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:
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:
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:
Strategies:
Objectives
Strategies:
Objectives:
Strategy:
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
Strategies:
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:
Strategies:
Financing and Financial Stability:
Objectives:
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:
Strategies:
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:
Strategies:
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:
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:
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:
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:
In addition, the SWOT analysis brought about areas that are considered as threats to the University and its operations, that include: