Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan

Prologue

Ghalib Private University has been around for about five years now and it has experienced failure and successes. The past five years and the next five years are treated as a transition and transformational phase during which the university can achieve its goals by taking an appropriate and rational direction. Ghalib University has formulated a strategic plan reflecting its mission and objectives that provides a framework for the university to achieve its goals.

The strategic plan presents specific activities that the authorities at the university need to embark on and take appropriate actions in order to ensure enhanced operations both inside and outside of the university; furthermore, the plan ensures to streamline the university at the broader level.

Even though the document is focused to address the needs of the Ghalib University and it is based on its specific conditions, it can be considered a significant roadmap for the country's higher education system. Throughout we have ensured to create a strategy is valuable that can explain the university’s mission and strategies.

A significant point to consider is that we have started the transformation of the university many years ago, however, the strategic plan documents those efforts and puts them into a specific strategic framework that necessitates continuation of those transformative efforts.

Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our colleagues and those experts who have contributed to this credible document by taking their valuable time to provide us very useful comments and who committed and worked tirelessly in preparation of strategic document.  We would also like to thank all members of the academic and administrative council of the University. Lastly, we are indebted to the board of academic advisors and the strategic plan council of the university who played a key role in drafting this document.

President’s Message

More than anything else, today Afghanistan needs to invest and build its professional and academic cadres. Investment in human capital for some does not look to be a serious issue, however, it is a significant investment that can be considered as the most important factor in overcoming the challenges and miseries in this country. Establishment of private higher education institutions has revolutionized growth of cadres of the country and has created educational opportunities for Afghan citizens inside the country.

Along with the state and private universities and higher education institutes, Ghalib University will be one key pillar of the country’s higher education and academia. These universities and institutes perform in accordance with the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) laws, decrees, regulations and guidelines. Ghalib University is strongly committed to these legislations. Having a strategy and action plan is foundational and essential in advancing private higher education, for which a program that coordinates and reinforces high quality education is key. Ghalib University in accordance with its vision and mission has developed a five-year strategic plan that strives for excellence in education through which it aims to contribute to economic and social development in the country.

We believe the most important goals of higher education in Afghanistan three fold. One to educate specialized human resources that can meet the demands of the society; second to conduct academic and scientific research and lastly to generate knowledge. Higher education institutes have a central role in facilitating as well as accelerating sustainable development, hence higher education both in terms of quality and quantity should meet the demands of a society. We believe developing high quality education cannot be achieved unless we evaluate educational systems of the private institutions in terms of quality. Ghalib University in accordance to instructions and guidance of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) employs academic methods in order to ensure to continuously enhance its services to provide high quality education and specialized research.

We are very optimistic about the future of Ghalib University. Based on the guidance of the Ministry of Higher Education, directorate of quality assurance, and the university’s quality assurance committees, we will strive to achieve our vision and goals in accordance to laws and regulations and we will ensure to remain competitive in the sector by pursuing our academic aspirations. Therefore, by using every opportunity and employing any resources needed, we are committed to move forward in order to reach our goals for highest possible academic achievements; this way we will turn Ghalib University into a major center of science, excellence and knowledge at the country level. We will take strong and steady steps forward to make Ghalib University a dominant and dynamic center for higher education.

We believe enlightenment through spreading knowledge shall help with improving security, increased prosperity and welfare. It will also ensure people live in harmony and coexistence. As we advance in science and knowledge, we shall be able to eradicate economic and cultural poverty, end war and prevent miseries. Lastly, we should not forget action speaks louder; we have to put our words into action otherwise words will remain confined on papers and they are subject to be forgotten.

At the end I would like to thank our faculty, lecturers, professors, and our dedicated staff members who took part in the second round of self-assessment that led to this report.

