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Successful Strategies for Afghan Faculty Members Studying Abroad. Afghanistan University Linkages with North American Institutions of Higher Education: Lessons Learned and the Way Ahead January 25-26, 2011 Ball State University-Indianapolis Center Indianapolis, In. Presenters.
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Successful Strategies for Afghan Faculty Members Studying Abroad
Afghanistan University Linkages with North American Institutions of Higher Education: Lessons Learned and the Way AheadJanuary 25-26, 2011Ball State University-Indianapolis CenterIndianapolis, In
Presenters Dr. YarEbadi, Dean of College Of Business Administration, Kansas State University Dr. Julie Barker Lebo, Educational Consultant
Linkages • Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan • Balkh University, Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan • Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey • Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani, India • Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA
Funding • Strengthening Higher Education Project, Ministry of Higher Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (funded by the World Bank)
Faculty Goals • A significant number of lecturers at Kabul and Balkh Universities in the Faculties of Engineering and Languages and Literature who have only a bachelor’s degree earn a Master’s degree at a foreign university • The lecturers become proficient in English • The lectures acquire skills in best-practice teaching methods • The lecturers become current in their discipline • The lecturers learn how to conduct academic research
Successful Outcomes of the Project • 12 MAgraduates • Continual presence of Kansas State faculty in Afghanistan • Curricular revisions • Assistance with student advising and placement • Use of Lab/equipment assistance • Renewed interest in partners’ countries
Outcomes, cont. • Academic linkages • Research collaboration • Grant opportunities • Publishing opportunities
Strategies for Selection of Faculty • English language proficiency • Academic ability to meet international standards • Openness to meeting and working with others • Ability to be away from their families for at least three years • Financial means to be abroad for at least three years
Strategies, cont. • Willingness to try new teaching methods • Flexibility • Willingness to work hard academically.
Successful Strategies for Faculty While They are Studying • On campus housing • Meal plan • Support for health issues • Adequate academic advising • Plug students into existing campus resources • Financial advising regarding monthly budget • Relationships • Support for academic success: • Understanding a syllabus • Study skills • Test prep
Strategies, cont. • Time management • Homework • Writing skills
Strategies for Faculty Members Upon Return to Afghanistan • On-going professional development • Opportunities for professional and academic advancement • Utilization of new-found knowledge • Research capability • Publishing opportunities • Capability of participation in professional organizations
Strategies, cont. • Grant opportunities • Professional pay scale with merit pay • Enhanced working conditions • Leadership roles within the university and civil society • Opportunities for university partnerships and fellowships • Business and civil partnerships
Conclusion • It is important to select the candidates for study abroad carefully, taking into account predictors of success • It is often more convenient and less expensive for Afghan university teachers to earn Master’s degrees in other Asian countries • It is important to diversify the places where the faculty members receive their degrees.