Development of the Higher Education System in Afghanistan for the Past 10 Years and the Current Challenges

Prof. Tariq Kamal, RectorKhurasan Institute of Higher EducationJalalabad, Afghanistan

Agenda

Introduction Higher Education in Afghanistan Current Government Initiatives Challenges and Expectations Euro-Asia Cooperation in Higher

Education Conclusion

Introduction Higher education is important for

the development of any nation.

The 21st century requires a highly skilled workforce, thus developing countries must focus on their higher education systems in order to compete successfully.

Afghanistan at this renovating stage needs a strong support from international community.

Higher Education in Afghanistan

Higher education started in Afghanistan in 1932 and continued progressing until 1992.Year Universities / Institutions

1932 Faculty of Physical Education1946 Kabul University1963 Nangarhar University1969 Polytechnical Univesity, Kabul1977 Ministry of Higher Education 1987 Balkh University, Mazar-e-sharif1990 Kandahar University

Taliban and Mujahidin Era

The higher education institutions which were already in a lamentable condition worsened under the Taliban

Only 7 out of the 14 universities were in operation

Main problems included shortage of competent professors and financial constraints

Development from 2001-2011

According to a survey in 2009, there were nineteen(19) public sector universities which accommodate 45,200 students.

Now there are 24 public universities, which accommodate almost 70,000 students.

There are 41 private institutions of higher education which accommodate almost 26,000 students.

The in-take of higher education institution are increasing each year .

Current Government: Educational Growth

2004 2005 2006 2007010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,000

# of Higher Education En-rollments

# o

f Stu

dent

s

2007: 19% of total students enrolled were womenNote: Data not available for 2008-2010

Institutional Growth: 2001-2011

2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000

5,000 (7)

45,200 (19)

70,000 (24)

# o

f Stu

dent

s

Before 20017 Universities5,000 Students

In 2007:19 Universities 45,200 Students

Currently: 24 Universities70,000

Kabul University

Khost University

Hirat University

Kabul Enduction University

Kabul Medical University

Kabul Poly Technique University

Nangarhar University

Alberoni University

Kandahar University

Intitute of Higher Education Jowzjan

Parwan Higher Education Institute

Takhar University

Kunduz Higher Education Institute

Faryab Higher Education Institute

Bamyan University

Paktia University

Badakhshan Higher Education

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Percent of Student Enrollment Per Public University

Current Government Initiatives

Current government has taken the following steps in development of higher education system. Establishing new public and private

universities across the entire country Higher educational institutes are

functioning in 18 provinces of Afghanistan

Improvement in infrastructure for educational institutes

Current Government Initiatives (cont.)

Strategic Development Plan (2005-2015) Improving the standard of education Reforming the system and institutional growth,

making institutions autonomous in financial and educational affairs.

Access to higher education by encouraging the private sector to establish institutions and setting up new public sector institutions.

Providing financial resources through different means and resources.

Enactment of new laws for the better administration of higher education system and for adapting it to the standard of the developed countries.

Introduction of credit system to some public universities and all private universities

Development of six laboratories in the engineering , agriculture, veterinary, science and some other departments of different universities with the cooperation of United States, Japan, France and German.

Revision and upgrading of curriculum

Current Government Initiatives (cont.)

1. Germany and USA (Kabul Uni.) 2. Japan, France and USA(Kabul Medical Uni.)3. Japan and USA(Kabul Education Uni.)4. Germany (Heart Uni.)5. Pakistan, Germany, USA (Balkh Uni.)6. Switzerland ( Bamyan Uni.)7. Germany (Khost Uni.)8. Germany (Parwan Uni)

Collaboration with universities of other countries

Focus of Teaching Department.1. Reassigning former faculty members

2. Raising the salaries of the faculty members

3. Providing scholarship for faculty members

Current Government Initiatives (cont.)

Management Information System

Current Government Initiatives (cont.)

Challenges and Expectations

Challenges and Expectations

Professional Aspects: Standard of education

▪ Syllabus and textbooks▪ Shortage of competent teachers

Weak infrastructure Insufficient resources for education and

their utilization

Euro-Asia Cooperation in Higher Education

Silk Road can support Afghanistan in the following aspects. Development of long term education

policies Curriculum updating according to

international standards Resources (electronic library access,

books, audio and video material) Establishing teacher resource centers

Student career counseling Credit transfer program Scholarships Affiliation and accreditation Investment in higher education

Euro-Asia Cooperation in Higher Education

Internship programs for fresh graduates in Afghanistan

Promotion of private sector universities—specifically eastern Afghanistan

Improvement in teaching methodologies through training

Euro-Asia Cooperation in Higher Education

Questions?

Ahmad Tariq Kamal, Rectorwww.khurasan.edu.af

Email: atkamal@khurasan.org