Sincerely

Dr. Faridulhaq Sohail, Junior Assistant Professor,

President

Ghalib University

Kabul

Ghalib University: An Overview

In 2010 Ghalib University was established as a Private Higher Education Institute in Herat. One year after the second branch of the university was opened in Kabul. Right from the beginning the institute aimed and seriously worked for high quality academic education. After a comprehensive evaluation in 2015 the institute was promoted to university due to its perseverance, academic excellence and investments on better education. The university has four faculties in Kabul: curative, stomatology, laws and political science, and economics.

At Ghalib University we follow laws, regulations and procedures of the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and we always focus on means to expand knowledge at this university. It has established quality improvement committee, curriculum development committee, a scientific research center, an information technology center, rich general library and numerous departmental libraries, eight well-equipped laboratories, a dental clinic, and a cadre hospital. In addition, the availability of textbooks and other educational aids, continuous reviews of its teaching methods and pre-planned education activities are all indicators demonstrating university’s commitment towards its aspiration for excellent education. We at Ghalib University do not hesitate investing on areas required for advancing educational achievements of our students and lecturers.

Currently, there are 1119 students at Ghalib University, however this number increases by new entrants each year. So far the university has graduated 48 students from its administration and diplomacy, judicial and prosecutions, stomatology and economics faculties. These graduates have been able to succeed in the labour market and find top positions. This reflects that the university’s curriculum and syllabus are of high quality and can respond well to the needs of the market and the society.

Center of science, knowledge, and high quality education is the motto of the university. Ghalib University by offering diverse majors and fields of studies through its faculties, and in the future through establishing postgraduate programmes (master’s and Ph.D.) seeks to truly serve the communities and the society.

Faculty of Medical Science

The Faculty of Medical Science at Ghalib University has two clinic and para-clinic sub-departments with an active administrative team and 48 experienced lecturers offers high quality education in medical science for 676 students. The faculty was established in 2011 and since 2016 students have begun their house jobs. The faculty has legal and systematic working relationships with state and private hospitals both inside and outside of the country where students (except Kabul) from Herat and other provinces can do their house jobs and practical training even at hospitals outside the country.

The most prominent features of the faculty include having a cadre hospital (teaching hospital), eight well-equipped laboratories, well equipped private library, suitable educational environment, up-to-date curriculum, textbooks and educational aids, technology, seminars and conferences and paying special attention to practical lessons.

Faculty of Stomatology

The faculty of stomatology was founded in 2001. Currently it has 110 students enrolled. A well-experienced faculty body leads the teachings and a capable administrative team provides support to the faculty. By the end of this year, six students will be graduated from the faculty. The faculty has a well-resourced dental clinic equipped with up-to-date technologies. In addition to theoretical studies, the faculty pays a considerable amount of attention to practical lessons.

Ghalib's cadre hospital and numerous other hospitals and clinics associated with Ghalib University facilitates provision and opportunities for specialized dental students. Department offers up-to-date syllabus, education materials and modern technologies that make us optimistic about the new generation of dentists that will be graduating from the faculty. Prominent features of the department include conducting conferences and seminars, having and exclusive library, and young and dedicated faculty.

Faculty of Law and Political Science

Faculty of Law and Political Science has two sub-departments. So far 35 students graduated from the departments serve the society. This is a one of the prestigious departments of Ghalib University. The graduates of the department have been able to get great jobs and perform well. This demonstrates their high academic achievements. The faculty of law and political science was established in 2011. By 2015 three rounds of students graduated from the two sub-departments: Diplomacy and Administration, and Judiciary and Prosecution. As of now there are 116 students at the department and the figure will increase by new round of enrollments.

The Faculty of Law and Political Science has signed several memorandums of understanding with the relevant state institutions that provide opportunities for joint cooperation with those institutions. Educational trips, legal clinics, exclusive departmental library, up-to-date curriculum, textbooks and tutorials, use of modern information technology, seminars and conferences, and attention on practical teachings and activities are some of the prominent features of the faculty of law and political science. The faculty has 13 lectures and professors supported by a capable administrative team.

Faculty of Economics

Like other faculties, the faculty of economics was also established in 2011. So far 7 students are graduated from the faculty who in the labour market have been respected for their academic qualifications. As of now there are 58 students enrolled in the faculty and by new entrants for 2017 this figure will increase. The faculty of economics has one sub-department of Administration and Management. Academic affairs at the faculty are managed by 19 well-experienced lecturers who are supported by a capable administration team.

Academic working relationships with other peer institutions, routine seminars and conferences, application of the very recent research in economics, textbooks and tutorials, and use of technology are some of the prominent features of the faculty.

Vision

Based on our mission, we are committed to strive and work continuously over the next five years in order to become a credible academic and research institution nationwide, regionally and beyond. We will put our efforts in contributing to the development of education and culture by recruiting qualified and experienced faculty and staff with rich qualifications and professional work experience with public and private sectors, as well as by attracting talented students. Ghalib University will provide internationally recognized and high quality education and research to those genuinely seeking knowledge and will strive for becoming an established educational institution where knowledge is generated and used.

Mission

As a pioneer educational institution with standard curriculum Ghalib University feels responsible to work tirelessly to promote higher education, to generate knowledge, and to educate committed and specialized human resources who are empathetic towards civil and Islamic values in the country. Ghalib makes great effort to educate curious and enthusiastic individuals who feels responsible to transform their lives and organizations and those who eagerly contribute in a prosperous and better Afghanistan that is a center for knowledge, rich culture and innovations.

Ghalib University feels responsible to offer the best education possible and provide the best resources available for its students and researchers. Using advanced teaching methods in accordance with laws and regulations of the ministry of higher education, and taking advantage of its location in Kabul, the university understands its duty to contribute to a progressive, developed and peaceful Afghanistan. Hence, the university will provide educational and research opportunities for members of the society and assist to remove major barriers confronting young generation in order to ensure meeting its mission for improved public welfare.

In summary, these are Ghalib’s mission:

  1. To increase access to standard higher education in accordance to the country’s socio-economic conditions.
  2. To promote capacities of faculty and students both in terms of quality and quantity based on the needs of the country and based on realistic projections.
  3. To engage and partner with the labour market and the society to generate appropriate job opportunities for students and alumni.
  4. To promote and encourage creativity and innovation through academic and experimental research in order to address current challenges for a brighter future

Values and the Culture

Persistent efforts to promote educational qualities and to move forward in the path of excellence and perfection must become an important mission and they should be aligned and consistent with the country's academic, cultural and social values. The principles and values of a society cannot be changed immediately. Therefore, observing these values is one of the indispensable necessities and an indivisible behavioral factor for individuals and institutions.

Knowledge of these cultural values by the university faculty, staff, and students helps to understand and identify challenges in the work environment. Beliefs that are core of traditions through a set of explicit rules are recognized as essential values the power to make decisions and select among different choices in a creative and independent way emerges in such a framework.

These values are not just slogans but they directly affect the university's academic and cultural activities. In addition to the Islamic values, being transparent, serving the society, self-sufficiency, progress, independence and national dignity, respecting time, workforce, and the efforts of faculty and students, we define our cultural values as follows:

We as an active academic institution economics and management strive for high academic achievements and will ensure to introduce applied macro and micro economics. In addition, we strive to educate cadres and specialists in accordance with international standards and based on the needs of the country.

Furthermore, we strive to enhance educational services both in terms of quality and quantity, which are based on national and international standards.

As a social science institute we strive to remain influential to be able to actively defend social, cultural, and ethical positions, as well as to influence national and international policy formulations.

As an active academic institute for human rights we strive to create an environment for free thoughts and exchange of ideas in accordance with ethical and religious norms; through awareness programs, legal clinics, academic conferences and seminars we strive for unity in the society.

As an active academic institute in information technology: taking into account the current situation of Afghanistan with a vibrant and creative young population and using opportunities to get access to the latest technology and educational resources through online or other resources and provision of these technology to students with a view for a developed Afghanistan in technology and natural science.

