First Afghan Higher Education Delegation to Visit Australian Universities

A senior level higher education delegation of Afghanistan led by Professor Hamidullah Farooqi, Advisor to the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on Higher Education and Chancellor of Kabul University is scheduled to visit Australia from 19 to 23 November 2018. The six member delegation will visit universities and higher education institutions in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane cities of Australia. 

Afghanistan and Australia singed the Comprehensive Long-term Partnership in 2013, which covers political, security, development, trade and investment, migration and humanitarian affairs, and cultural and people-to-people links. In addition, higher education was discussed as one of the top priorities during President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s historical visit to Australia in April 2017 followed by former Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Malcolm Turnbull’s visit to Kabul and his meeting with President Ghani on 25thApril 2017. Both governments of Afghanistan and Australia recognize the importance of higher education for the sustainment of the current achievements in Afghanistan and further development in the future. 

This year, the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra initiated a concept of a higher education delegation tour of Australia, which is in line with the Second Higher Education Strategy of the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The concept was shared with relevant stakeholders and the Embassy worked continuously with the members of the delegation to ensure that key priority areas are addressed and the tour has tangible achievements. 

The purpose of this tour of education delegation is to identify and utilize the potential, expertise and experiences of selected Australian universities towards enhancing the quality of higher education in Afghanistan. This covers cooperation in the various fields including agriculture, mining, water management, curriculum development, distance learning and PhD programs.The delegation is expected to initiate and/or sign a number of Memorandums of Understanding with some Australian Universities. 

It is important to acknowledge that the higher education tour is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Government of Australia. Since 2001, Australia has been one of the major partners of Afghanistan. The Government and the people of Afghanistan appreciate the contributions of Australia in the development and humanitarian sectors of Afghanistan and the sacrifices made by the Australian men and women in uniform during the past 17 years. The Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra considers this opportunity an important move towards building long-term and sustainable partnerships between public and private Afghan and Australian Universities.