Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: Professor Hamidullah Farooqi, Kabul University’s Chancellor and Advisor Minister on Higher Education to President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, briefed Minister of Economy, Abdul Sattar Murad, on future plans for Kabul University at the Minister of Economy. Prof. Farooqi informed the Economy Minister about the upcoming projects for Kabul University. These areas include research and development necessary for institutional capacity-building, exploring issues, and offering solutions to the problems of Afghanistan.
Prof. Farooqi told the minister of the interest and sincere efforts of the Indian Embassy in establishing research and capacity-building centers in Kabul University. He also thanked the Indian Embassy and their unwavering efforts in building people-to-people and government-to-government relations in terms of repairing bureaucratic systems and enabling Afghan institutions to better deliver excellent services to the people of Afghanistan.
Prof. Farooqi has said that the SAARC’s initial concept note for the Center for Central and South Asian Studies has been submitted to the South Asian University who welcomed the initiative. The establishment of this center at Kabul University will explore the critical issues of South and Central Asia and their regional impact.
Prof. Farooqi added that Kabul University will soon be transformed into a research university through a comprehensive strategy plan. Furthermore, he briefed the minister that Kabul University is planning to establish a Center of Policy Research for Afghanistan and the region; a Research Center for Exploring the Causes of Terrorism and Conflicts, Drugs and Narcotics; a Central and South Asian Studies Center; the Kalam Science Center; a Marketing and Products Development Center; and an Educational Assessment and Teacher Training Center. He confidently added “more than 80 percent of the paperwork of the respective centers has been completed and will soon be shared with national and international stakeholders and donors.
Minister Murad appreciated the efforts of Prof. Hamidullah Farooqi and has shown interest in supporting and finding the necessary funding for the respective centers at Kabul University. He appreciated the history and contribution of Kabul University. Meanwhile, he valued the efforts of the government of India in supporting the institutions and people of Afghanistan in this juncture.
Minister Murad promised that he would give priority to the funding of Kabul University and his team will follow up on the valuable projects for the transformation of Kabul University. He also stressed the importance of quality education and the scope of research in higher education. He reminded that e-governing comes through modernizing, digitizing and improving the quality of education.
It is expected that the proposed research centers at Kabul University will flourish as they explore the problems of Afghanistan in critical areas. The lack of research centers in Afghanistan has contributed to misunderstanding of problems, issues, culture, politics, and economics. These centers are important for bringing coordination and understanding for the stability and prosperity of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the centers will play an active role in the capacity-building of Afghan officials and institutions. The Afghan government’s proper follow up and the interest of the International Community can transform this vision into reality through moral, financial and technical support.