As an active academic institute in health and medical care, we strive to consider urgent needs of society whereas skilled medical personnel are needed, using talented and capable workforce to standardize healthcare delivery and to enhance treatment, curing, and prevention.

Objectives of the Strategy:

Programs:

  1. Access to standard higher education:

Creating motivation, encouraging students to learn and to conduct research, and creating a suitable environment for innovation, creativity and independent thinking both inside and outside the university so that students can aspire for heights in education is a key objective of the strategy. Part of this objective includes improving the quality of education for undergraduates and above. All of this reflects our outstanding experiences in teaching, promoting justice, and broad participation, which are inline with global standard education strategies.

Objectives:

  1. To assist and support students through educational programs and extracurricular activities at Ghalib Private University.
  2. To build students' capacity through active learning, question and answer, supplementary and supportive programs and workshop; encourage in-depth academic reading at undergraduate and higher level.
  3. To create a learning and education environment that is valuable and based on values of the society;
  4. To align curriculum and education materials of the different faculty based on the needs of the labour market.
  5. To prepare students in order to compete in the labour market and to assist them find suitable jobs in the market.
  6. To remain flexible and prepare facilities for students at all levels through all educational regulations and procedures, including credit procedures.

Strategies:

  • To utilize new methods and standards in order to guide and support students in their educational and academic journey; also to facilitate exchange of ideas among all students in order to help them plan better for their future; and through these to promote a sense of unity and cooperation among students;
  • To promote systematic reading habits among students in order to expand education and learning; to engage students in education affairs;
  • To motivate and prepare students to obtain overseas education and experience as part of their curriculum; we do this through partnerships with overseas universities;
  • To establish contacts with employers, vocational entities, alumni/graduates, and other stakeholders, in order to ensure education is aligned with the needs of the labour market;
  • To establish academic affiliations with domestic and international universities;
  • To enable faculty and staff members to use information technology for improved teaching and quality education;
  • To establish partnership with the labour markets and the society, Ghalib university is committed to educate young, talented and skilled experts in different majors.

Objectives

  1. To establish Ghalib University as an academic institution highly committed to create opportunities for cooperation and collaboration in order to expand high quality educational and academic services and to create job opportunities for students in the labor market.
  2. To build capacities and skills of the students in science, education and administration in order to succeed in the labor market.
  3. To prefer national and regional values and needs for education.

 

Strategies:

  • To establish contacts with organizations, government and private entities in order to facilitate for internship opportunities for students.
  • To strengthen contacts and relationships with universities, private and government entities, and other academic, research and cultural institutions both inside and outside the country;
  • To expand and improve Ghalib’s research center in order to enhance the quality of research and host new research opportunities;
  • To assess opportunities for cooperation between the university and other stakeholders in order to share services, ideas and facilities.
  • To foster a culture of flexibility among staff members in order to promote teamwork, accountability, exchange of ideas and justice in the workplace.
  • To create a secure and healthy work environment for all staff and employees.
  • To encourage and promote creativity and innovation through research
  • It is a possible aspiration to educate and raise a vibrant, successful and engaging research group that can generate ideas for positive changes in social, economic, cultural, biodiversity, and overall health and stability of Afghanistan. In general, this objective aims to develop and retain quality research by faculty and students.

Objectives:

  1. To be a pioneer in modern research in order to meet the needs of the society and to assist with the transformation process from a traditional to modern society.
  2. To lead and manage a research team (cadre) that can find appropriate and alternative solutions for social and regional problems and challenges.
  3. To establish and train a research group in technology, economics, medicine, law and other fields considered necessary for society;

Strategy:

  • To foster new and interdisciplinary research, to promote teamwork in research, and to encourage collaborations between Ghalib and other universities in research work.
  • To form an experienced and able research team in economics, environmental, health and technology research to be able to address the current social crises.
  • To utilize modern and advanced technology for academic research at the university.
  • To start short and long term scholarships for research;
  • To encourage students and faculty to acquire managerial and entrepreneurial skills.
  • To foster innovation to promote exchange of ideas and experience between the university and other industrial, cultural and other entities providing general services. 

