Book & Author
The Bridge: Pursuit of American Dream
By Dr Ahmed S. Khan
Chicago, IL
Dr Mir M. Ali PhD, is a professional structural engineer and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA. The Bridge: Joining East-West Nations and Cultures While Treading Life's Difficult Path , is his memoir. It is a fascinating story of Mir Maqsud Ali, who grew up in a small town of Patuakhali in coastal East Pakistan (Bangladesh), got his college education and work experience in Dhaka, and then travelled to Canada and the United States, where he completed his graduate studies and gained work experience to become a leading structural engineer of the world; and in the process befriended Fazlur Rehman Khan, the great structural engineer, the designer of some of the world’s tallest structures like Sears Tower and John Hancock Center in Chicago.
Commenting on the purpose of the book, the author observes: “…purpose of my autobiography is to create a document distilling my beliefs, accomplishments, life lessons, personal reflections, anticipations, and surrounding socio-political circumstances. It’s about creating a legacy that I believe also has a great residual value for my family, friends and future generations, as well as general readers who care to know about the life of a naturalized American citizen…The purpose of the book is to tell the story of my life and my struggle and inner conflict to be part of both Eastern and Western civilizations, which will hopefully appeal to both Easterners and Westerners. I hope the readers, whether from the East or the West, will bear with my views and interpretations, as well as my forthrightness and a great deal of oddities.”
The author masterfully tells his life story in the book split in five parts. Part I covers his foundational years; childhood (1944-1958) and struggles in Dhaka (1958-1970); part II narrates his travel to Canada and trials and tribulations in various cities of Ontario, Canada (1970-1980); part III covers his move to Chicago (1980-1984), journey to Singapore (1984), and academic life in Urbana-Champaign(1985-2015); part IV deals with his life’s fulfillments, research and explorations, contributions to his motherland, his work on Tall Building Council in leading roles and establishment of F.R. Khan Chair, and his consultancies; and part V explores his journey back to Chicago (2015- ), philosophical discussions on human frame and the art of living, the two worlds apart; and finally the book concludes with an epilogue.
Attributing his success to his parents, siblings and friends, the author observes: “My life’s accomplishments, whatever they are, and the person I am or have become were possible for my contact or association with several people including my teachers, associates, relatives, and friends. Most of all, clearly the influence of the following people was paramount in shaping my career path: my strong and outgoing mother Azifa Ali, who implanted in me the value of education and good morals, and was ahead of her time and my wise and saintly father Mir Muazzam Ali, whom I consider a gentle giant who had taught me modesty and honesty in my dealings with others and broadness of mind by his own example; my oldest brother Dr Mir Maswood Ali, who was a clear-thinking intellectual and lateral thinker, and would go out of his way to help others; Dr Fazlur Rahman Khan, who looked up to the stars but never forgot the earth under his feet, viewed structural engineering as an art form, and revolutionized tall building design forever…my wife Dora’s sustained encouragement and everlasting calmness under pressure made me feel secure so I could overcome the ravages of my life’s occasional setbacks. I have also learned from my three children who have occasionally helped me to make decisions and have shown to me how precious they are to me.”
In his memoir, Dr Mir Ali has successfully traveled back in space and time tracing his footsteps for his journey from a small coastal town in the East to the megacities of the West, in pursuit of his American Dream. The author has skillfully juxtaposed his personal trials and tribulations of life with the histories and the cultures of the East and the West, and in the process he has evolved as a true global citizen.
The book is an essential read for all technical and general readers, students, and teachers; especially the younger generation can learn a lot from the experiences and advice of Dr Mir Ali. In the following interview, Dr Ali reflects on various facets of his career spanned over five decades.
Author’s Interview
Q: Are you satisfied by crossing “the bridge” and achieving the American Dream? What cultural similarities and differences did you experience while living in the East and the West?
A: Yes. Cultural similarities are very few, but differences are many. I recognize when I say East: it’s mostly South Asian and Middle Eastern countries and most of the East Asian or Pacific Rim countries about which I know. When I say West it is North America, Europe, and Australia. My living in the Indian Subcontinent and in North America primarily allowed me to make the assessment. It is hard to generalize as there are exceptions, but I will try. Both the East and the West are unique in their own ways.
Regarding the differences: 1. The East is traditional, generally conservative, and closed society. West expresses thoughts and feelings more freely and is an open society. 2. In the East elders are highly respected by the young and make major decisions. Arranged or negotiated marriages are common in the East, love generally comes after marriage. In the West, elders are treated more as friends with some respect and most decisions are taken by the young. Marriages happen through dating. As a result, sexual promiscuity is rampant. Premarital sex is common in the West but not so in the East and is unacceptable there. 3.Nudity and semi-nudity are allowed in some settings in the West but not in the East. Nudity in locker rooms is a norm in the West, but not so in the East. As a graduate student I saw girls in bikinis sunbathing near where I lived or in the beaches and boys and girls mingling intimately in public in the West. In the East I didn’t see this as much. Homosexuality and gay marriages are acceptable in the West but not in the East. 4. Alcoholism is part of the open culture in the West but not so in the East, particularly in Islamic countries. 5. People are individualistic in the West but collective and gregarious in the East. Ties with families and extended families are strong in the East, but not so strong in the West. 6. Children take care of old parents in their homes in the East but not much in the West. 7. People with disability and special needs are treated well in the West, but not so in the East. 8. More emphasis on rights is seen in the West whereas on duties in the East. 9. The West is scientific and rational; the East is spiritual and emotional. The list can go on. It is difficult to find cultural similarities. These are basically human traits:1. People in both East and West are dreamers. 2. In the East and West people are busy with their families and livelihood.
