, our young Arab
American students will have a better idea which
career path to take and help them make up their
mind if engineering, Architecture or Information
Technology is a consideration.
2. As AAAEA
we need to market to our Arab American students
the possibility of getting a job as interns in the
field of engineering, architect, and IT with the
various firms and public agencies where we are
employed. The idea of getting a paying job,
training while still going to school should be a
good selling point. AAAEA members should make it a
high priority let us know and post any student
worker, intern positions that might open within
their respective firms or agencies in Al
Muhandes.
3. Arab American students by
joining a professional organization such as ours
will be a winning proposition to them, help them
network with seasoned engineers, architects, and
IT professionals. They will hear firsthand what
employer look for in a new graduate, how to go
through interviews and survive oneJ, how to
compose a nice professional resume with all the
buzz words that employer look for.
Last but not
least Arab American students by joining AAAEA will
be part of an organization they could take pride
of by being around well accomplished individuals,
in a positive environment, and have role models to
follow in pursuit of
success. | |
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Member's
News
Our
best wishes to our colleague Aziz Almasri on his assignment
with V3 in Saudi Arabia....good luck and
Mabrook to our
colleague Mahmoud Hasan for landing a new job with BP,
and best of luck. stay in touch.
Condolences to
AAAEA member Engr. Tariq Ismail on the tragic death of his
sister in Bridgeview. We are very sorry, and may god bless
all.
Condolences to our colleague Ali
Aywadah for the death of his mother in law. We are very
sorry, and may god bless all
Well wishes and
speedy recovery to Suhaib Algholeh who was hurt in an
accident. Suhaib is our president Hasan Algouleh's
son. |
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ACT Review
Course
AAAEA will
be conducting ACT course review for our community
studentsThere will be a fee of $100 to cover expenses.Please
see schedule ,and reserve by email aaaea@aaaea.org
| Session |
Date |
Subject |
Instructor |
| 1 |
Jan 17,
2009 |
Test |
Mr. Bilal
Almasri |
| 2 |
Feb 24,
2009 |
Mathematics
I |
Soliman
K |
| 3 |
Feb 3,
2009 |
Reading |
TBD |
| 4 |
Feb 10,
2009
|
English |
TBD |
| 5 |
Feb 17, 2009 |
Science |
Dr. Kazkaz |
| 6 |
Feb 28,
2009 |
Test |
Raghad |
| 7 |
Mar 7, 2009 |
Mathematics |
Dr. Ahmad Hammad |
| 8 |
Mar 14,
2009 |
Science |
Basman
Dahleh |
| 9 |
Mar 21, 2009 |
Reading |
TBD |
| 10 |
Apr 28,
2009 |
English |
TBD |
| 11 |
Apr 5, 2009 |
Test |
Mr. Bilal
Almasri | |
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AAAEA Fall 2008 Conference
1
The AAAEA Fall 2008 Conference I was held on
October 04, 2008 at HBM Engineering Group, LLC in Hillside,
Illinois. Professional/Structural Engineers (PE's &
SE's) were awarded 4 PDH Hours for Continuing Education.
The Conference program consists of 4 Technical Presentations
by the Following Professional Speakers:
Dr.
Mohsen Issa, P.E., S.E., FACI, FASCE, Professor,
UIC
"Recent Changes in AASHTO-LRFD Bridge Design
Specification"
Dr. Soliman Khudeira, P.E.,
S.E.Chicago Dept. of Transportation
"Chicago's Vaulted
Sidewalks - History and Structural
Rehabilitation"
Mr. Shaker Asfour, P.E. IDOT,
District 1
"Bridges of Illinois: Types, Inspection,
Repair, Construction and Programming"
Dr. Moussa
Issa, P.E., S.E. HBM Engineering Group, LLC
Mr. Jamal
Grainawi, P.E., S.E. PB Americas, Inc.
"Strengthening of
Existing Concrete Bridges using Advanced Composite Materials
and External Post-Tensioning"
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Resume
Advice
By: Abder R. Ghouleh, PE
Writing Your Resume
1.
The Summary or Objective at the top of your resume is
important. It tells the reader, "This person knows who
he/she is, what they've done, and why it matters."
Your Summary shows off your writing skills, shows that you
know what's salient in your background, and puts a point at
the top of your resume. Don't skip it, no matter who
tells you it's not necessary. ...
Read full article
>> |
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Thank
you,
Our president emailed all members to
thank them for their efforts and support of the Semi Annual
Meeting, the Third National Conference, and the cruise.
In
this article, I will try to demonstrate to our members
the huge involvement we have in all three events
which made the successful. As Hasan said, I know I will miss
someone or few...and for that I apologize.
First, I would
like to express my appreciation to Dr.Nabil Refai, the
chairman of the activity committee for his leadership, the
president and the board for their support.
