دانشگاه فارابی افغانستان     Farabi University of Afghanistan

Kabul visit, 12-18 March 2003

بازدید و مذاکره با مقامات افغانستان - اسفند1381

A Platform for Transition of Afghanistan into the Information Society

In a sustainable development process, the social infrastructure is prerequisite to the industrial and physical infrastructures. Today, we are in a historical process of transition into the Information Society. The reconstruction of Afghanistan requires highly trained and specialized human resources in every field on a massive scale to make an effective and productive transition into the information age.  At the same time, the reconstruction process can not wait years for the training of these forces.  Thus, an alternative approach to the traditional system of higher education and training must be sought in order to bypass this immense obstacle.  The Open University System, based on the interactive virtual cyber communications will serve as the most effective platform for building the new social infrastructure for Afghanistan.  

The urgency of rebuilding the country requires quick adoption to the new paradigm and the introduction of the most advanced technologies. Without a doubt, time is of the essence, yet, critical criteria must be taken into considerations in every evaluation and selection process. The most obvious and determining factors may include the following criteria: 

Economic criteria:

The limited financial resources dictate many constraints and limit the available choices. Hence, a system with the lowest per capita expenditure and quickest returns shall be given the highest priority.    

Implementation criteria:

Specific conditions of the country require that projects not to be contingent upon the completion or the existence of physical or industrial infrastructures.  Thus, projects with the least dependency or prerequisites shall have the highest priority.

Modernism criteria:

The current condition of Afghanistan is such that many sources are eager in entering the market for dumping their obsolete or soon to be obsolete products, technologies and services.  Others may seek to establish a foot step at any price for future gains.    It is essential to have a long term vision in making the selections. Element of futurism and the state of the art must be given high marks in the decision making process.

Self-reliance criteria:

Perhaps the most critical factor in selecting a technology or a system is the issue of self-reliance in control and management.  Specific attention must be given to the availability or the training of Afghan managers in all projects.  The Afghan Expatriates can play a vital role in this regard.   

ICT Criteria:

The industrialized world has transformed into the information societies during the recent years.  The digital gap has become the new obstacle of the development process in the less developed countries.  Afghanistan is at a cross point where a direct transition from a traditional society to an information society might be possible.  Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may help the country to move into the new age without going through the traditional industrialization process.

E-Learning criteria:

Transition from traditional society to the industrial society required a massive public education program.  Accordingly, a worldwide effort was made to reduce the "illiteracy" rate in recent decades.  In the information society, however, it is the "E-Literacy" rate that determines the stage of development.  With the advent of E-Government, E-Banking, E-Trading, and E-Learning, any society working with the traditional methods will be left behind.  Afghanistan is now in the unique position to jump into the future without going through the pains of crude industrialization.

National Identity criteria:

No matter how impressive the new technologies might be, and no matter how urgent the current issues are, the question of national identity still remains as the most determining factor in the planning and decision makes processes.  The cultural heritage, believes, the language, traditions and so on… will be the most vital elements in the reconstruction efforts of Afghanistan.  No project, no system and no technology will be able to help the country in the long run if they are not fully compatible with these elements.

Why Open University?

Considering the above factors, an Open University system might, in fact, be the only project that meets all of the prerequisites at the present time.  The highly skilful population of Afghan Expatriates throughout the world, especially in North America and Western Europe, posses the necessary capabilities of fulfilling most of the requirements of an Open University.  The highly educated and experienced expatriates are in fact the most valuable source of wealth for the country. However, this treasure can best serve the present and future needs of Afghanistan by staying where they are.  The physical transfer of these valuable forces will result in loosing the "knowledge base."  The intermediate level forces may serve better by returning to the country.  The participation of the most advanced would best be achieved through distance work or "Virtual Participation."  The Open University system, thus, would heavily depend on "E-Learning" technology and, in a sense, will be a "Virtual University." Cyber communication and internet based technologies will constitute the form the core of this system.  

Iranian Experience:

The recent experience of Iranians in open and distance learning may provide a good model worthy of study.  The mega universities of Iran such as the Azad Islamic University with nearly one million student body and Payam-e Nour University with about   600,000 students are moving towards Cyber Technology. In addition, there is a National Virtual University Project currently under development. The Iranian Expatriates of North America, Europe and Australia have also organized an "E-Learning Consortium" and have established "International University of Iran."  This university is collaborating with the National Virtual University Project in Iran and is accredited by the Ministry of Science, Research and Information Technology as “Farabi Institute of Higher Education.”  The Institute is a non-profit private virtual entity and although it has a physical center in Tabriz, primarily depends on the cyber communications aiming at attracting the Iranian Expatriate specialists and academics. The prevailing technology has been modified to meet the domestic needs.  Platforms and contents have been converted into bilingual Farsi and English virtual environment.  The collaboration of Iran-Afghan Expatriates Experts and academics may also prove be very useful potential for the realization of open online university.  

Farabi University of Afghanistan (FUA) – the Mission:

• The mission of FUA is to provide a platform for the participation of expatriate experts and academics in the transition of Afghanistan into the Information Society through E-Learning. The implicit assumption in this mission is:
• To make knowledge and information accessible anywhere, anytime and to anyone throughout Afghanistan. 
•  To provide a framework for the fast, efficient and massive training of Afghan population essential for the sustainable development of Afghanistan.
•  To provide grounds for attracting, mobilizing and preparing the Afghan Expatriates for active participation in the development process of Afghanistan.
•  To provide an environment for the modernization of governmental organizations and institutions of public management.

