AUAF Doubles Core Enrollment

Hasebullah Zair, 19, recently enrolled in AUAF's High School English Program.

AUAF doubled its core enrollment in January 2008, admitting over 170 students to its Undergraduate and Foundation Studies programs. The increase indicates that AUAF is increasingly seen as one of the most viable options for higher education in Afghanistan.

In just two years, student enrollment in the "core" programs – Undergraduate and Foundation Studies - has grown to ten times the size of AUAF’s first class. "In 2006, we only had two professors and approximately thirty students," says Rebecca Carter, Director of Admissions and Registration at AUAF. "Now we have about ten professors in the Undergraduate Program alone, and over 125 students."

The largest program at AUAF is the Foundation Studies Program, which provides students with the skills they require to be successful in an English-language undergraduate course of study. The Foundation Studies Program attracted about 100 new students this semester. An additional 40 students are enrolled in AUAF’s newly-launched High School English Program, which provides English-language training to high school students in the Kabul area.

"I believe our students are good word-spreaders. They tell their friends and co-workers about AUAF because our programs are what people are looking for," said Ms. Carter.

Additional financial aid has been introduced for those who are looking for an AUAF education but require support to enroll. "If you’re qualified and hardworking, AUAF will help you pay for it," says Wali, a freshman at AUAF. From Jawzjan province, Wali received a full scholarship to study at AUAF this year.  AUAF uses an individualized system of determining financial aid for applicants, considering academic achievement and financial need as major factors. 

Students benefit from world quality professors. AUAF’s qualified faculty members have come from countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, to provide the backbone of AUAF’s programs. According to AUAF’s Admissions Office, most newcomers cite the new perspectives and the teaching methods used by AUAF professors as the reason they apply for admission.

"I saw an opportunity to bring my experience at US universities to bright, hardworking students who deserve a quality education," says Dr. Joseph Preville, who has spent time at both Yale University and Harvard University in the US. A new arrival, Dr. Preville teaches social sciences at AUAF.

Because the number of students who enrolled this semester was greater than expected, AUAF is struggling to keep up with demand. "We need more faculty members," says Ms. Carter. At this stage, AUAF professors have a large workload, consisting of busy days with a large number of students in their different classes.

The University has started a consistent worldwide search for qualified scholars to support student’s academic needs.