Kabul University

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The Kabul University is located in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. It was founded in 1931 but officially opened for classes in 1932. Kabul University is currently attended by approximately 7,000 students, of which 1,700 are females. The university is still recovering from the long period of war and chaos in the country. The main building was rebuilt about 500 meters from the old one, which has almost the same design.

Kabul University consists of 14 faculties in fields of Agriculture, Economics, Pharmacy, Islamic Studies, Law, Language and Literature, Science, Engineering, Journalism, Veterinary medicine, Social Science, Psychology, Geoscience and Fine Arts.

[edit] Name

The highest ranking Muslim and Afghan in American politics, Zalmay Khalilzad, visits the new language school in Kabul University

There is some debate on the name of the university. Officially, the university is known by the Pashto name Da Kābul Pohantūn (دکابل پوهنتون). Recently, it has been suggested to use three different official names in Pashto, Persian (دانشگاه کابل - Dāneshgāh-e Kābul), and English (University of Kabul); most of all, because Persian-speaking students feel discriminated by the governmental ban^[1][2] of the Persian word for university. This lead to a clash between students and the police in November 2008, as mostly Persian-speaking students demanded to lift the ban on Persian words.^[3]

Previously, the Minister of Culture, Information, Tourism and Youth Affairs, Karim Khoram, had officially banned the use of Persian expressions in government institutions and in state-controlled media,^[2] and a young journalist for a state newspaper was fined for using the Persian word for university in a report.^[1]

A similar clash took place a few weeks earlier in the mostly Persian-speaking city of Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan.^[4] As a result, the university's name was officially changed from Pashto (Pohantūn-e Balkh) to Persian (Dāneshgāh-e Balkh).^[5]

[edit] History

One of the computer labs on the university's campus. Internet usage is increasing in Kabul

Kabul University was established in 1931 during the reign of Mohammad Zahir Shah and then Prime Minister Mohammad Hashim Khan, opening its doors one year later to students from across the country. Having benefited from partnerships with the governments of France, Germany, Russia, and the United States the university became one of the finest institutions of its kind in Asia, the intellectual heart of the country.^[6]

In the 1960s foreign-educated scholars populated the campus, exposing the new generation to new topics such as communism, feminism and capitalism. Students influenced during this era included Ahmad Shah Massoud, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Dr. Faiz Ahmad, and Saydal Sokhandan.

Many different political groups were influenced in the University such as Khaliqis, Parchamis, Sholayees, Ikhwanies, and etc.

In a clash between Ikhwanies and Sholayees, a poet named Saydal Sokhandan was killed by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in the 1970s. Saydal was fired upon and shot by Gulbuddin during an argument.^[7]

During the rule of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), Kabul University lost several lecturers and staff. The majority of the university's faculty left during the 10 year period of unrest or civil war that followed after the fall of the PDPA government in 1992.

[edit] Rebuilding

Female students at Kabul University.

It is estimated that the university will need $64 million US dollars to function again on a basic level. In January 2004, the campus boasted only 24 computers and one stethoscope. As part of its recovery program, Kabul University has established partnerships with four foreign universities, including Purdue.

In 2007, Iran donated USD 800,000 to Kabul University's dentistry faculty. Iran has also donated 25,000 books to Kabul University.^[8] At present, the main library of Kabul University is the best-equipped library in Afghanistan.^[9] The library is equipped with many computers, books and magazines mostly donated by Iran.^[10]

[edit] Structure

Kabul University is being rebuilt with infusions of money from foreign countries that are expected to rise under the Obama presidency

• The faculty of Law and political science has two departments: Law and Management(Political Science).

• The faculty of science of Kabul University has five departments: Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics .

• The Faculty of Engineering has four departments: Architecture, Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering. An estimated 600 students are taking classes there.

• The Faculty of Pharmacy in Kabul University has five departments: Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutics and Biochemistry and Food Analysis. It has seven functioning laboratories and recently the new curriculum of this faculty has been approved and is being implemented. An estimated 400 students are taking classes there.

• The Faculty of Agriculture of Kabul University has six departments: Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Forestry and Natural Resources, Horticulture, and Plant Protection.

• The Faculty of Veterinary Science of Kabul University has five departments: Paraclinic, Preclinic, Clinic, Animal Husbandry, and Food Hygiene.
• The Faculty of Journalism of Kabul University has two departments: Radio & Television and Printing Press.

[edit] Notable lecturers and alumni

• Shukria Barakzai, journalist, women's rights campaigner, politician
• Abdul Hay Habibi (Professor)
• Mawlana Faizani (Philosopher and reformer)
• Tahir Hashimi (Professor)
• Saeed Nafisi (Professor)
• Wadeer Safi (Professor)

[edit] See also

• List of universities in Afghanistan

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kabul University

• Official website of Kabul University
• Partnership with Kansas State University

Coordinates: 34°31′4″N 69°7′41″E / 34.51778°N 69.12806°E / 34.51778; 69.12806