Short Term Concentrations:

The short term programs of FUA will be concentrated around the immediate needs of the country in the fields of higher education and the transfer of information and communication technology. Technical and teachers training will be the top priority. Training of managerial level public personnel for governmental and municipality organizations will be included.

 Long Term Concentrations:

The long term programs will be tailored around the Long Term Socio-Economic and Physical Plans of Afghanistan.  Conscious efforts will be made to avoid duplication of the existing or traditional approaches.  The FUA programs are envisioned to be complementary rather than competitive with the classical university system.  Emphasis will be given to the macro areas such as: Macro Economics, Regional Development Planning, National Strategic Planning, Public Policy and Management, Middle East Studies, International Relations and so on. Specific advanced and the state of the arts disciplines will also be included. Some of these are: Information and Communication Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and alike. Classic disciplines that are not offered through other the university systems will be included.

Instructional Structure:

The proposed Farabi University of Afghanistan is envisioned to be a dual mode distance learning system. It will include both the traditional correspondence as well as the modern information and communication element.  However, due to the lack of adequate infrastructure and skilled human resources in the country, it will primarily depend on the wireless web-based and satellite technologies.  Thus, E-Learning system will form the core of this institute. This approach has several advantages:

• The system can be put in place within a few months with relatively little investment. 
• The system will be accessible to the most remote areas without requiring advanced transportation or other physical infrastructures.
• The Afghan Expatriate Specialists will be able to participate in the learning process and the transfer of knowledge and technology without the necessarily of physically leaving their present places of residence.
• The Afghan Youth Refugees in Iran and Pakistan can easily participate in the training programs for preparation of returning to Afghanistan.  Numerous Afghan high school graduates and university students in Iran can undergo teachers and technical training programs for preparing them to return and perform productive duties in Afghanistan.
• Outside sources will be able to support and/or participate in this program without the need for their physical presence in Afghanistan.. 
• Transfer and development of information and communication technology will be made possible through the networks involved in the virtual university system.

 Proposed Organizational Structure of FUA:

Farabi University of Afghanistan (FUA) is proposed to be a fully private and not for profit organization.  The organizational structure of FUA will be as follows: 

Board of Trustees of FUA:

The Board of Trustees is the highest policy making body of FUA.  The Board is composed of 12 members as follows.

Four members from the governmental organizations: Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Kabul University, Ministry of Telecommunication.

Four members from independent organizations. Members shall be scientists, scholars, researchers, academics or professionals with substantial knowledge and experience in the fields of higher education, distance learning, E-Learning, educational planning, or related areas fluent in English and Farsi.  The composition of the Board of Trustees is as follows: 

Four members from international organizations. Organization shall be solely involved in Distance and E-Learning with experience relevant to the needs of Afghanistan.  Member shall have the qualifications as defined above.

Executive Board of FUA:

The executive Board is the highest planning and management body of FUA. It consists of seven members appointed by the Board of Trustees for the period of four years.  All members shall have the qualifications as defined for Board of Trustees members from independent organizations.

Chancellor of FUA:

The Chancellor of the University is the highest executive decision making authority of FUA appointed by the Board of Trustees for the period of four years.

Directors of Departments and Centers:

Directors of Departments and Centers are the highest decision making authorities of Departments and Centers appointed by the Executive Board and approved by the Chancellor for a period of two years.

Start up plan:

1- Formation of the Founding Council composed of 15 prominent experts and academics.
2- Appointment of Executive Council composed of 5 experts.
3- Appointment of an "Interim Director" of the Open University Project
4-Presentation of the Proposal to Ministry of Higher Education.
5- Establishment of FUA Secretariat Office.
6- Meeting with the Minister of Higher Education, Education, Telecommunications,   
    Kabul University and International Agencies.
7- Selection of the Board of Trustees and official appointment by the Minister of Higher
    Education for the period of four years.
8- Appointment of the "Chancellor" – nominated by the Board of Trustees and appointed
   by the Minister of Higher Education for four years.
9- Nomination of Executive Board by the Chancellor.
10- Approval of the Executive Board by the Board of Trustees and official appointment
   of  Executive Board members by the Chancellor for four years.
11- Preparation of plan and budget by the Executive Board.
12- Establishment of FUA headquarters in Afghanistan.
13- Selection of International Centers:
United States as a major place of Afghan Expatriates Experts, Iran and Pakistan as the major center of skilled and semi-skilled Afghans are the prime regional locations for the implementation of the FUA Project.  Washington, DC, Loa Angeles, Tehran and Karachi constitute the key overseas centers for the implementation of FUA Project.
13- Choosing the International Partner:

International University of Iran (IUI) has gained substantial experience in the field of e-learning during the last five years. IUI welcomes the opportunity to participate in FUA Project by establishing independent or joint centers in Tehran, Washington and Kabul for the purpose of providing online educational and training programs for the Afghan population both within and outside of Afghanistan. In addition, bilingual portals, contents and online communication technologies and managerial skills will be made available to the project. Farabi Institute of Higher Education in Iran can play a major role as partner of Farabi Institute in Afghanistan. In due course, Farbabi Institute can have similar counterparts in Tajikistan and other Central Asian countries and, hopefully, in the future they form a regional online university system.  

For more information please contact:
Ali R. Rabi
International University of Iran  www.iui.ac.ir

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571-224-3423

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