Strategies enabling factors:

The realization of our strategic objectives depends on capable human resources, quality infrastructure and financial stability.

A)         Human Resources

Our success in achieving our strategic objectives relies on outstanding performance of our staff. New human resource strategies require to fairly build on human capital and expansion of partnerships.

Strategy

  1. To encourage and support staff to use their full abilities to collaborate for academic achievements. To transform the university into an appropriate workplace through recruiting, rewarding and retaining the best employees from across the country.
  2. To develop administrative, intellectual and academic skills and knowledge of the staff.
  3. To organize the biography of university's human resources and their capabilities in order to transform and develop the institution.
  4. To develop a comprehensive and supportive approach, to strengthen the spirit of cooperation and respect for human dignity, to consider the principles of equality and disagreement, and also to focus on health, safety and health insurance of the staff.
  5. To create a healthy and competitive environment, to value staff initiatives and to respect staff independence.
  6. To use all resources in order to develop talents and build capacity of faculty and staff.

Strategies:

  • To create positive motivations at the university level in order to encourage and attract new staff members and to empower them as effective individuals for the university as well as the society.
  • To praise successful academic and administrative staff of the University using different and effective mechanisms.
  • To motivate staff members and in different ways as part of the global goals for change.
  • To persuade and advise staff members in order to achieve the university objectives by establishing a transparent connection among their individual and personal goals, objectives of the university and those of the faculties/departments. We do this through our annual assessment of the University.
  • To invest strategically on the core skills of our staff in order to equip them with the necessary skills so that they can manage academic projects and programs in the best way possible. We will use any available mechanisms to support the staff members.
  • To encourage flexibility among the staff members to support enhanced and better teamwork, exchange of ideas and experience, and to establish the right work and life balance in the workplace.
  • To create a safe and reliable workplace.

B): Infrastructure

Quality infrastructure is an enabling factor for achieving our objectives. Creating a workplace that is modern, efficient, and equipped with state-of-the art technology enables better teaching and scientific research, which allows the University to remain competitive at the country and regional levels.

Objectives:

  1. To ensure physical infrastructure, technology and libraries are developed and retained both in terms of quality and quantity.
  2. To protect assets and to use all available physical resources efficiently.
  3. To utilize state-of-the-art technology to better coordinate students and lecturers’ affairs with all departmental activities of the procurement, property, and planning departments, including the libraries.

Strategies:

  • To meet changing needs of the society we serve, those of our staff members and students we use all available resources and infrastructure. We will offer the best available academic services so that we can expand our activities as a premier academic institution.
  • To expand our engagements in planning and conducting research and national educational programs so that we can better identify societal needs. We will do this by using all appropriate and available resources.
  • To foresee and identify future advances in technology, research and management. We will ensure to establish an environment where such developments are adopted at the university.
  • To retain and expand our rich libraries and any academic assets we have as well as to ensure all students have easy access to these valuable assets.
  • To protect all data and information of the University for easy access using state-of-the-art technology
  • To ensure easy public access to these data and information and to establish contacts with all different societal groups in order to introduce the University and to publicize our academic and research programs, as well as our achievements. We will do this using state of the art technology.
  • To use a strategic approach and information management system to store, manage and use University’s data and information.

