UNO's Center for Afghanistan Studies is establishing new departments at Kabul and Balkh Universities of Afghanistan.
Establishing New Departments at Kabul and Balkh Universities of Afghanistan
The Center for Afghanistan Studies (CAS) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has received federal funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through FHI360 to launch the UNO-Kabul University (KU) and Balkh University Communication project. This partnership is part of the United States Workforce Development Program (USWDP) for Afghanistan administered by FHI360.
The specific needs of the KU and BU Faculty of the to-be-established Communication Departments are being addressed by this program, including curriculum development, faculty exchanges as well as training in pedagogy. The expected results of the program include providing faculty with enhanced teaching capability, exposing the faculty to a wide range of professional experiences, as well as updating the curriculum and textbooks.
The potential impact of this exchange program is tremendous. Those receiving direct benefit include the Afghan faculty from both Afghan universities, the students they will teach and supervise or train in Afghanistan, and the professors of the UNO College of Communication who will be conducting this seminar.
Needs Assessment
The Center received this grant in April 2016 and project activities will run through April 2018. UNO faculty of the School of Communication leads the efforts of providing academic capacity building in this project.
Some of the needs recognized during the first needs assessment trip to both universities were:
- Policy Document Development
- Curriculum Development
- Syllabus development
- Faculty Training
- Learning Assessment Training
- Research Capacity Development
Goals of the Project
The goals of the project are to improve academic capacity of the Balkh University Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication and Kabul University Faculty of Languages and Literature teaching Communication Studies to ensure quality education and employment for a larger number of Afghan men and women.
Objectives for the project:
- Assist in developing curriculum and quality teaching and learning material relevant to the market-oriented knowledge and employability
- Develop the skills of Kabul and Balkh University Faculty in quality teaching
- Develop the skills of Master Board Committee members in quality monitoring, supervision, and implementation of Bachelors of Communication curriculum
Future activities developed for continued partnership with Kabul University and Balkh University comprise of:
- Ongoing faculty support and professional development provided by UNO program staff for KU and BU faculty members
- Advising KU and BU faculty of policy document, curriculum, syllabus and development of other education material
- Creation and implementation of Gender Inclusion Training
- Future trips planned to Afghanistan, and third country locations to promote collaboration between UNO and Afghan cohorts
On-Going Support of Afghan Students
In addition, UNO will also ensure communication with KU and BU faculty through virtual means of communication by arranging Skype calls and sharing information through other means of Information Technology.
UNO will also be providing both universities with textbooks and other material for specific classes and subjects to be taught at the Departments of Communication. These books and material will be jointly identified by Afghan and American faculty with a goal to address the needs of Afghan students.
The anticipated results, both short and long-term, are for the Afghan professors to assist in the improvement of instruction and curriculum for Kabul and Balkh Universities in Afghanistan, and the enhancement of understanding between the people of Afghanistan and the USA.
Additional Reading Materials
Summary and trip agenda for the Dec. 2016 communications seminar workshop in New Delhi, India
Summary and trip agenda for the Oct. 2017 communications seminar workshop in New Delhi, India
Summary of the Dec. 2017 communications seminar workshop in Goa, India
Summary of the March 2018 communications seminar workhop in Mumbai, India
Summary of the June 2018 communications seminar workshop in Mumbai, India
Summary of the Sept. 2018 communications seminar workshop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates