IIU not being transferred to another country: Source

KABUL, an official said Tuesday.

Wishing anonymity, the official told Pajhwok Afghan News the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) was interested in building the university in Afghanistan.

Back in 2012, the OIC in its heads of states summit in Egypt decided to set up the IIU in Afghanistan with funds from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

The source said Afghanistan must show it was interested in the project and should take measures after failing to implement the project in seven years.

The official suggested President Ashraf Ghani should take steps to build the university like in other countries.

He said the project should not be politicized. Afghanistan’s international credibility would also increase and security situation would improve with implementation of the university project.

He rejected rumors the IIU was being transferred to another Muslim country but warned the delay in its construction would not go in the country’s interest.

Not only Afghan students but students from 59 Muslim countries would study in the IIU, which would positively impact the country’s economic, social, culture and education affairs.

Faizal Amin, spokesman for the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), told Pajhwok that building such universities required legal and legislative documents, professional studies, security and fundamental research and the MoHE had discharged its responsibilities in this regard.

About time limitation in starting work on the project, he said: “We will for sure lose this project if the organs concerned neglected and delayed it, but the MoHE is trying not to lose it.”

He said it was not important where the project should be implemented, but the important was that it should not be lost.

Amin said reviewing legislative documents of the project had been completed and teams appointed to process fundamental stages.

Earlier, a number of Wolesi Jirga members and other Afghans had stressed the university should be built in Nangarhar province.

pk/ma