JEDDAH, 1 April 2004 — It was not long ago that a leading architect walked into Arab News offices to discuss what could be done to promote regular and intellectual interaction among different professionals. “I want to bring together all professionals on a common platform so that they share their experiences and expertise for the common good of all,” said the architect, Zahyr Siddiqi. Thus was born the Society for Environment, Architecture and Technology (SEAT) in December 1997, with architect Masood Ahmed and engineer Ali Rahmatallah forming a founding council.
SEAT hosts its seventh annual convention at Le Jeddah Meridien this evening. The meeting, with Kamal Daghistani, professor of ENT at King Abdul Aziz University’s College of Medicine, presiding, will have two lady guest speakers — prominent radio personality Samar Fatany and Christine Bates of the American School of Jeddah.
When SEAT was inaugurated in 1998, its message of “professional togetherness” inspired the community. Since its inception, the forum has claimed to be novel in its approach, and has attempted to organize professionals from different scientific backgrounds into a body with a common purpose and mission. “Since its modest beginning, the society has grown steadily and gained stature among professionals,” says Zahyr.
It has a core executive committee comprising Dr. Mohammed Maniyar as president, Salahuddin Ahmed as vice president, Zahyr Siddiqi as general secretary, senior joint secretary Salabat Lodhi and Dr. Iqbal Musani and Hafeez Rehman as joint secretaries, and Dr. Mohammed Mohsin and Ibrahim Khaleel as treasurer and joint treasurer respectively.
Its membership covers four levels — individual, subcommittee, executive committee and founding council.
Some of the benefits accruing to members are person-to-person networking, a voice for the professionals, continuing career development, professional leadership interest areas, elite social grouping, seminars, meetings and free newsletters.
“Although our membership exceeds 90, we intend to limit it to 70 in the interest of making it a cohesive and manageable organization,” Zahyr said. They include social scientists, doctors, architects, engineers, urban planners, chartered accountants, economists, bankers, academics, IT experts, journalists, linguists, executive managers, artists and sportsmen.
