Spring 2008 Semester Kicks Off

The Spring 2008 semester at AUAF kicked off with a welcome program directed at new and returning students.

Ali Babur, 21, is enrolled as an undergraduate student. He recently returned to Afghanistan from living in the United States. "I’m anxious to start studying," he said during orientation. "And excited to be home after so long."

Wali Akhtari, 20, from Samargan province said "I’m looking forward to studying here, at a newly-established university."

The growing number of students enrolling from across Afghanistan and internationally suggests that AUAF is increasingly perceived as a permanent and valuable fixture on the higher education landscape in Afghanistan.

"Word of mouth is getting out," opined Ms. Rebecca Carter, Director of Admissions and Registration at AUAF. "We’ve been open for more than one year and people are beginning to see that we’re here to stay."

"As well as new students we’ve had a number of students transfer from other local institutions who see AUAF as a more viable degree-granting institution."

Students from outside Kabul are eligible to stay in AUAF accommodations. AUAF has recently renovated guesthouses in the Karte Se area of Kabul for its out-of-town students. Student and staff housing are high on the agenda for construction projects already being undertaken on AUAF’s new campus.

The beginning of the Spring 2008 semester witnessed the launch of the new High School English Program with approximately 50 new students. The High School English Program is designed to provide high-quality English-language instruction to Afghan high school students.

In addition to new students, AUAF also welcomed three new faculty and instructors, who will support AUAF in expending its course offerings. This semester there will be 23 courses offered in a variety of disciplines.

The launch of the new semester was not without problems: after -20 degree Celsius temperatures, a minor earthquake, and ongoing construction on campus, electricity in the building scheduled to host student orientation was not functional the morning of the first day. After some scrambling, heat was back on in time for orientation sessions to proceed.