Introduction: Nangarhar University is leaving behind the very difficult and harsh days of war and instability marked by a substantially diminished number of qualified faculty, an outdated curriculum, and old-fashioned lecture notes. During the last three years, it has begun to advance a new vision of academic excellence and set forth strategic initiatives and guidelines for action to achieve its goals. These changes are the result of new leadership and major collective efforts to resolve some of our major problems, identify, opportunities, and seek resources to revitalize and redefine the university. The strategic plan that follows builds on this base created during the last three years. The University has gained financial support from (SHEP), ARTF, Rotary Club of San Diego, Fred Hansen Foundation for World Peace, Japan Women Association, UNICEF and Governor of Nangarhar, and Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) as well as academic support from USAID and some friendly countries. In summary, the University is revitalizing and moving forward in a positive direction, confident of a bright future.
Approach And Methods Of The Strategic Planning Process Along with the initiation of (SHEP), Nangarhar University began to organize a strategic planning committee, consisting of 5 experienced and dedicated faculties, chaired by the chancellor. The committee sought additional members from stakeholders, the community, and student body.
The University is recognized as a respected institution in the community and the committee has exchanged ideas with its leaders. The leadership of the University is active in the formal and informal functions in Jalalabad City, in part to encourage the city to incorporate the university in its own vision and to build close link between the university and the community. The chancellor of the university is an active member of the Provincial Administrative Council which discusses matters in Nangarhar Province, including the university, once a week. It also holds meeting with several international organizations, soliciting their contribution in rehabilitation of the university. The construction of Veterinary College building and a dining room for College of Medicine by the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), a guest house, and an International Learning Center and a female Dorm to accommodate 100 students are examples of the results of such contacts. In the regional and local level, the university has frequently received material support from the governor office.
Vision Nangarhar University aspires to become academically well organized and well-functioning world Class University, committed to educating students without discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity, language, religion, region, and nationality.
Mission The University of Nangarhar or Nangarhar University (NU) as an educational institution is committed to training highly qualified graduates for society, including the government and private sector, and to providing outstanding and up to date education by accredited and qualified professors.
NU is determined to accept, educate, and train qualified high school graduates from all over Afghanistan. The university is eager to attract foreign students as well if they meet the conditions set up by the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. In sum, the University is committed to building a modern Afghanistan.
Goals The goals of Nangarhar University are:
? To enhance and improve the quality of Education in order to provide all students with an enriched and challenging educational experience
? To build up a solid infrastructure for the university including adequate building with modern facilities
? To systematically integrate the use of technology into instructional program, so that all faculty and students can fully exploit new technology as an essential tool in teaching and learning
? To encourage and support diversity, mainly gender equity amongst students and staff.
Swot Analysis .
Strengths Of The University ? Nangarhar University is located in Jalalabad and Jalalabad is the center of businesses of the Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, and Nooristan provinces. It is easily accessible for the people of these provinces. Therefore, the potential for employment of University graduates in these provinces is high.
? It has the second highest performance on the entrance exam after Kabul University As a result; we are able to attract more talented students than most other universities.
? The University has dedicated 296 faculty members committed to change.
? It has a tremendous potential for transformation.
? Over 30 junior lecturers have been sent to various countries for graduate degree, of which, some have returned after obtaining Master degree.
Weakness Of The University As a consequence of years of war and neglect, the physical infrastructure of the
university has been severely damaged. Therefore:
? Other than Veterinary Sciences, none of the colleges has suitable buildings for offices and classes. The colleges are housed in one story buildings, poorly constructed after the civil war as temporary solution to the shortage of space. In many instances, several faculty members share one office. Classrooms are small, dark, and without proper ventilation. There is no provision for audio-visual equipment in class rooms and there are no sound systems.
? Academically, the majority of the faculty had no opportunity to continue their education to obtain higher degrees: over 50% of them have bachelor degrees only; of the remaining faculty, about 40% have Master degrees from USSR; few have PhDs.
? Curricula and teaching materials are outdated.
? The library lacks recent journals and reference books.
? The majority of the lecturers do not know English.
? The availability and use of computers, particularly knowledge and use of IT is very limited and its potential is not realized.
? The proportion of female students is very small.
