1. Higher Education in Afghanistan: Achievements, Challenges & Strategic Plan Prof. M Osman Babury, DM for Academic Affairs

2. Overview of Higher Education in Afghanistan  The education system was totally destroyed because of decades of wars  Buildings severely damaged and many in disrepair  Shortage of skilled faculties and staff  Curriculum in need of revision  Limited IT infrastructure

3. Overview of Higher Education in Afghanistan  Ill-equipped libraries and labs  Lack of suitable learning resources  Limited number of female students  Limited foreign language skills  Research, non-existent

4. Main Achievements I. Academic: 1.HRD - PGE - Development of Master’s degree programs - Continuous development and upgrading of academic ranks - Recruiting new academic staff 2. Revision of Curriculum and Curriculum Development - National needs - Professional requirements - Implementation of credit system

5. Main Achievements 3. Establishment of the entrance exams directorate - Application of new legal framework - Rationalization of the system - Transparency 4. Establishment of the educational development working groups: - Research and publication - Curriculum development and credit system

6. Main Achievements 5. Establishing partnerships Major activities: - Raise the quality of the faculty through Masters programs and short term courses - Reform the curriculum of the Bachelors programs - Improve teaching methodology - Increase access to information technology and library resources - Equip the laboratories - Rehabilitate the physical infrastructure

7. Main Achievements 6. Approving Quality Assurance Mechanism - Criteria - Bylaw - Matrix

8. Main Achievements II. Governance : Admin Reform Revision of the departments ToR : - Planning & Policy - QA & Accreditation - Coordination of Academic Affairs New regulation / legal frameworks: - More autonomy to universities through - Rationalization of bureaucracy - Quality improvements - Meritocracy, Transparency & Accountibility 1. HE Law 2. Revision of regulations and bylaws 3. Approving new bylaws Respecting principles and regulations HEMIS

9. Main Achievements III. Infrastructure & assets Expansion of infrastructure and assets: 1. 47 construction projects are being implemented 2. Construction of 76 new teaching buildings 3. Provision of lab and teaching materials Access to Higher Education: 1. 24 Public Higher Education Institutes 2. 33 Private Higher Education Institutes Silk Road Project AFREN

10. Vision for Higher Education A high quality public and private higher education system that responds to Afghanistan’s growth and development needs, improves public well-being, respects traditions, incorporates modern scientific knowledge, is well managed, and internationally recognized.

11. Challenges Quality of higher education Access to higher education Financial constraints ( Constitutional Mandate: Part of Article 43 “The state is obliged to devise and implement effective programs for a balanced expansion of education all over Afghanistan” ) Governance

12. Partnerships Way to improve the situation Lessons learned Strong points Weak points Need orientation

13. THANK YOU