Re-learning Afghanistan

This article published on the 26th of April on the web-based publication University World News details plans announced by the  Afghan government to rebuild the  higher-education system. The UN backed program is aimed at  equipping and quilifiing individuals to meet the needs of the nation’s reconstruction and economic growth:

Halim [Nazar Mohammad Halim, of the faculty of science of Kabul University] said there were complex and almost overwhelming pressing needs for Afghanistan to rebuild its higher education sector. There were critical shortages of professionals such as engineers, technicians, administrators, accountants, agriculturists, and business leaders to meet the needs of reconstruction and economic growth, as well as an urgent requirement for well-educated and trained leadership in all sectors of the economy.

The article builds the plans of reforms and progress in the Afghan educatrion system as a great thing, using active and emotive words such as “dramatic progress”. This fits in with the goals of the publiucation; who aim to keep scholars and the public updated with advancements in the higher education field.

Nineteen higher education institutions have reopened their doors and enrolment has jumped from 4,000 students in 2001 to 37,000 in the autumn of 2007.

The government, for the first time, has encouraged the establishment of good-quality private higher education institutions with proper incentives and quality control mechanisms.The American University of Afghanistan established in 2006 and located in the Karte Se area of Kabul, is the nation’s first private higher education institution. It offers three undergraduate degrees, as well as intensive English-language preparation courses and professional development training.

The article brings hope to readers when you consider the extent of how war-torn this nation is.

Quality quotes enforce this notion:

“These universities are good steps towards increasing capacity building and encouraging the return of Afghan scientists who migrated to Europe, the United States, and Pakistan during over decades of war,” Halim said. “As well as assisting Afghanistan to re-emerge from decades of war and civil strife.” 

Advertisement