100 varsity teachers to be sent abroad for PhD programmes

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Higher Education says 100 lecturers of state-run universities will be sent abroad for PhD programmes under a new strategy.

In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, MoHE spokesman Hamid Obaidi said four lectures from each department of government universities would be sent abroad.

On completing the PhDs, the lecturers would start conducting standard master’s programmes at their respective departments, the spokesman revealed.

According to Obaidi, about 25 master’s degree programmes are launched annually at government universities.

The spokesman added the move would help improve the capacity of lecturers and the conduct of standard master’s programmes in the country.

He explained the lecturers sent abroad for PhD programmes would be financially supported with funds from the government budget.

About 680 students were sent to different countries for higher education last year, the official said.

About 80 of the students have been sent abroad for bachelors and 600 for master and PhD programmes to 30 different countries.

The ministry had announced several new scholarships, the official said, promising that qualified individuals would be selected.

Obaidi said some countries were also providing small amounts of money in addition to education and accommodation for students.

The scholarships would be announced in accordance with the ministry’s regulations and then eligible candidates would be selected.

He said since the process for many scholarships was available online, it remained transparent.

The spokesman scorned as baseless the allegation that scholarships were sold. Those selling scholarships send students abroad through companies that were not affiliated with the ministry.

He called on all countries to announce the award of scholarships to Afghan students through the Ministry of Higher Education.

Obaidi said the number of scholarships had decreased, compared to last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If students have issues in scholarship-providing countries, they will be resolved them through the embassy or the Department of Higher Education.

sa/mud