Financing and Financial Stability:

  • Universities strategizes to ensure credible financial independence and stability and on the other hand they make sure to expand their financial base.  To protect and expand its financial base and to make sure to remain competitive, Ghalib University defines its financial objectives are as follows:

Objectives:

  • To determine long-term financial plans and strategies in research and education.
  • To determine short-term financial plans and strategies in research and education.
  • To determine short, medium and long term budget for construction, operation and maintenance, and for the purchase of new and modern technology.
  • To establish and use transparent and accountable financial systems in accordance with standards of accounting.
  • To allocate and prioritize resources according to strategic priorities of the university; to actively monitor and control short, medium, and long-term financial impacts to ensure better decision making.
  • To assess and update the financial strategy and the budget periodically to ensure stability;
  • To update short and long term financial projections in order to better guide major decisions.
  • To secure and manage financial resources to support investments in infrastructure and new sustainable interventions.
  • To make reliable investments in education loans in order to optimize the returns of such investments; to provide financial and intellectual support to the University.
  • To create a strong administrative framework to ensure enhanced decision making and accountability.

Outstanding teaching experience

This strategic objective can be realized through our excellence in education for the university can provide learning opportunities for students. These opportunities help us build upon our teaching experiences and consequently this leads us to establish a strong relationship between the University and the students.

Strategies:

  • To ensure lecturers have the right knowledge and set of skills in order to meet and respond to a numerous group of students with different backgrounds; this will be in accordance with their experience, expectations and talents;
  • To raise students' awareness through educational opportunities and programs in and outside the country; to offer supplementary foreign language;
  • To offer comprehensive recreational and sports facilities and to support students' sports, recreational and cultural activities and communities;
  • To publish scientific and academic research papers of the students;
  • To commemorate and celebrate Students’ Day and the Cultural Week.
  • To act upon students’ challenges and difficulties; and to reasonably address student’s examination results, the classroom environment and available resources at the university;

Strategies:

  • To provide and facilitate opportunities and welcome the participation of the local communities at conferences, festivals, cultural and sports programs, activities of the associations and unions of the university in order to benefit from their opinions and experiences for the betterment of academic interventions of the university, both in terms of quality and quantity.
  • To respect and value the participation of the communities as an enabling factor for the university’s success in order to identify as well as influence on the needs of the communities; this will help to effectively use and foster results of the research program;
  • To encourage students, faculty and employees to take part in sport activities, festivals and other collective and voluntary activities;
  • To respect and admire the alumni and their roles in improving, strengthening, and expanding the activities of the university both at the present and in the future;
  • To introduce and display achievements of the university at the regional level and beyond;
  • To constantly assess the labor market and assist students with jobs through equipping them with useful and effective set of skills;

Social Responsibility:

Creating environments in which students, staff and community members understand their social responsibilities. They should be encouraged to retain academic values at the university and beyond. Through this strategic objective we follow principles of social responsibility and social service. We believe should be turned into a culture.

Objectives:

    1. To expand green environment and to reduce environmental impacts in the country;
    2. To increase citizen’s participation for social development and prosperity;
    3. To have infrastructures that are environmentally resilient and can be further developed sustainably; we do this in consideration to our national and international social responsibilities;
    4. To encourage communities for conservation of a healthy environment and to develop infrastructures that ensures reduced greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution.
    5. To promote law enforcement and accountability within the university and the communities.

Strategies:

  • To ensure the University acts upon its commitments for social responsibilities, and in its educational strategies and plans the University acts based on national and international standards that are widely accepted;
  • To encourage the University staff body as faithful and active supporters of innovations for social interventions and leadership;
  • To identify and share opportunities and achievements associated with social responsibilities of the University in order to ensure sustainability.
  • To improve resource management in order to reduce waste harmful to the environment;
  • To review the University admission fees in accordance to the level of households’ income and provide educational services accordingly;
  • To implement field research projects for the purpose of reducing environmental challenges of the country;

Quality Improvement

Quality improvement is a well calculated and rational process that offers credible and reliable results based on which we can create academic plans to achieve our objectives and mission. Education quality improvement has become a specialized area of higher education due to recent advances in quality improvement and its application in all aspects of social life.

