AUAF, a platform for the future

Dr. Shukria Hassan, 65 years old, has embarked on an AUAF education to aid her in accomplishing her future goal: improving public health in Afghanistan.

Already a physician, she believes she can have a bigger impact as an administrator. "I like to help prevent diseases rather than treating them." Despite her position in the Afghan society as a female member, she sees no limit on how much she can do.

"I want to work for the government and help my nation at a country level." She worries that the level of awareness about general health care amongst the society is low and of concern.

Her opinion carries weight: Dr. Shukria Hassan has worked with several health programs since graduating from Kabul Medical University in 1988. The most recent ones are National Tuberculosis Control Program and the Agha Khan Health Service.

By attending AUAF, Dr. Shukria has already started moving toward the objective.

She is a student at Foundation Studies Program (FSP). This AUAF program prepares students for the challenging expectations of university degree programs, and also develops the high-level English language skills necessary to take on major employment positions in Afghanistan or abroad.

Speaking of her plan, Shukria says: "I want to graduate from AUAF with a degree in Business Administration." At an age, where many prioritize continuation of education as the least important, Shukria seems adamant in her determination to achieve her goals.

She adds, "To get into AUAF undergraduate courses, I need to have good English [skills]."

FSP classes, where she is improving her English, began in January and since then, she has been progressing well. "Her English is good and she is very active," says her classmate, Rahmatullah. 

Asking Dr. Shukria about the AUAF experience from her own point of view, she pointed out the library as "my favorite spot" and classes as "interesting."

"However," she continues while still smiling, "I’d like to drink coffee and I think many others do as well, but it is not currently served on campus."