AIT opens project office in Pathum Thani

Kabul: The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has solidified its effort to assist the development of higher education in Afghanistan, opening a permanent office to manage its partnership with Balkh University (BU) located in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

The newly launched office, located on the AIT campus in Pathum Thani, will support its US$ 1.5 million AIT-BU Partnership Project, an initiative funded by the World Bank and spearheaded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Afghanistan.

The 30-month partnership aims to apply the expertise and experience of AIT in curriculum, institutional and human resources development assistance to Balkh University, located in northern Afghanistan. BU is one of six universities in Afghanistan receiving World Bank support to strengthen higher education.
At an opening ceremony on 10 October, Prof. Dr. Said Irandoust, president of AIT, noted the significance of the formal tie-up, calling a pioneering partnership for both partners.

“AIT is extremely proud and pleased to partner with the Ministry of Higher Education of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to strengthen the overall capacity of the Faculty of Engineering of Balkh University. This office is an historic day for AIT,” President Irandoust said.

The Faculty Development Plan (FDP) for the AIT-BU Partnership Project includes a doctoral degree program, master degree program, short course in administration and management, certificate courses in computer science, English language and various other subjects including laboratory management, library management carried out at AIT administered through the new office.

In addition to these programs, special training programs are also planned to be conducted at Balkh University, through the AIT Project Office located in Mazar-i-Sharif. Currently, five BU faculty members are enrolled at AIT under the new program, including the Chancellor of Balkh University. (PR/AIT)