The delegation also evaluated the AIT-Balkh University project, where
AIT has been providing consulting services since December 2007. The
project has been supporting strategic planning and implementation of
programs at higher education institutions like Balkh University.
The delegation, which comprised of Dr. Sayed Askar Musavi, Chief
Advisor for Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE); Dr. Cheragh Ali
Cheragh, Chancellor, Balkh University; Mr. Abdul Rahim Wardak,
Coordinator, Strengthening Higher Education Projection (SHEP); and Mr.
Mohammad Qaasim, AIT-BU Project Manager, stated that they are keen that
the collaboration with AIT is long term and strategic. “We wish that
the partnership with AIT is no longer restricted to one project, but
moves into a long term program partnership,” Dr. Musavi said.
The next phase of the program seeks AIT’s engagement in human resource
development, curriculum enhancement, information technology
development, research capability, institutional development and other
partnership programs with 12 universities in Afghanistan.
Welcoming the delegation, the AIT President, Prof. Said Irandoust
remarked that AIT is proud of its association with Afghanistan. “AIT
always mentions the Afghanistan project with great pride and it wishes
to strengthen the collaborative efforts,” Prof. Irandoust added. The
President remarked that AIT has 50 alumni working in Afghanistan. He
also invited Afghanistan to sign the AIT Charter. Dr. Cheragh remarked
that the feedback received from Afghanistan students at AIT has been
extremely positive.
Prof. Nazrul Islam of AIT’s School of Management (SOM); Dr. Nitin
Kumar Tripathi, Acting Dean- School of Engineering and Technology
(SET); Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, AIT Extension; Dr. Naveed Anwar,
Executive Director, AIT Consulting; Mr. Upul Kaluhetti Brahmanage,
Senior Program Officer, AIT Extension; and Mr. Tenzin Rabgyal, Senior
Program Officer, External Relations and Communications Office (ERCO)
also attended the meeting.
