IE’s Aljahmi Cites Challenges,
Connections among Meaningful Cullen Experiences

By Alex Keimig

As industrial engineering undergraduate student Abdulrahman Aljahmi prepared to graduate last December, he took a moment with us to reflect on his time in the Cullen College of Engineering — his personal and professional accomplishments, his pursuit of academic success as a transfer student, and how his world-class engineering education at UH has prepared him for the future.

“One of my biggest challenges was transferring to the University of Houston from out of state,” Aljahmi said. “Moving from Michigan to Texas was initially difficult, as I didn’t know anyone on campus or in the area. Another obstacle was transferring my credits, as some of the required electives in Texas delayed my graduation. Looking back, I’m grateful for these challenges, as they shaped my journey and contributed to my personal growth in ways I hadn’t anticipated.”

“I take pride in my academic performance and the knowledge I’ve gained, which has prepared me for the next stage of my career,” he added. “The coursework at UH has provided me with a foundation in critical thinking, technical skills, and problem-solving, all of which are essential for any career. The internship and co-op opportunities I pursued during my studies were invaluable, allowing me to apply my knowledge in real-world settings and gain practical experience.”

Beyond academics, he also cites forming “meaningful connections” with professors and fellow students as one of his greatest accomplishments in his time at the University of Houston.

“Serving as president of the IISE chapter was a highlight of my time at UH, offering me the chance to make a lasting impact on the student community while enhancing my leadership skills,” Aljahmi said.

“My leadership experience as president of the IISE chapter helped me develop key skills such as communication, collaboration, and decision-making. These experiences taught me how to manage teams, handle challenges, and adapt to new situations — skills that are invaluable in both professional environments and leadership roles. I feel that my time at UH has provided me with the skills and connections needed to thrive in any professional environment.”

“Success, to me, is about self-discipline and commitment in pursuing what is meaningful in life,” he continued. “I feel successful when I can make an impact on the lives of others and be useful to those around me. Having a good reputation and excelling in what I do is a great start on this journey.”

Aljahmi offers this wisdom to the students who follow behind him: “I know this journey can be tough, and there will be times when you want to give up, but please keep pushing forward. Trust me, you will get there. Everyone has felt that way at some point. Keep in mind that the value of education extends beyond financial gain; the journey of being a student and the friendships you make along the way are incredibly meaningful. Embrace the challenges — they contribute to your growth and enrich your life in ways that money alone cannot.”

Tech Division’s Alanazi
Excels in TPM

By Alex Keimig

Jamaan Alanazi, a Technology Project Management graduate student, came to the University of Houston to study project management in 2022 after bouncing between home and abroad due to the initial COVID-19 outbreaks. His experiences and his time in the Technology Division have had a profound impact not only on his professional development, but on his daily habits, too.

“I grew up in AlUla, a city in northwestern Saudi Arabia with many resources and tourist attractions, but it didn’t receive much attention until 2017. Around the same time as the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on diversifying the country’s economy, the Royal Commission for AlUla — my scholarship sponsor — was established, focusing on transforming AlUla into a global cultural, historical, and tourism destination by highlighting its rich heritage and natural beauty,” said Alanazi.

“The Royal Commission for AlUla’s transformational projects were initiated all around me, and I didn’t know anything about them — their environment, how projects work. Seeing that happening in my hometown, I didn’t want to be someone who just sat back and watched from the sidelines.”

Alanazi’s scholarship journey began in 2019, and he first found himself in New York. When COVID hit, he returned to Saudi Arabia for a year before making his way back to Houston instead of New York.

“I hate cold weather,” he laughed.

“They advised me to go to Houston, and I really liked it. I like the culture, the people; here in Houston, I feel as much at home as in Saudi.”

Alanazi has taken advantage of some of the unique opportunities that the city and the University of Houston has to offer, including PMI Houston — the first and one of the largest Project Management Institute chapters in the world and the site of the first-ever PMI Student Venue, founded in 2022.

“I’ve gained a lot of experience. Meeting and socializing with different people and personnel from the industry is really building on the knowledge that I’ve gained from this program,” Alanazi said. “In these classes, you have so many different students with such a wide range of experience, from entry level to senior level. As a person who really didn’t have practical experience in project management, some concepts were challenging for me to understand. I’ve had to really push myself to grasp the structure and the environment of project management. Not until I led my own project — my capstone project — did I really feel confident in that.”

Alanazi credits instructional assistant professor of technology project management Dennis Sherman, Ph.D., with offering invaluable support for himself as well as his fellow students, while Sherman himself considers Alanazi to be “a true testimony to our excellent [TPM] program.”

“Seeing Dr. Sherman really proud of that accomplishment and complimenting my work definitely boosted my confidence,” Alanazi said. “Starting without prior experience was a challenge, but the professors really helped. I really appreciate all of the professors who passed along their knowledge in each of the different courses that I took, from leadership and team building to risk analysis and assessment.

“Managing a project is a skill I’ve developed and continue to practice, not just in projects or the industry, but in daily life. Time management, problem-solving, and managing stakeholder expectations have become daily habits for me, and I’m very grateful for that.”