Opportunities ? Recently, the Ministry of Higher Education with the collaboration of World Bank, has undertaken the tertiary education rehabilitation project, entitled Strengthening Higher Education Project (SHEP). The project includes Nangarhar University, providing an opportunity for Nangarhar University to strive to achieve its goals.
? Nangarhar University is awarded $ 10 million by the World Bank under ARTF of which $ 1 Million will be spent on capacity building and the remaining on infrastructure, namely Construction of Law and Sharia colleges, auditorium, administration building, boundary wall, and developing a master plan.
? The Ministry of Higher Education is expected to award a fair share to Nangarhar University from the Ministry budget for its development projects each year.
? Jalalabad City is a focus point for businesses in four provinces of the eastern zone and therefore provides opportunities to collaborate with businesses.
? The local government has cooperated in a variety of ways to assist the University with its rehabilitation and remains very supportive.
? A strong and cooperative relationship has been established among various international organizations and the University. Currently, the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), USAID, USDA, UNDP, UNAMA, UNICEF, La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club of San Diego, USA and a few more organizations have extended their assistance to the university.
Threats ? Under the existing rules, the university leadership does not have the authority to make major policy decision for the university; neither can it hire or fire employees. Many unproductive faculty members have occupied slots for years and thus prevented the hiring of talented lecturers.
? The Ministry of Higher Education has chronically been under funded. As a result, Nangarhar University, like all other universities in Afghanistan, has suffered from operational and developmental budgets that are far short of minimal needs. Any shortfall beyond the initial allocations results in budget cuts that further affect the activities of the University.
? The dependency of the university on foreign aid for development is worrying, since its long term sustainability is in question and some promised foreign assistance has not materialized.
? Given the encouraging growth in the number of high school graduates in Afghanistan, the pressure for increased access to the universities is inevitable. Government has not made provisions for such growth and as a consequence universities are going to face pressure to increase enrollment beyond their capacity at the expense of quality.
Conclusion To Swot Analysis ? Summary Of The Current State Of The University Nangarhar University, recognized one of the best in the nation, was devastated by civil war. It was abandoned once during the Soviet occupation; faculty and students were housed in Kabul University for months. The situation got worst when the Taliban took power. The female faculty and students were barred from campus and the male students had a lot of restriction on their academic activities. Although the situation changed when Taliban government collapsed in 2001, the university leadership remained weak. Elections for choosing a chancellor divided the faculty into competing and hostile groups and thus a struggle for power in the university replaced the desire for academic excellence. The elected chancellor realized his inability to efficiently work in such a tense environment, and therefore resigned, leaving his faculty position as well. The leadership was transferred to series of acting chancellors one after the other and the university run on day to day basis only. Political meetings and discussion replaced the academic environment, student unrest, demonstrations and violence, made up the life on campus. Gradually the infrastructure of the university deteriorated, broken building and inadequate sanitation threaten the life of students. The morale of the faculty also suffered along with teaching and learning, research, and service.
After a leadership change in July, 2005, the university has begun the process of rehabilitation faster than expected. The Vice Chancellors for academic affairs and administration, deans of Veterinary, Education and Economics colleges were replaced, the student association was established, animosity among faculty has been diminished, and faculty with diverse social and political backgrounds are participating in several newly formed committees which handle university affairs. Faculty, students, community, stakeholders, government, and international organization support Nangarhar University.
In order to achieve the goals, set up above, the following strategies have been developed for each goal:
Goal I .
Enhance And Improve The Quality Of Education In Order To Provide All Students With An Enriched And Challenging Educational Experience .
Objectives Goal 1 .
1. qualified Instructors And Teaching Staff Development ? Attract and recruit professional Afghans working with international organizations and other institution
? Provide MA and PhD opportunities for young professors through partnerships with Higher Educational institutions abroad and bilateral relations of the MOHE
? Provide internal training opportunities for academic staff to identify needs for upgrading
? Retain faculty members of higher caliber
2. capacity Building For Faculty And Staff To Provide Quality Educational Services ? Coach and guide the deans and heads of the departments to design improved academic management strategies and procedures
? Provide training for academic managers to have quality relevance of their programs in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
? Train administrative managers and equip them with skills that allow them to design improved administrative management strategies and procedures that will increase decentralized decision making and related accountability procedures.
? Encourage and support diversity among faculty, staff, and students
? Provide instructional skills.
