Higher education
18 Nov 2010
On this page
- Short description of the higher education system
- Types of degrees
- Quality assurance and accreditation
- Recent reforms
Short description of the higher education system
Higher education in Afghanistan is provided by six universities (including a University of Islamic Studies), one Agricultural Institute, one Polytechnic, one State Medical Institute, 16 agricultural colleges and several teacher training colleges.
Due to 30 years of war (between 1970 and 2000), the higher education and research system was almost completely destroyed. Afghan higher education is characterized by outdated curricula, underqualified faculties, a lack of proper classrooms and laboratories, under-resourced libraries and a lack of good quality information technology. The development of a coordinated system of higher education institutions that will provide a new generation of professionals and leaders for the country in all socio-economic areas is central to the reconstruction of the country.
Types of degrees
The first stage of university education leads to a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s programmes in the fields of the arts, education, social science, science and agriculture take four years,. Programmes in the fields of engineering and veterinary medicine take five years and those in medicine seven years (including one year of pre-medical training and a one-year internship).
The second (postgraduate) stage of university education leads to a master’s degree, requiring two years of study following the bachelor's degree (three to four years for medical programmes). Candidates for postgraduate studies must pass an entrance examination and have obtained very high grades during their bachelor’s study.
The third stage of university education leads to a doctorate (Doctori) degree. Doctorate programmes take three years of study following the master’s degree and are offered in the fields of architecture, the arts, engineering, natural sciences and social sciences.
Quality assurance and accreditation
Afghanistan has little to no experience with implementing quality assurance systems for higher education. Due to the devastation caused by 30 years of conflict, the immediate needs of the higher education sector are to rebuild and to lay a foundation for a long-term development process in the sector.
Recent reforms
Over the past decade, the Afghan government has opened at least 19 higher education institutions, and enrolment has increased nearly ten-fold between 2001 and 2007. Rebuilding higher education is a critical need for the country since there continues to be a large shortage of professionals such as engineers, technicians, administrators, agriculturists and business leaders to reconstruct the country.
As set out in its higher education strategic plan 2010-2014, the Afghan Ministry of Education aims to build a high quality higher education system that is responsive to the country’s development needs. The creation of a US$ 25 million agricultural university in the next two years by the Indian government is one of the first steps in implementing the plan. Future reforms are likely to focus on improving the physical facilities at higher education institutions, the quality of curricula and staff, the development of a quality assurance system, the economic relevance of higher education, and strengthening institutional governance.