Q: How did your idea of the American Dream change before and after coming to America?
A: My idea of theAmerican Dream was nebulous before entering America since I didn’t experience it firsthand. I didn’t know the full meaning of the expression although I had read about it. To me then America was a dreamland. As a young boy I thought of America as a generous country. After cyclones that devastated my coastal hometown and the region, America would send plenty of humanitarian aids that my mother as the Vice President of All Pakistan Women’s Association and her associates (APWA) would distribute to the needy and affected. I fell in love with the technological triumphs of this country and admired the people who built such a great urban civilization. I was able to realize my own dream by working ceaselessly availing myself of the opportunities and resources that the country offered. But what is the American Dream today to the immigrants and the local minority population?
It is an uncertain time for them. Some political leaders no longer welcome immigrants and other minority groups like before. Thus, at this moment the meaning and appeal of the American Dream have dwindled. I am hopeful though that American history has witnessed times of turmoil and experienced harder times before and America survived. And the promise of the American Dream will be restored. I believe America is large, strong, and resilient enough to reinstate the hobbled American Dream.
Q: Your area of specialization is structures, what trends do you see shaping up in the design and construction of Skyscrapers? What future holds for structures?
A: Skyscraper construction is still evolving. New structural systems allowed the height to reach 1 km for Jeddah Tower now under construction. Human creativity, ego, aspirations, and drive will likely push the height further to realize the “mile-high dream.” I am not for it as it has many undesirable ramifications; I covered it in some of my papers and writings as well as the book “The Future of the City.” Structurally this is no problem as we have the technology not only of structures that continues to be more sophisticated but also of constructability, HVAC, vertical transportation, electrification, and plumbing, etc. Rhetorically speaking “we can build to the moon.”
The future may not be as rosy for supertall and mega tall skyscrapers for different reasons but then also, I believe in indomitable human ingenuity and drive. However, because of the advent of home office and virtual meeting, physical offices may not be needed to the extent as before reducing the need for commercial skyscrapers in the future. Also, materials made from natural resources that are used for skyscraper construction will dwindle and may hamper the growth of skyscrapers. Novel synthetic and material substitutes may someday be found to build skyscrapers. New modes of skyscraper construction connecting them with habitable and occupy-able “skybridges” may be engaged to exploit the natural airspace. Some skyscrapers have been built with skybridges. This will create 3D cities with skyscrapers with both vertical and horizontal scales.
Q: Dr Fazlur Rahman Khan was one of your close friends. What kind of a person and professionalwas he? What unique memories do you have about his friendship?
A: Dr Khan was an engineer’s engineer who looked up to the sky with his skyscrapers but was mindful of the ground under him. A modest and kind person with humility, a humanist, he could level with anybody. Yet he was professionally aggressive and always thought of better ways to design buildings. He was a good communicator and quick-thinking man with an extremely fertile and decisive mind. He could quickly forgive and suppress his anger if he were upset with someone. He had a global vision of the built environment and cities with an understanding of the local conditions. I remember his courteous manners when I met him for first time in his office and spent an hour amidst his busy schedule. His occasional advice helped me in my profession. In Bangladeshi cultural functions I saw him as very personable with others. He could chat with kids, men and women equally and comfortably.
Q: Howhas the academia changed during the past five decades in terms of teaching and learning practices? How has technology impacted education? What is the future of engineering education?
A: Technology has taken over education. Teaching is now through PowerPoint presentations and use of digital technology. Distance learning through online courses are becoming universal. Although it has some benefits, I don’t like it as the social and human touch is getting lost.
Professors and students are losing human interaction and chemistry and may not even know each other. Also, the students will not know each other as well. It opens the room for cheating. Engineering education is too technical which makes engineers poor communicators. More diverse courses in arts, finance, etc. should be introduced to make them well-rounded and be equipped to be verbal and interact with the society. I believe in unity in diversity. If needed, a five-year bachelor degree program should be introduced to accommodate additional courses. This has, of course implications, but should be given due consideration. Regarding the future, engineering education needs reform and continuous updating as the world has changed technologically and so have the needs of the profession and the society.
Q: What suggestions do you have for students that will go into the professional world with the vital task of facing the challenges of today?
A: Work hard and focus on your studies. A few years of your student life now after high school is a relatively small time compared to your future working life when you will face professional challenges. Figuratively speaking, you are ships being built now and once built will sail in the sea of work life. Build yourself now strongly that will endure. Learn from the professors as much as you can and get the technical and practical knowledge, so you are well prepared when you move from academic to the professional world. And continue the learning process, thinking of finding better ways to design, and trying to develop expertise in whatever you are doing.
Q: What are your major accomplishments and regrets?
A: I consider my major accomplishments as being a successful academic recognized in my field and being the author/editor of several professional books and articles and my memoir, as well as contributing to my native country. On another front, I was able to raise my three children to be well-educated with good character. I have two regrets: first, not being able to take care of my parents during their old age who shaped me and second, not spending enough time with my children when they were young and also unintentionally making them victims of bi-culturism.
Q: What advice/message would you like to pass on to next generation for achieving success?
A: Work hard, avoid laziness and mediocrity, never stop learning, be honest, responsible and be a person with good character and integrity, caring and kind to others, and don’t create enemies in your workplace. Be a good citizen.
(Dr Ahmed S. Khan - dr.a.s.khan@ieee.org - is a Fulbright Specialist Scholar)