? Train academic staff in implementation and follow up of Institutional development plan or Strategic Plan
? Provide distance Education support for enhancing quality education
? Facilitate English language training to faculty members
3. standard And Pertinent Curricula In Education Program ? Partner with world universities for revision of the curricula according to the need
? Train academic teaching staff in modern pedagogical approaches and focusing principally on skills that leads to more students centered learning approach.
? Prepare staff to accept revised curriculums and elements of desired changes
? Evaluate students? performance.
Goal Ii
Build up a solid infrastructure for the university including adequate buildings with modern facilities
Objectives Goal Ii .
1. Provide And Construct Standard Buildings For Various Colleges ? Construct a building for Sharia College having all the facilities
? Construct a building for Law and Political Science College
? Construct a building for literature and Languages College
? Construct auditorium building
? Construct NU Administration Building
? Construct NU boundary wall
? Construct an auditorium with capacity of 800 persons
2. provide Furniture And Equipments For The Buildings And Libraries .
3. supply Office Automation To Support Teaching Process .
Goal Iii Systematically integrate the use of technology into instructional program, so that all faculty and students can fully exploit new technology as an essential tool in teaching and learning
Objective Goal Iii .
1. establish, Expand, And Maintain A Capable It Infrastructure .
Strategies: ? Solicit internal and international funding for infrastructure development
? Set up of Computer Centers in all colleges of the university
? Provide training opportunities for faculty, students, and management team
? Work on coherent strategies for the IT system with other Higher
Education institution in the country
? Utilize laptop computers and projectors in the teaching learning process
2. using Effectively Existing It Systems .
Strategies: ? Set specific rules and procedures for IT utilizations
? Let lecturers, students, and employees to have access to the IT
? Integrate use of IT in the teaching process
? provide ? Train the Trainers? training opportunities
Goal Iv To encourage and support diversity, mainly gender equity amongst students and staff.
Objective Goal Iv: 1. Gender equity amongst students and staff
Strategies: ? Encourage female high school graduates of eastern zone to take the university entrance exam
? Arrange on the campus accommodation for the female students
? Provide opportunity and security to female students to participate in the on campus activities
Plan Of Action .
College Of Engineering ? Nangarhar University signed a 30 months partnership with San Diego State University for Civil and Environmental Engineering program, the deliverables of the partnership are:
1. Acceptance of 8 Engineering Professors for MS studies into the Engineering program, of SDSU
2. Providing short term intensive training opportunities for 10 Engineering faculty members during summer institutes in SDSU
3. providing Academic Training opportunity for Academic manager of Engineering college
4. Revising and updating the curriculum in accordance with the new knowledge and technology
Achievements Under Shep
? provided laboratory Equipments to Engineering College with a total cost of $ $ 150,421, to be installed in the new building
? Supplied 10 Laptops and 10 projectors with a total fund of
$ 29,090
? Refurbished the existing building of the Engineering College, while its extension construction is in progress, costing US$ 590,535.
? 3000 student Chairs have been provided with a total cost of
$ 33,000 funded
? Provided Internet connection to the 10 station computer center in Engineering College with a sum of $ 16,911
? Recruited contract instructors for teaching in Computer Science department with a total sum of $ 24,920
? Supplied 50 Desktop computers with all accessories for teaching Computer Based Design course of the revised curriculum plus 30 desktops for ETT with a total value of $ 95,432
Plan For Engineering College ? Place A small professional library in the new building
? Provide furniture for the new Engineering building
? Advance to office automation
? Institute capacity building programs through NU/SDSU Engineering partnership
The English Department In The Literature And Languages College .
Achievement Under Previous Strategic Plan 1. Signed NU/SDSU a 36 months English Program partnership contract under SHEP with a total value of $ 2,000,000 funded.
2. Revised English curriculum is being implemented in first and second years.
3. E coaching persists on a continuous basis between NU and SDSU
4. Provided Training opportunity for English Department Faculty members in SDSU
5. Supplied text books for the 1st and 2nd year students with total value of
$ 125,869
6. Provided classroom equipments for the English program with a total cost of $7120.
Additional Related Achievements ? Completed the construction of International learning center and Guest House and furnished them with a total cost of $ 145,000 funded by the LJGT Rotary Club of San Diego, USA.