There are principles, methods and prerequisites that jointly ensure education quality improvement. To meet its mission and strategic objectives and in order to improve its competitiveness and improve its academic rankings inside the country and beyond, Ghalib University has been engaged in education quality improvement since 2013. In this regard the following have been our priorities:

Establishing quality improvement subcommittees in every faculty; following up short and long term plans; individual cadre and employees’ development plans; internal and external self-assessments, updating curricula and tutorials, encouraging to do research; and creating a scientific research center. These enables Ghalib University as a high quality and accredited institute to achieve its ambitions over the next five years.

Other facilities and Supplementary Services:

Educational Institutes all over the world provide services to produce, promote and disseminate knowledge. To meet this valuable objective, it is crucial to have vital resources like experienced faculty, talented lecturers as well as a healthy environment. So supplementary services along the main ones are also effective for academic and educational institutes to achieve their objectives; these services differ based on the environments and based on each institute. Since Ghalib University is a prominent academic institute in the private sector, its supplementary services have to correspond to its investments and financial resources. At Ghalib these include services for students, those in need, and the following other supportive programs:

A)        Student Counseling Services:

During their academic careers students are confronted with one main threat that hinders their learning and decisions, and poses them with psychological issues. Hence, a “Counseling Center” has been established where a psychologist is appointed to serve students. The primary task of the center is to advise students on challenges and threats that affects their education and social life. The counseling center includes performs the following activities for the next 5 years:

  1. To assist students to improve their mental health and wellbeing and to help their overall growth;
  2. To identify students' talents and capabilities using scientific tools and methods; and to help them in order to improve and nurture those talents;
  3. To assist and guide students to select a major and field of study based on their abilities and interests;
  4. To assist and guide students regarding their age specific needs;
  5. To help and identify talents and interests of students in order for them to work and develop those talents;
  6. To assist and guide students for academic and professional achievements;
  7. To organize meetings with students in order to address their social and psychosocial questions and concerns;
  8. To carry out research on those problems, which harms students’ mental health;
  9. To provide services in order to help students solve their academic, family, marriage, careers, behavioral and mental disorders;
  10. To establish and retain effective relations with other faculties and departments of the university in order to address students and other staff problems and challenges;
  11. To counsel with students for the purpose of: academic achievements, social relationships improvement, summarizing students' social and psychological problems.
  12. To provide counseling to students and assist them with academic progress, social relations improvement, and other social and psychological issues;
  13. To conduct training workshops for students and staff members on issues of mental health;
  14. To identify and refer students to other available supporting resources in the communities; and to attract students and staff members to engage in mental health activities;
  15.  

B) Disabled Individuals

Contemporary history of Afghanistan is largely with conflicts and tensions and associated with poverty. The young and talented Afghans have particularly been affected who due to many reasons were abstained to have access to education. Since its inception Ghalib University has committed to youth by providing them any available educational resources. The University’s 5-year strategic plan particular addresses these vulnerable groups:

  • To offer admission to talented young individuals based on an annual quota that every faculty and department is entitled to;
  • To offer admission to disabled youth based on an annual quota that every faculty and department is entitled to; 
  • To offer admission to children of martyrs and disabled based on an annual quota that every faculty and department is entitled to; 

2. Support Programs:

It is vital to develop and use support programs that encourage and motivate faculty and staff members at Ghalib University. The modern human resource management systems consider support programs as a way to enhance quality and service delivery in social sciences in academic institutions.

Since its inception, Ghalib University has paid close attention and taken crucial steps for developing such support programs. Our strategic plan includes these support programs:

  • A program to support academic achievements of the faculty;
  • A doctoral program (for two qualified lecturers);
  • Medium and long term training programs;
  • Staff capacity building program;
  • Basic literacy program;
  • Workshops on management, accounting, office management, procurement, computer and English language;
  • Higher education system;
  • Soft and hard data banks for archives, human resources, information management system, and inventories;
  • Digitalization of main and departmental libraries;
  • The university alumni database;
  • Increased access to national and international digital libraries;

Competitors and Market Assessment

Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) prioritizes economic sovereignty and growth through private sector development. The role of the sector in the strategy is considered very significant. Although providing education services and generating knowledge is one key duty of the state, the private sector has made significant investments in recent years, which include founding of numerous private universities and higher education institutes. In accordance to legislations, the state should continue to support and monitor private institution.

