2013 CEE Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Khaled M.R. Abdulghani (MS ’70, Ph.D. ’82) is a businessman, a founder and a partner in several companies mostly specializing in the environmental business. He is chairman of the Saudi Gulf Environmental Protection Company (SEPCO Environment), ISO-certified, the first company in the Middle East with the largest network of plants for medical waste treatment in major cities in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries; chairman of Granit Middle East, an environmental research company that produces Environment and Development magazine and conducts research and studies; and vice chairman of the Saida MSW Plant in Lebanon.
He received his bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia, in 1976. He earned two degrees from MSU, his master’s degree in civil engineering – transportation in 1979, and his Ph.D. in civil engineering – transportation in 1982.
Between 1982 and1985, he taught and supervised several master’s degree and doctoral students in transportation at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. In 1985, he was designated as assistant deputy minister of transportation in Saudi Arabia.
He then served as mayor of Jeddah from 1987 until 1998, representing his country in mayors meetings of Arab and International Cities organizations. He was appointed as deputy commissioner general at Expo 1986 in Canada. He was also a member of the Saudi delegation to the UNESCO Conference (Habitat) Istanbul and a representative at the Arab League organization in Tunis. He received three first prizes on behalf of the city of Jeddah from the Arab Cities Award for Environmental Health, Cleanliness and Preservation of old Jeddah.
He acquired more than 100 certificates of appreciation and recognition from local, regional and international organizations. He received the Graduate of the Year Award from MSU in 1999, the International Mass Transit Association Award in 1987, and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (CCASG) Award for the Best Environmental Personage for two consecutive years—2005 and 2006.
Dr. Khaled and his wife, Amera Semsem, live in Jeddah. They have three sons and three daughters.
