A Long Service and a Long Road Ahead
Like a Janus, Professor Judith Schiffbauer’s perspective on Afghanistan stretches in two directions: future and past. She is a professor whose daily work - teaching promising students - looks towards the future, but she also draws on her firsthand knowledge of the Afghanistan that existed over thirty years ago to better inform her teaching.
The Janus, a carved head used in ancient Roman households, looks two ways, symbolizing transition. Prof Schiffbauer’s enthusiasm for the future and knowledge of the past are invaluable in encouraging students to carve out a bright future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Professor Schiffbauer has invested 21 years of her life in her education and so far has dedicated 17 years of her career to educating others in places ranging from Baghlan Agricultural High School to the University of Kentucky and the American University of Afghanistan. She says, "I have always loved being in school, both as a student and later as a teacher."
Talking about AUAF, she describes her image of the University: "AUAF is an ambitious and visionary attempt to provide an American standard education to Afghan men and women."
These men and women, many of whom are currently members of civil society organizations, the Afghanistan government, or active in other fields such as business, enjoy what they are offered at Judith’s classes. "Although most of my students have full-time occupations during the day, they are active and attentive in class. They are eager to learn, and greatly appreciate their teachers. Sessions usually end with students saying ‘Thank you, Professor.’"
Before joining AUAF, Prof. Schiffbauer worked with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on its largest healthcare project in Afghanistan: Rural Expansion of Afghanistan’s Community-based Healthcare (REACH). "I am proud to have been part of that USAID project, which was very successful." The project trained more than 6,000 community health workers and over 1,000 midwives; literacy courses were provided for more than 8,000 women in rural areas.
However, the accomplishment she is "most proud of" took place in the Afghan province of Baghlan, back in 1966, when Judith was 21 years old and in Afghanistan for the first time. "I came to Afghanistan as a Peace Corps volunteer and taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at Baghlan Agricultural High School." While there, she trained some of her most high-achieving students.
Prof. Schiffbauer believes "a teacher’s job is to open doors in mind and to opportunities in the world." With a smile, she continues: "My best student in Baghlan now holds a PhD degree and is a US citizen." One former student of hers has served in Afghanistan’s cabinet and others are presently managers, engineers and deputy ministers."
