History of NEDEA
NED Engineers Association of Greater Chicago or NEDEA
NEDEA’s journey began in August 1995. A handful of NEDians participated in the Pakistan Day Parade at Warren Park, Devon Ave, Chicago. The group decided to arrange a picnic for the NEDians residing in the Chicago Metropolitan area. The picnic was arranged at the Forest Preserve in Kane County. After the success of the picnic, NEDians decided to arrange a meeting to establish an Association. The first meeting was held in December 1996 at Shabbir Hassan’s basement in Carol Stream, IL. Many of the attendees did not even know each other – they were from different disciplines and different batches. However, that ‘NED feeling’ was the common connection shared by all of them. They decided to formalize that connection and formed the NED Engineers Association of Greater Chicago (NEDEA), to include Chicago and its suburbs, Southern Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana. Thus was established the first NED Alumni Association in North America – NEDEA.
The founding Members of NEDEA were: Mohammed Shabbir Hassan, Afzaal Hafeez, Tanweer Mallick, Khawaja, Nizamuddin, Imtiaz Rehman, Khairulbashar Siddiqui, Farhan Siddiqui, Arshad Ansari, Rehan Wahab, Mohammad Naeem Khan, Shamshad Wali, and Syed Naeemuddin. NEDEA Board Of Directors 2017-18 consists of Nafis Hyder (Chairman), Rashid Hussain, Tazeen Akhtar, Khurshid Huda, and Fazal Mahmood.
NEDEA is a 501C-7 (Not-for-Profit) Organization, registered in the State of Illinois. Today the organization has 150 members and is growing. It regularly arranges family picnics in the summer and dinner in the winter. The annual dinner also serves as a General Body meeting. Besides this, NEDEA has arranged educational seminars, Iftar parties, cricket matches and has participated in Pakistan day parades. NEDEA has, over the years, also established and maintained contact with the Alma Mater in various capacities, including providing scholarships and technical and material assistance from time to time. NEDEA has also participated in raising funds for relief efforts for victims of natural disasters in Pakistan.
NEDEA is a member of the Illinois Engineering Council. It has also collaborated with the Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects (AAAEA).
NEDEA was the host of the NED 2010 Chicago – 6th International Alumni Convention and the leader in the establishment of NED International Alumni Network of North America (NEDIAN-NA), of which it is a Charter Member. NEDEA is a staunch supporter and well-wisher of NED Alumni Associations in all parts of NA. We extend our heartiest congratulations to NEDIAN-NA, our umbrella organization, and NEDians in Michigan for hosting NED 2017 Michigan – 13tth International Alumni Convention.
History
December 1996, a handful of NEDians got together over a chai/ samoosa party at an NEDians basement, to form an alumni association. Many of them did not even know each other as they belonged to different disciplines and different batches of NED. However, that ‘NED feeling’ was the common connection shared by all of them. They decided to formalize that connection and as a result NEDEA was formed. The association named NED Engineers Association of Greater Chicago, as it intended to encompass members in Chicago, its neighboring suburbs, Southern Wisconsin, and Northwest Indiana.
The founding Members of NEDEA: Mohammed Shabbir Hassan, Afzaal Hafeez, Tanweer Mallick, Khawaja Nizamuddin, Imtiaz Rehman, Khairulbashar Siddiqui, Farhan Siddiqui, Arshad Ansari, Rehan Wahab, Mohammad Naeem Khan and Shamshad Wali. Initially, NEDEA had seven Board members including the Chair. However, in 2007 the bylaws modified to downsize the Board and the number of members in the Board reduced to five for more effective organization of NEDEA activities. NEDEA is registered as a 501-C-7 (Not-for Profit) Organization in the State of Illinois.
Initially, NEDEA had seven Board members including the Chair. However, in 2007 the bylaws modified to downsize the Board and the number of members in the Board reduced to five for more effective organization of NEDEA activities. NEDEA is registered as a 501-C-7 (Not-for Profit) Organization in the
State of Illinois.
Objectives
The objectives planned for NEDEA were to provide a social platform for the NEDians and their families, to provide opportunities of professional growth and development for the NEDians, and to keep NEDians informed of employment opportunities in their respective fields. NEDEA over the years has played a significant role in bringing NEDians, living in the greater Chicago area, closer.
NEDEA Chairs
The founding Chair of the organization was Mohammed Shabbir Hassan who served a two year term in 1997 and 1998. Below is a list of Chairs from 1997 to present.
Present Day
Today the organization has over 100 members and is growing. It regularly arranges family picnic in the summer and a dinner in the winter. The annual dinner also serves as a General Body meeting. Besides this, NEDEA has also arranged educational seminars, Iftar parties, cricket matches and NEDIAN-NA conventions (2010 and 2023), among other activities. NEDEA has, over the years, also established and maintained contact with the Alma Mater in various capacities, including providing technical and financial assistance from time to time.
Our Board Members
Tazeen Akhtar
Chairwomen
Textile 2002
Tariq Shamim
Director of Professional Development
Mechanical 1988
Asad Bajwa
Director of Information and Communication
Electrical 1991
Adnan Hashmi
Director of Membership and Finance
Civil 1995
Saad Ahmed
Director of Social Affairs
Mechanical 1995