American University of Afghanistan
| دانشگاه امریکایی | |
| Type | Independent, self-governing, not-for-profit university operating on the US liberal arts model |
|---|---|
| Established | 2006 |
| Founder | Sharif Fayez |
| Chairman | Dr. Akram Fazel (Board of Trustees, Chairman) |
| President | Dr. Mark A. English |
| Vice-president | John Pinna (Acting) |
| Provost | Dr. Timor Saffary |
| Students | 1,151 students currently enrolled in degree programs |
| Location |
Kabul, Kabul Province, Afghanistan 34°28′32″N 69°7′34″W / 34.47556°N 69.12611°W |
| Nickname | AUAF |
| Mascot | Simorgh |
| Website | http://www.auaf.edu.af/ |
The American University of Afghanistan (Dari: دانشگاه امریکایی افغانستان) (AUAF) is Afghanistan’s first private, not-for-profit institution of higher education. Chartered in 2004, AUAF offers an MBA program, four undergraduate degree programs, and continuing education and professional development training (the Professional Development Institute).
The idea for AUAF began in 2002 with Dr. Sharif Fayez, then Afghan Minister of Higher Education. During his time as minister, he proposed the creation of Afghanistan’s first-ever private university. The following year in an address before UNESCO, United States First Lady Laura Bush announced her support of educational initiatives in Afghanistan. The United States Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, likely inspired from his own experience at The American University of Beirut, encouraged the establishment of The American University of Afghanistan.
The Afghanistan High Commission for Private Investment offered leases on two parcels of land totaling 55.354 acres (224,010 m2) in the Darulaman area of Kabul until 2103. In addition, the non-profit American University of Afghanistan corporation was chartered in the State of Delaware, under the leadership of Dr. Jacob van Lutsenburg Maas, who later became the non-profit corporation's President, to receive these leases. (In 2007, the non-profit corporation became a tax-exempt 501(c) 3 organization).
A charter for the establishment of The American University of Afghanistan was granted on July 26, 2004 by the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education, under Article 46, Chapter 2 of the new Afghan Constitution and Article 445 of the Civil Code. A feasibility study was initiated by the Coordinating Council of International Universities, based in the United States, to recommend an institutional framework.
In December 2004, the inaugural meeting of the Board of Trustees convened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where Dr. Fayez was elected president pro tempore, serving in this capacity until April 2007, when he was named “founder” by the new president. He continues to lobby the Afghan government on the university's behalf, serves as an adviser to the current president, and maintains an office on campus.
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