Herat University

Background

At the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE), we consider educational institutions to be the bedrock of Afghanistan’s sustainable development and future prosperity. We have a long-standing and deeply rooted relationship with Herat University, where we have dedicated our professional resources and expertise to fostering academic excellence, modernizing curricula, and building the capacity of both faculty and students. Through formal partnerships, virtual education platforms, and specialized training programs, we view ourselves as a vital bridge connecting Herat University to global engineering standards and innovations.

Revitalizing Engineering Education

Our collaborative efforts with Herat University gained significant momentum through the leadership of SAE Board Member Dr. Mohammad Saleh Keshawarz, who spearheaded extensive initiatives to resurrect and modernize civil engineering education in Afghanistan. Recognizing the need for an updated, highly functional higher education system, we helped facilitate a pivotal and transformative collaboration between Herat University and the University of Hartford, Connecticut, which began in August 2007.

This comprehensive collaboration was executed in two distinct phases. Phase I concentrated on developing the professional capacity of Herat’s faculty and thoroughly upgrading the existing civil engineering program. We helped design a new civil engineering curriculum that matched the content and rigor of typical American engineering programs. To ensure the long-term success of this curriculum, eighteen junior faculty members from Herat University were sent abroad to pursue their master’s degrees, enabling them to return as highly qualified educators.

In Phase II, we supported the expansion of Herat University’s engineering offerings beyond civil engineering. This phase successfully established two entirely new bachelor’s degree programs: Architecture and Mechatronics. We also contributed directly on the ground to supplement these efforts; for example, Dr. Keshawarz delivered a specialized two-week course at the university on the applications of Geotechnical Engineering Principles in Water Resources.

Pioneering Tele-Education and Virtual Learning

To overcome geographical barriers and resource constraints, we worked with Afghan Education for a Better Tomorrow (AEBT) to launch a groundbreaking Tele-Education program at Herat University. This initiative successfully paired our network of Afghan expatriate professors and subject-matter experts with Herat’s students and educators, utilizing synchronous video conferencing to deliver real-time, interactive lectures.

In late 2019, our virtual engagement expanded when SAE member Mr. Hashim Rayek delivered an insightful online presentation on Afghanistan’s water resources to Herat’s engineering students. The presentation was overwhelmingly successful, prompting the Dean of Herat University’s College of Engineering to officially request continued, formalized collaboration with SAE. In response to this request, several of our highly experienced members volunteered to teach short-term winter courses via Skype. We tailored our instruction to meet the university’s specific needs, covering a wide array of advanced topics such as hydraulic structures, dam design, urban planning, interior design, and MATLAB for mechatronics.

Pursuing Renewable Energy Solutions

Recognizing the growing energy demands and the unreliable power supply facing Herat University’s 21,000 students, we proactively engaged in discussions to explore sustainable infrastructure solutions. In May 2021, we participated in a joint virtual meeting with AEBT and Herat University’s leadership, including Chancellor Dr. Abdullah Faiz, to initiate a feasibility study for a Renewable Energy Pilot Project on the campus. The goal of this initiative was to harness the region’s abundant natural wind and solar resources to provide the university with a dependable alternative energy supply. we have been committed to this project and have continued to re-evaluate our position and re-open discussions to ensure its eventual implementation.

Empowering the Next Generation of Architects and Engineers

Our relationship with Herat University has extended to engaging its students in international forums and ensuring uninterrupted access to learning during times of crisis. We proudly invited Herat University’s architecture and urban planning programs to participate in the SAE-hosted International Student Design Competition, which challenged students to design sustainable housing solutions for displaced families in Bamiyan.

Furthermore, amidst recent educational restrictions in Afghanistan, we have ensured that students from Herat University have been included in our Afghan Architecture Studio (AAS) online classes. Facilitated by former Herat University lecturer Mr. Asadullah Hanif, roughly 20 students from Herat were introduced to the AAS program. Through these virtual design studios, we have provided vital architectural and urban planning education, ensuring that young Afghan women and men from Herat University have been able to hone their professional skills and prepare for their future careers.