Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst       
German Academic Exchange Service

Last Monday, I got the opportunity to attend a ceremony, celebrating 10 years of DAAD in Higher Education. The Ambassador of Germany, Secretary of the General Academic Exchange Service, Head of DAAD in Afghanistan, two deputies of Higher Education, and the Kabul University Chancellor were present at the panel, and they talked about the future of Afghanistan education. Students who were part of the Germany exchange program were also present at the event.

Established in 1960, DAAD is an organization that  is working for Afghan eductional system and gives scholarships to students and scholars who attend international exchange programs. In 2002, the DAAD team visited Kabul University even though the university didn't have any facilities and was almost completely destroyed. This is when DAAD got interested in the institution and decided to invest in the future of the students. The DAAD team gave scholarships to more than 2500 students between 2002 and 2011 with the goal to improve the quality of academic teaching in Afghanistan. The scholarships they provide include those for Masters and Doctoral students who are doing research. German students also attend Afghan universities as a way to gain experience aboard. DAAD is also funding the printing of the best research books and Good Governance in Afghanistan. The DAAD scholarship holders from Afghanistan will become tomorrow's leaders.

In 2006, I went to Berlin through DAAD with 13 other students for 4 months to study IT. This was my first trip to a European country without my family, and it gave me the opportunity to work on my future and understand the international system. We really appreciate DAAD and German Universities that help the young generation in expanding their knowledge and creating a standard education system.

 

@ Roya Mahboob