? Supplied 50 Laptop computers to ILC for the purpose of Distance learning and e coaching with a total value of $ 88,525.
? Provided Dedicated Bandwidth to ILC for 6 months with a cost of
$ 29,120
? Bought a heavy duty copier and printer to ILC with a total cost of $ 3500
? Provided 30 Desktop computers for the English Through Technology (ETT) of English Program with a total value of $ 95,432 funded by SHEP/WB
Plans For Future 1. Summer Institute 2009 in SDSU is in the planning phases as an effort for faculty members capacity building
2. Continue English Program partnership extension till the first cohort get graduated, meaning additional two years.
3. Construct English and Hindi Languages Departments building and provide furniture with an estimated cost of $ 1,000,000 pledged by the Government of India
4. Provide books, furniture, and book shelve for the library
5. provide internet connection for the library
6. Provide books for senior and junior classes of the English program
The Renovation Of The University Of Electric System .
Achievement Under Previous Plan Period .
Electrical System The NU electricity system is renovated with a total cost of $ 78,882 Funded by SHEP/WB.
Animal Clinic An animal clinic for Veterinary Sciences College is constructed; costing around US$55000 is funded by Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).
Veterinary Science College Building A two floor modern building with financial assistance of over $250,000 of Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) for veterinary science college is constructed and is being used.
The Colleges Of Shari?a And Law And Political Science Plans for Future
Construct and furnish colleges of Sharia and Law, each with a cost of $ 1,600,000 through ARTF
The College Of Education USAID has awarded $40,000,000 to promote quality of education in colleges of education in the country. The Education College of Nangarhar University is, therefore, assisted by this project. Accordingly, six faculties from Nangarhar University?s education college have completed intensive 13 weeks English course at American University in Kabul. Additionally, two faculty members were awarded scholarship for graduate study in USA; they are back after obtaining master degree.
.Through the same project with a cost of US$1,000,000, a building with modern class rooms will be constructed in the College of Education premise.
Nu Administration Building 1. A building to accommodate relevant administrative staff of the university will be constructed and furnished with a total cost of $ 800,000 from SHEP.
Nu Science Building Funded by the government of Pakistan, this three floor huge building is in the finishing touches. The cost of building reaches to US$3,000,000. Since NU has no college of science yet, it is planned to use the building for College of Agriculture. The laboratories space will be easily used for agriculture laboratories.
Dormitories The number of female students at the University is very small, only 290 females of 5700 males. The main reason for the small numbers is the lack of dormitory for women. Nangarhar Universities is a top choice for women students along with Kabul University. However, parents are generally unwilling to send their daughters to the University without properly supervised and secured housing. Fortunately, La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club has funded the construction of a female dorm to house 100 persons on the main campus in Daronta. The construction and furnishing cost reached to $ 145,000 and the $90,000 respectively.
Construction Of Auditorium Building The construction of the auditorium is in the design stage; as mention above, it will bear a price tag of $900,000
Construction Of Nu Boundary Wall With A Total Cost Of $ 1,500,000 Through Shep The design for the wall has been completed and the construction process will go forward to bidding stage for finding a contractor.
Develop A Revised Master Plan For The University Physical Build Up. .
Evaluation And Review; Review Of Implantation, And Revision Evaluation of the activities, assigned to the strategic plan, shall be performed regularly by the academic council of the university, since the council constituents represent each college. The accomplishment will be recognized and failure will be marked for correction. Also, a special committee, Executive Committee, is formed that follows up on activities promised in strategic plan of the university. The activities in the strategic plan will be assessed thoroughly once a year and those that are problematic shall be dealt with. The chancellor will assume the over all responsibility of monitoring and supervision of the strategic and financial plan working with the strategic plan executive committee and the academic council.
Financial Plan And Time Table For Implementation As mentioned above, the university physical and academicals infrastructure had deteriorated dramatically over the years as had the quality of teaching and research. Achieving our vision and goals requires that we identify priority activities. Generally, the strategic plan executive committee of the university sets priority according to the goals in the strategic plan and the urgency of the need; however, a few activities are prioritized due to the availability of funds.
