Number of girl student surges at Nangarhar University

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The number of girl students has increased at the state-run university in eastern Nangarhar province, thanks to better facilities and resources, an official said on Thursday.

In the not-so-distant past, many people were not satisfied with the university environment and prevented their sisters and daughters getting admission there.

However, after a series of positive changes and a marked improvement in the university’s image, the number of female students has surged. Two years back, only 800 girls were enrolled in the university, compared with more than 2,000 now.

Chancellor Babrak Miakhel said the availability of an enabling educational environment, transport, hostel and other facilities had helped encourage girl student to enroll.

Two years back, he recalled, the university was a training centre for armed people but the overall environment had undergone noticeable transformation.

As a consequence of improved discipline and reforms, the chancellor claimed, it had emerged as a university of peace. He said the growing number of female students was just one example.

Dunya Sangar Niyazi, hailing from neighbouring Laghman province, is studying at the university and lives in a hostel. She said her family was previously scared by the presence of gunmen on the campus.

But the university situation has now changed, according to her. She confirmed students were enjoying a proper environment, security, transport, hostel and other necessary facilities.

Nangarhar University has nearly 15,000 students, including 2,000 girls. They are taught bachelor, masters and PhD courses by nearly 500 teachers.

nh/mud