Successful Strategies for Afghan Faculty Members Studying Abroad

Afghanistan University Linkages with North American Institutions of Higher Education: Lessons Learned and the Way Ahead January 25-26, 2011 Ball State University-Indianapolis Center Indianapolis, In

Presenters Dr. Yar Ebadi, Dean of College Of Business Administration, Kansas State University Dr. Julie Barker Lebo, Educational Consultant

Linkages Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan Balkh University, Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani, India Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA

Funding Strengthening Higher Education Project, Ministry of Higher Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (funded by the World Bank)

Faculty Goals A significant number of lecturers at Kabul and Balkh Universities in the Faculties of Engineering and Languages and Literature who have only a bachelor’s degree earn a Master’s degree at a foreign university The lecturers become proficient in English The lectures acquire skills in best-practice teaching methods The lecturers become current in their discipline The lecturers learn how to conduct academic research

Successful Outcomes of the Project 12 MA graduates Continual presence of Kansas State faculty in Afghanistan Curricular revisions Assistance with student advising and placement Use of Lab/equipment assistance Renewed interest in partners’ countries

Outcomes, cont. Academic linkages Research collaboration Grant opportunities Publishing opportunities

Strategies for Selection of Faculty English language proficiency Academic ability to meet international standards Openness to meeting and working with others Ability to be away from their families for at least three years Financial means to be abroad for at least three years

Strategies, cont. Willingness to try new teaching methods Flexibility Willingness to work hard academically.

Successful Strategies for Faculty While They are Studying On campus housing Meal plan Support for health issues Adequate academic advising Plug students into existing campus resources Financial advising regarding monthly budget Relationships Support for academic success: – Understanding a syllabus – Study skills – Test prep

Strategies, cont. – Time management – Homework – Writing skills

Strategies for Faculty Members Upon Return to Afghanistan On-going professional development Opportunities for professional and academic advancement Utilization of new-found knowledge Research capability Publishing opportunities Capability of participation in professional organizations

Strategies, cont. Grant opportunities Professional pay scale with merit pay Enhanced working conditions Leadership roles within the university and civil society Opportunities for university partnerships and fellowships Business and civil partnerships

Conclusion It is important to select the candidates for study abroad carefully, taking into account predictors of success It is often more convenient and less expensive for Afghan university teachers to earn Master’s degrees in other Asian countries It is important to diversify the places where the faculty members receive their degrees.