American University of Afghanistan

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The American University of Afghanistan دانشگاه امریکایی افغانستان


Motto:	Advancing Leadership, Global Standards, Opportunity
Established:	2006
Chairman:	Dr. Akram Fazel (Chair, Board of Trustees)
President:	Dr. Thomas M. Stauffer
Vice-president:	Mr. Johannes Brongers, MBA
Students:	300 (2007-08 Academic Year)
Location:	Kabul, Afghanistan
Website:	www.auaf.edu.af

The American University of Afghanistan (Persian: دانشگاه امریکایی افغانستان) (AUAF) located in Kabul, Afghanistan, is the nation’s first private, not-for-profit institution of higher education. Established in 2006, AUAF offers three undergraduate degree programs, as well as intensive English-language preparation courses and professional development training.

1 Location
2 History
3 Programs
4 Organization
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Location

The campus of the American University of Afghanistan is located in the Karte Se area of Kabul, Afghanistan.

[edit] History

The idea for AUAF began in 2002 with Dr. Sharif Fayez, then Afghan Minister of Higher Education. During his time as minister, he proposed establishment of the nation’s first-ever independent university. The following year in an address before UNESCO, United States First Lady, Laura Bush, announced support to educational initiatives in Afghanistan, and United States Ambassador Zalmay Khalizad encouraged the establishment of the American University of Afghanistan, based no doubt on his own experience at the American University of Beirut.

The Afghanistan High Commission for Private Investment offered leases on two parcels of land totalling 48 acres in the Karte Se area of Kabul until 2103. Also, the American University of Afghanistan Foundation was chartered in the State of Delaware (United States) under leadership of Dr. Jacob van Lutsenburg Maas, who later became Foundation president, as a non-profit philanthropic organization to receive these leases. (In 2007, the Foundation became a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization).

A charter for the establishment of the American University of Afghanistan was granted on July 26, 2004 by the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education, under Article 46, Chapter 2 of the new Afghan Constitution and Article 445 of the Civil Code/ A feasibility study was initiated by the Coordinating Council of International Universities, based in the United States, to recommend an institutional framework.^[1]

In December 2004, the inaugural meeting of the Board of Trustees convened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where Dr. Sharif Fayez, Afghanistan's former Minister of Higher Education, was elected President Pro Tempore, serving until April 2007, when he was named “Founder” by the new president and took on duties including liaison with the Afghan government.

In March 2005, United States First Lady, Laura Bush, visited the site and announced a substantial grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch the institution.^[2] USAID continues to form the primary financial backer of the organization while it seeks alternative funding sources.

The first students of the American University of Afghanistan enrolled in March 2006. Initially they took "foundation" classes to improve their English-language and study skills, followed in September 2006 the first credit-bearing undergraduate courses. In 2007 the Professional Development Institute was launched, which provides adult professional courses and adult professional level programs.

On 8 June 2008, Mrs. Bush announced an additional $40 million (USD) in funding for the subsequent five years. Funding will cover the bulk of the University's operating expenses during that period.

[edit] Programs

Programs are offered at foundation, undergraduate, and continuing education levels. All programs are conducted entirely in English. The University runs on the US semester system with the academic year starting in August, and in other respects operates in the style of American Universities around the world.

The Undergraduate Degree Program

American University of Afghanistan currently offers three four-year undergraduate degree programs: Business Administration, Information Technology, and General Studies (Liberal Arts). All undergraduate programs include an applied general studies component, consisting of 15 courses of study. Through applied general studies, students gain knowledge in a variety of areas in their first two years of study, including both required and elective courses in English composition, mathematics, the natural sciences, arts and humanities, and the social sciences.

The Foundation Studies Program

The Foundation Studies Program prepares students for the challenging expectations of university degree programs, and also develops the high-level English language skills necessary to take on major employment positions in Afghanistan or abroad. AUAF offers instruction in English through native English-speaking instructors from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and South Asia.

The Professional Development Institute

The American University of Afghanistan’s Professional Development Institute was established in 2007 to meet the training needs of professionals in Afghanistan and the region. It offers an array of high-impact, high-value training courses, workshops and seminars to professionals from the private sector, non-governmental organizations working in Afghanistan and the region, and governmental bodies.

[edit] Organization

The overall governance and management of AUAF is overseen by the Board of Trustees. The Board makes all major financial decisions, as well as decisions on the policies and procedures required for AUAF to achieve its vision and mission. The Board is constituted by leading members of the academic, business and political communities in Afghanistan and the United States.

The President is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Board and for the overall administration of the University. The President is assisted in by two Vice-Presidents: The Chief Finance and Administration Officer and the Chief Academic Officer.

Established in February 2004, the American University of Afghanistan Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to supporting the University primarily through awareness-raising and fundraising efforts. Based in Delaware, United States, the Foundation has been granted tax-exempt status under article 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently all contributions made from US income are fully tax deductible for US income tax purposes. Donations to the Foundation can be made through their website.

Tuition for Afghans is $5,000.00 (USD) and for non-Afghans, $7,500.00 per academic year. Financial assistance is available.