Director: Daniel C. Levy

Private Beginnings in Afghanistan

PROPHE Summary (by Yingying Xu):
The Afghan government is actively planning for the country's first private university. The American University of Afghanistan is to be American-style, with English-language instruction and mainly American professors. It is to open as an undergraduate institution, with graduate programs in the future. The Afghan Ministry of Higher Education has contracted an American organization for expertise on foreign institution building and is obtaining U.S. government funds. There will be a 10-month feasibility study from this summer, with the university slated to open shortly thereafter.

For the full story see the Chronicle of Higher Education, May 6, 2003. "Afghan Government Backs Plan for an American-Style University in Afghanistan," by Daniel Del Castillo.

PROPHE Observation (by Daniel C. Levy):
The mammoth political and economic change occurring in Afghanistan since the war there has counterparts in educational change. Creation of a private university reflects Americanization, with U.S. government involvement. Additionally, the Afghan government role reflects a tendency in Asia and the Middle East of official promotion for establishment of private higher education sectors. Private higher education already exists in neighboring Pakistan.