In addition to Kabul University and Kabul Medical University as the state education institutions, there are several private higher education institutes that operate in Kabul, among them Ghalib University through a fair competition with other institutes has been able to establish itself as a credible university.

Assessment of the University through SWOT:

Based on a SWOT analysis (of both external and internal environment of the University) we have identified strengths, and weaknesses of the institution. The analysis has also helped us to identify opportunities and threats. The statistical population of the assessment/research included the University lecturers and students, members of the civil societies and lecturers of public universities. The questionnaire for the assessment included both open and closed questions.

According to the SWOT analysis, respondents has pointed out these as strengths of the Ghalib University:

These are a summary of the differences between Ghalib University and other private higher education institutes: discipline in departments and administration, qualified professors and lecturers, transportation for staff and lecturers, well-equipped laboratories, quality improvement committee, and promotion of the institute from a higher education institute to a university.

Ghalib University according to the assessment is among the best in Kabul city. It is a reputable and disciplined university with a good administration system that follows government regulations and laws. Ghalib university has been somewhat successful to engage students in major decisions, where students take part in cultural, sports and social programs. Ghalib curriculum in all majors are in accordance with the needs of the labor market, which has led students get jobs in the market.

Ghalib University encourages students to participate in national and international conferences and seminars. The university also benefits from students’ suggestions and feedback in the short and long term objectives of the university. Majority of students agree with the fact that the university seriously follows the government regulations and laws and that its education facilities satisfies their expectations. Such testimonies demonstrate success of the university.

The SWOT analysis also points out the weaknesses of the university; these are areas where the university will ensure to improve that include the following:

The campus of Ghalib University in Kabul does not have adequate green space. In addition, the Kabul branch has not been very less successful in using experience of other institutes, something that can be improved. Also, the university has not provided enough internship opportunities; students expect the university to facilitate such opportunities at national and international organization in the future.

Ghalib private university provides few job opportunities for graduates. If the university coordinates with other relevant organizations and introduce qualified, talented, and committed graduates that will be a great support to the communities and the labor market

Other weaknesses that were pointed out  include that it is only the revenue that is a top priority for the university; and that operation and administrative staff are not appraised and there is no punishment system.

Similarly, according to the SWOT analysis, there are opportunities that the University can take advantage of that includes:

  • Using modern and state-of-the-art technology in teaching in all departments and faculty, adding new majors and disciplines with advanced teaching opportunities, enhancing the university's academic abilities, paying close attention to meritocracy and to extracurricular activities and programs, creating affiliations with other national and international universities and education institutions.
  • Investing in the research center and conducting scientific and academic research in different thematic areas through which the university could use the opportunity to generate revenue and address societal problems.
  • If the University can take some steps towards revising its fee based on the current economic situation, it can attract more students. If the University can have its own campus, it will help the university to reduce its costs where the available funds would be used for other educational equipment and advertising in order to attract new and more entrants.

In addition, the SWOT analysis brought about areas that are considered as threats to the University and its operations, that include:

  • High fees and the uncertainty if there are any discounts in various disciplines at the University. The society in fact are unaware of if there are discounts offered by the University. The advertisements and publicities do not vividly address announce the discounts. These makes potential applicants to turn to our competitors. In addition, the University lacks adequate permanent lecturers and members of the cadre.
  • Political uncertainty and increasing migration: Since politics and the economy are closely interrelated, uncertainty in politics leads to economic uncertainty that results to lack of interest in private education.
  • Inappropriate or lack of clear staff job descriptions; lack of facilities for field research; country’s political uncertainty, low quality education at high schools, enrollment of high school graduates with low grades are among other threats the University is confronted to.