Speech delivered by President Pro Tempore Dr. Sharif Fayez at the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the American University of Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan
21 March 2005

In the Name of the Almighty God the Most Merciful the Most Compassionate.

Mr. President, your presence at this historical ceremony has given us honor, pride, hope and encouragement. When the first elected president of the country lays the foundation of the first private and independent university in Afghanistan, this is indeed a historic day, and, Mr. President, by opening this and many other projects, you have indeed laid the foundation of a modern and democratic Afghanistan.  And by granting this most valuable piece of land to the University, you have given a most precious gift to private higher education and to thousands of students attending this institution for generations to come. Happy New Year to you with abundance, peace and security.

The Celebrated US Ambassador and Special Envoy of President Bush, Dr. Zalmy Khalizad, Major General Brennan, Members of the Cabinet, Mr. Azizi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Afghanistan, And Distinguished Members of the Board, Professor Ishaq Naderi, Professor Salam Azimi, Mr. Ihsan Bayat, Dr. Askar Musavi, and Dr. Zaher Wahab, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Welcome to the groundbreaking ceremony for building the campus wall of the American University of Afghanistan (AUA) and renovation of a building of the old American International School by Mr. Ihsan Bayat, president of the Afghan Wireless Company. Of course, a walled University is not in the American tradition, but this is post-war Kabul: a city of walls and obstacles and climb-proof fences, roadblocks and checkpoints -- where security must come before traditions.  Hopefully Kabul is changing its face and these walls may become invisible.

Today with a generous grant from the U.S. Congress, and the strong support of Mr. Ambassador and USAID team, what was once my dream in January 2002 when I accompanied President Karzai to Washington, where I discussed the idea of establishing an American University in Afghanistan with a number of US university presidents, has come very close to be realized.  Later during a second visit, I found in the person of Dr. Khalizad a strong ally in the realization of the dream.  Mr. Ambassador, without your moral, intellectual and administrative support, the dream would have remained a dream, at least for a long time.  Mr. Ambassador, your love and dedication to this magnificent project should always be remembered and celebrated.  You are certainly the co-founder of this institution.

At this time, the only donor for the university is USAID, which will fund initial start-up and operating costs and some construction.  I wish to thank USAID Director Dr. Patrick Fine, Dr. Jim McCloud, Dr. Peggy Poling (now vice-chairman of AUA Board of Trustees), Dr. Derek Hodgson, Dr. James Sarn and others for being always ready to provide useful advises and directions toward the establishment of the university. 

Fortunately some members of the Afghan business community here and abroad have pledged to make significant contributions toward the renovation of the old American International School and buildings on the new campus. My thanks to Chairman Azizi, Mr. Ihasan Bayat, Mr. Farid Maqsudi, Mr.Ibrahim Mohib, and Mr. Kamgar, most of whom are also members of the Board of Trustees -- for their interest in AUA and their pledges of contributions.  My special thanks go to my old friend Engineer Naseer Ahmad Zarifi, a builder in Tucson Arizona, for his contribution in forming a design review board to develop a conceptual campus master plan for AUA. When the time comes, he said, he would also make a considerable contribution.

I should also thank the CCIU team, particularly Dr. Jack Maas, Mr. Scot Parris, for conducting and completing an excellent feasibility study.

Let me also extend my thanks to the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Hasanyar, for his genuine interest in this institution, and we are looking forward for a close cooperation between AUA and institutions of higher education under his administration. I should also thank former President of Kabul University, Professor Popal, and the senior staff of the Planning Department of the Ministry of Higher Education, for always being ready to offer their cooperation during the feasibility phase.
 
At this stage, when a conceptual campus master plan is beginning to be developed, the role of Minister Pashton and his engineering team, particularly Mr. Saberi, Mr. Brishna, and others will be very important. We are looking forward to their cooperation.

A few words about our plans for this year:  The University expects to offer intensive English-language classes beginning in fall of 2005 and to be open for entering freshmen by December 2006. More than 200 new students will be admitted each year with the student body expected to grow more than 1100.  Students will pay tuition and fees and aid programs will help academically qualified, financially needy students. Special efforts will be made to attract female students.

The new University will help talented Afghan students to achieve their aspirations, expand the pool of Afghans able to meet the demands of the public and private sector, and strengthen Afghanistan’s participation in the global economy.

The American University of Afghanistan will offer an English-language medium, co-educational, market-oriented program with a liberal arts core and degrees in business management, public administration, information technology, and English. Other disciplines on the basis of student demands and needs will be taken into consideration by academic planners.

In April, an important meeting of the Board of Trustee members, visionary academics, and university experts will be held here in Kabul to discuss the academic future of the University.  Similarly, Afghan and international engineers engaged in preparing a conceptual AUA campus master plan, together with engineers from the Ministry of Urban Development, will be invited to present their views about the future of AUA campus.  Once again, happy New Year to you and thanks for your attention.