In order to successfully reach to our strategic goals, a financial plan is proposed herewith for the following activities:
Improve The Knowledge Of The Faculty In Teaching, Research, And Service Improving the knowledge of the faculty requires opportunities for existing faculty to obtain Master and PhD degrees through partnership and scholarship from friendly countries; enhanced working condition, including office space, instructional equipments, and research facility via SHEP and other projects. Fortunately, the university has signed three partnerships contracts, two with a university in USA and another with a university in Germany, over the last three years. The university has been awarded 33 scholarships for graduate study by various countries and organization.
Enrolled better educationally qualified students to NU, particularly, increase the number of female students.
This activity requires improvement in the quality of education in secondary schools. NU proposes to expand programs to teach high school teachers in evening classes up to the level of bachelor degree,
The Strategic Plan Executive Committee is concerned about the low enrollment of female students and for this reason the construction of female dormitories is set as a high priority. The leadership has provided five buses that are donated by the government of Pakistan, to transport students, between Daronta and Jalalabad City free of charge. The salaries of drivers and conductors and fuel are paid by the provincial government.
Several businesses, the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and Development Alternative Incorporation (DAI) in Nangarhar Province are financing the internship service programs for students of Engineering and Agriculture Colleges. There have been occasions that these interns are employed in these businesses.
Encourage And Support Diversity UNDP had promised to fund the construction of female dormitory for 450 students. However, it was not materialized, and the university leadership, therefore, ought to explore other funding sources. Fortunately, Japan Women Association provided around US$120,000 for the construction of a dormitory to house about 100 students. The dormitory is located on the college of Education campus and is being used by female students of various colleges since the year of 2007. The La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club has provided Kitchen appliances and a computer Lab for the this dormitory
Another dormitory which will house 100 students is under construction on the main campus in Daronta, funded by La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club of San Diego. Its total construction and furnishing cost reaches to $ 235,000. The dormitory should be ready for use at the beginning of next academic year, in September of 2009.
Collaboration With Universities Abroad The partnership of the English Program continues with San Diego State University. A sum of $1.9 million from SHEP is allocated to this activity.
The Engineering College partnership costing additional $1.9 million is also signed with San Diego State University, is progressing well.
Bochum University in Germany has entered in partnership with Nangarhar University, which provides MS studies opportunities for the faculty members of Economy College of Nangarhar University.
Integration Of Computers And Information Technology Into Teaching, Administration, And Research The NU faculty gets computer training in the Computer Center by qualified computer trainers. In the meantime Internet access has been provided through the 10 station computers in the Computer Center.
The USAID has donated six computers to the Shari?a and law school with Internet connectivity and has provided a trainer to teach English Language and the use of IT to faculty of Sharia and Law colleges. Beside, foreign experts in various subjects conduct short term conferences and workshop for the faculty of the two colleges, mentioned above.
The NU/SDSU English program partnership also, provides training in the use of technology in classes to the faculty, regardless of their association to their colleges.
USAID has assisted college of veterinary by providing desks and chairs for its library, desktops and laptops computers, some microscopes, and internet connection via VSAT.
Develop A Modern Library To Include A Digital Component The Construction of Library building, financed by SHEP, has been completed, and it will assist faculty and students to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Update The Curriculum To World-class Standards Through partnerships, the English Language curriculum is revised by SDSU in consultation with Literature and Languages College. It is in its 2nd year of implementation. However, the revised curriculum of the Engineering College will be implemented in the fall semester of 2009.
The study and revision of the curriculum of Economic College is also under process and the NU is expecting to be in accordance with international standard.
Conclusions Nangarhar University is moving forward rapidly toward a modern higher education institute. The strategic plan is designed to reach and achieve the university?s vision and mission. It means that the university is determined to bring about changes that will guarantee excellence in education for all regardless of their gender, ethnicity, language, religion, region, and nationality. The university is committed to providing highly qualified graduates to society, so they will play a positive role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
The implementation of the strategic plan requires joint efforts of faculty, students, government, community, stakeholders, international organization, and individuals. The leadership of the university is confident to achieve this and is proud to announce that several of these institutes have already contributed to the rehabilitation of the university and looks forward to additional assistance. The strong backing of members of Parliament helps assure government support for Nangarhar University in the future. The students, faculty, administrators, and the community, are enthusiastically supporting this effort. The leadership is dedicated to implementing this strategic plan and is very optimistic about achieving the goals for the University.
