Ashraf Habibullah

Submitted by pnerkar on
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A picture of Ashraf Habibullah at the CEE Welcome Gala on the right with a light blue hexagon tessellation background on the left side.
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Alumni

Inspiring the Next Generation with Human Engineering

Ashraf Habibullah, CEO of Computers & Structures, Inc. (CSI) and a proud Berkeley CEE alumnus, has always championed the idea that interpersonal skills must accompany technical excellence. After earning his Master's degree in Structural Engineering from UC Berkeley in 1970, Ashraf has dedicated his career to advancing the field while inspiring others to lead with confidence and passion.

Ashraf delivered an engaging talk on "human engineering in education" to a packed Banatao Auditorium this fall. Drawing on research from the Carnegie Foundation, he emphasized that 85% of financial success stems from interpersonal skills, not just technical expertise. With his signature energy and humor, he encouraged over 150 CEE students to prioritize public speaking, human connection, and leadership as essential components of their education.

In addition to his insightful talk, Ashraf hosted the annual CEE Welcome Gala at Pauley Ballroom in October, celebrating the vibrancy and achievements of the Berkeley CEE community. Reflecting on the profound impact of civil engineering, he shared, "The profession of Civil Engineering is a profession that makes life better for all of humanity on a daily basis."

Watch CSI's highlight video of the gala here. Ashraf's ongoing contributions to Berkeley CEE exemplify his belief that great engineers must also be great communicators and leaders. Thank you, Ashraf, for your lasting impact on Berkeley CEE and the world of engineering!

CEE Welcome Gala Highlight Video

On Friday, October 4th, the CEE community came together for our annual Welcome Gala at Pauley Ballroom—a spectacular evening filled with camaraderie, inspiration, and fun!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ashraf Habibullah, CEO of Computers & Structures, Inc. (CSI), and a proud Berkeley CEE alumnus for hosting this incredible event.

Welcoming New CEE Faculty Members Franco Zunino and Manxi Wu!

We are pleased to welcome new faculty members Franco Zunino in Materials and Manxi Wu in Transportation and Systems, who will join the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering as Assistant Professors next January!

Their expertise builds on our tradition of innovation through cutting-edge research on novel cementitious materials (Zunino) and the application of game theory, multi-agent learning, and optimization to urban systems (Wu).

CE 167 Students Tour Undergraduate Academic Building Site

Dr. Mark Shami, instructor of CE 167 this fall semester, partnered with UC Berkeley Capital Projects to lead students on a visit of the Undergraduate Academic Building (UAB) site on October 25, 2024. 

The UAB's design is focused on sustainability and resilience, and will be the first campus building with a structural system built using mass timber construction. The UAB will be a new hub for undergraduate instruction and serve as a centralized home for Letters & Science Advising. It is expected to open in early 2026.

Zunino Organizes Conference on Low-Carbon Cement Science

Shaping the Fate of Low-Carbon Cement Science aims to bring together experts from the cement chemistry, physics, materials science and civil engineering domains to discuss the outstanding fundamental scientific challenges limiting an effective, widespread deployment of low-carbon cement and concrete. The conference will bridge fundamental science with practical, application-oriented outstanding challenges of low-carbon cement and concrete.

CEE Community Highlights Event Attended by Over 250 Guests

On Friday, October 25th, we hosted our inaugural CEE Highlights Event, attended by over 250 members of our vibrant community!

Attendees enjoyed four insightful talks from distinguished speakers who shared their expertise and perspectives on cutting-edge civil and environmental engineering topics. Additionally, the event featured around 40 student posters showcasing innovative research conducted by our talented students.

Berkeley Center for Smart Infrastructure Hosts Water Industry Workshop on Hazard Resilience

On Friday, October 11, the Berkeley Center for Smart Infrastructure, in collaboration with East Bay Municipal Utility District and Carollo, hosted a workshop focusing on building and testing hazard-resilient pipeline systems. More than 80 participants came together to discuss innovative strategies for planning, designing, and recovering from various hazards associated with permanent ground deformation.