Nangarhar University celebrates golden jubilee

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): As the Nangarhar University celebrated its golden jubilee on Thursday; the Ministry of Higher Education announced PhD classes would be launched soon at the university.

The university’s golden jubilee was celebrated at the Governor’s House in Jalalabad, the provincial capital. Besides the acting higher education minister, a number of teachers from various universities, guests from abroad, academics and government officials were present.

University Chancellor Dr. Mohammad Zahir Inayat said thousands of students had graduated from its 13 faculties during the past 50 years. He added there had been only a medical faculty on the varsity campus 50 years ago, but later more departments were added.

The chancellor said the university currently provided bachelor’s and master’s level education to students in the disciplines of literature, political science and Shariah.

Acting Higher Education Minister Prof. Mohammad Osman Babari said PhD classes in the university’s Shariah faculty would be launched soon.

“Efforts have been made to renovate and rebuild the Nangarhar University, for which funds had been released and we plan to increase the capacity of all universities.”

Also present on the occasion was Senate Chairman Fazl Hadi Muslimyar, who said the Ministry of Higher Education had failed to give adequate attention to the Nangarhar University.

About politics on the campus, the Meshrano Jirga chairman said: “University is a place for study; it is not a political ground. Everyone who wants to be in politics should come out of the university gates and open offices outside.”

Wolesi Jirga’s first deputy speaker lawmaker Haji Zahir Qadir also talked about political activities on the Nangarhar University campus, asking politicians not to use the sentiments of the young blood for their interests. However, he did not name anyone.

“Don’t turn universities into political platforms, we should give pen and book in the hands of students and resolve their and teachers’ problems,” said Qadir, who promised efforts at resolving problems on the campus.

Andranik S Dernikiyan, the vice-chancellor of the Tomsk University, who came all the way from Russia to attend the Nangarhar University’s golden jubilee, said he would make efforts at paving the ground for Afghan students to acquire higher education.

“I will be meeting Afghanistan Higher Education Ministry officials and others to discuss with them our cooperation and assistance,” he said.

Dr. Qibla Ayaz, University of Peshawar vice-chancellor, who also attended the event, said many students from Pakistan had graduated from the Nangarhar University’s medical faculty and for which they were indebted.

He said the Peshawar university also gave Afghan students the opportunity to study and they were charged fees equal to the Pakistani students.

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