Special thanks
to our new MC Ms.Najla Baeshen for a great execution and the
hours of working on this event. Another special thanks to our
chairman Jamal Grainawi for the long hours producing the
program, working from Jordan organizing the speakers, name
tags, and using a vacation day on Friday to assist the
national efforts. Abed Ghouleh for his leadership and his
efforts, and using a vacation day to assist the national
efforts. Big thank you to our officer Raghad Adeis-Dahhan for
all her work on the national, recording the minutes, using a
vacation day to assist the national efforts, and taking time
away from her family, and for proposing the cruise activity
and working on it. Also, many thanks to our members who
joined the AAAEA first cruise.
Our vice
president Nabeel Aldrees for watching the door, and our
secretary Hussam Alkhatib for the work on the
brochure.
Our thanks and appreciation to our national
chairman Dr. Mustafa Mahamid for his leadership in the last
three years and efforts to contribute to the success of the
national conference including the program, logistics,
coordination and all other aspects.
Thank you to Hasan
Zamrawi, Izeddin Awaidah, Issam Rayyan to assist AAAEA with
transporting the delegates, some took off work and some woke
up at 3:30am to do so. Another thanks to Mohammad Dasoqi
for his contribution to the program and his service on the
national level. Also thanks to Dr. Ahmad Hammad
for helping with the tickets and documenting the event
with pictures.
It goes without saying; the biggest thanks
to our members, without their continued support over the last
12 years, AAAEA would not have reached this level.
I also
need to thank all our delegates from the 15 states represented
for taking the time out, travel, and put efforts in making the
third national conference succeed, and it was a pleasure
having them in the Semi Annual Meeting.
A big thank you to
Dr. Anton Fakhouri for opening his heart and lodge for the
national conference.
Also, I need to thank our trustee Raed
Milhem for his support providing the Nokia phone to present to
our community student awardees'.
Another thank you to Mr.
Fuad Issa from the Tri State for his $600 contribution to the
third national conference.
I need to thank our scholarship
sponsors, and the table sponsors, in addition to our thanks to
the scholarship committee for their work.
Bilal
Almasri |
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AAAEA October events for the
newsletter
From time to time, it is good to stop and think about
what we did in a period of time, and the quality of the
product.
I will leave the judgment of the quality to our
members to judge, they are the final judge on that. But let me
try to list the activities that took place in the month of
October 2008:
1-AAAEA 2008 fall conference.
1-Produced
and emailed the local e-newsletter.
2-Held the largest
semiannual meeting ever (about 300 attended).
3-Held a
resume editing with some engineers on the north side.
4-UIC
seminar Improving career opportunities.
5-First ever cruise
into Lake Michigan
6-Produced and emailed the local
e-newsletter.
7-Organized and hosted the largest ever
national conference for engineers in the US (Third National
Conference).
8-Held a meeting for engineers in Orlando,
Florida.
Bilal
Almasri
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AAAEA Student Chapter
Assembly and
Presentation
Event: AAAEA Student Chapter Assembly
and Presentation
Date: 10/30/08
Location: University of Illinois at Chicago
Campus
Topic: Bettering
Career Opportunities
Turnout: Aprox. 20 undergrad and graduate
students.
The AAAEA -
UIC Student Chapter held an assembly last Thursday, October
30th, at the University of Illinois at Chicago campus with
guest speakers Bilal Almasri and Abed Ghouleh from the AAAEA
Illinois Section. The topic of the presentation was "Bettering
Career Opportunities." A large selection of subjects were
discussed, including how to prepare a high-quality resume,
successfully schedule an interview, and ultimately be hired
for the position. The turnout consisted of a combination of
approximately 20 undergrad and grad students of multiple
engineering fields, eight of which were not previous members
of the AAAEA but have decided to become part of the
organization as a result of attending. Overall, the event had
a great outcome and was a success. Not only did the students
receive valuable advice on bettering their careers, but also,
the meeting was a great way for our student members to get to
know some of our Illinois Section
members.
Kevin
Mesyef
President - AAAEA Student Chapter
University of
Illinois at
Chicago |
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AAAEA First
Cruise
Part of the weekend program for the
Third National Conference, AAAEA introduced to members the
first ever Cruise activity into Lake Michigan. The event took
place on Sunday October 19, 2008 and attended by about 50
colleagues and their spouses.
The weather was great for the
time of year in Chicago, the food was good, and the members
enjoyed the Jazz music and each other's company.
What I
noticed about this event is what I noticed about the camping
past summer. New faces joined this activity. Members, who you
don't see often, came out with their families and enjoyed the
event. Thank you Raghad for the idea, and I would like to
encourage everyone to provide ideas to keep our members
involved. This involvement creates opportunities to
networking, and that is a crucial component of providing
opportunities.
I would like to thank each and every one who
joined this event, and hope to see you in future events.
To see the pictures from the event,
please go to:
Bilal
Almasri | | |
