Sheikh Zayed University

Background

At the Society of Afghan Engineers (SAE), we are deeply committed to fostering academic excellence and professional growth within Afghanistan’s higher education institutions. Our relationship with Sheikh Zayed University, located in Khost province, represents a vital component of our ongoing mission to connect Afghan professionals across the globe with the next generation of engineers and architects in our homeland. Through strategic collaborations, tele-education, and capacity-building initiatives, SAE has continuously strived to elevate the educational standards and opportunities available to the students and faculty at Sheikh Zayed University.

Tele-Education and Skill Development Initiatives

In March 2023, SAE, in a proud collaboration with Afghan Education for a Better Tomorrow (AEBT), launched a pioneering tele-education initiative specifically tailored for undergraduate upperclassmen engineering students at Khost University and Kabul University. This collaboration was thoughtfully designed to fill critical gaps in the existing academic curriculum by offering a series of specialized seminars and workshops.

Developed and staffed entirely by experienced Afghan engineers, these virtual sessions leverage modern video conferencing software and dedicated internet connections to provide uninterrupted, high-quality instruction from geographically dispersed specialists. Through this initiative, SAE has not merely delivered academic content; it has actively helped students at Sheikh Zayed University develop the essential problem-solving skills, critical-thinking capabilities, and professional resilience necessary to navigate an uncertain future and drive transformative change in Afghanistan. We believe that by reimagining higher education through tele-education, we can unlock the full potential of Afghan youth and overcome crippling development challenges.

Engagement in International Academic Competitions

As part of our mission to improve and sustain the practice of architecture and urban design in Afghanistan, SAE has actively sought to involve students from various Afghan institutions in global academic challenges. For our major “International Student Design Competition,” which was aimed at designing sustainable housing for the displaced cave dwellers of Bamiyan, we explicitly targeted the inclusion of architecture and urban planning programs from several key Afghan universities, including Khost University. By inviting these students to participate alongside peers from prestigious foreign institutions like MIT, Harvard University, and Washington State University, SAE has aimed to encourage invaluable collaboration, cross-cultural interchange, and practical learning.

Navigating Administrative Challenges to Provide Support

Our dedication to Sheikh Zayed University extends beyond virtual classrooms into tangible efforts to support its infrastructure and faculty. Following our fundraising initiatives for earthquake victims in Paktika and Paktia, our leadership engaged in direct discussions with faculty members at Sheikh Zayed University in Khost to explore avenues for financially supporting its school of engineering and architecture.

However, navigating the current regulatory environment in Afghanistan requires careful deliberation. We encountered administrative restrictions stipulating that such financial support must be distributed exclusively through the Ministry of Higher Education. To ensure our resources are utilized effectively, transparently, and in strict accordance with our organizational protocols, we ultimately decided not to pursue that specific funding route at the time. Despite these hurdles, SAE has remained steadfast in its commitment and has continued to explore alternative, viable options to deliver meaningful support to the university and its students.

Celebrating Our Alumni Network

Our relationship with Sheikh Zayed University is further enriched by the accomplished alumni who have gone on to join the ranks of the Society of Afghan Engineers. We are proud to count graduates of Sheikh Zayed University, such as Civil Engineering alumnus Mr. Ahmad Mushtaq Abdurahimzai, among our active membership base. By maintaining strong ties with alumni, we reinforce a continuous cycle of mentorship and professional development, ensuring that the experiences and successes of seasoned engineers are passed down to benefit the university’s current students.