Introduction to the Department of Turkish Language and Literature

Introduction to the Department of Turkish Language and Literature

1. General Introduction

The Department of Turkish Language and Literature was established in 2014 (1393 Solar Hijri) within Kabul Education University and operates as a specialized academic department in the field of Turkish language and literature. The department was established to address the educational needs of the country, particularly by preparing qualified professional teachers and specialized academic personnel.

Throughout its years of operation, the department has played an important role in training specialized human resources, strengthening academic and research capacities, and expanding scientific and cultural cooperation with relevant institutions.

The department organizes its academic activities for regular students through a structured eight-semester undergraduate program and is committed to training professional teachers at the bachelor's degree level. Its curriculum encompasses both theoretical and practical components, equipping students with appropriate professional competencies in pedagogy and scientific research.

At present, the department's teaching activities are carried out by academic staff holding master's and bachelor's degrees, with academic ranks including Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, and lower academic ranks in accordance with the Afghan higher education system.

2. History of the Department

The Department of Turkish Language and Literature is one of the six departments of the Faculty of Language and Literature at Kabul Education University. It was established in 2014 (1393 Solar Hijri) in response to the educational needs of the time and the growing demand for Turkish-language instruction in public schools and universities across Afghanistan. Following its establishment, the department commenced its academic and research activities.

Currently, approximately 134 students are enrolled in the department, studying Turkish language and literature in two shifts: morning and afternoon.

The department consistently strives to conduct its academic and research activities in accordance with contemporary educational requirements while respecting Islamic and national values and cultural traditions. It also undertakes appropriate measures to ensure effective, standardized, and high-quality teaching.

To achieve its academic, educational, and research objectives, enhance the scientific and professional qualifications of its faculty members, and promote the holistic development of students, the department seeks to provide a suitable academic environment that enables it to deliver better and more effective services to society.

Aligning the department with contemporary academic standards, ensuring its continuous development, and strengthening the scientific and professional competencies of its faculty members are among its principal responsibilities.

3. Academic Staff

The Department of Turkish Language and Literature currently has five academic staff members holding master's and bachelor's degrees and academic ranks that include Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, and other corresponding ranks within the Afghan higher education system.

The department's faculty members are young, capable, and possess considerable potential for further professional development. They are familiar with modern educational technologies and are committed to improving teaching quality, developing students' academic competencies, and achieving the department's academic objectives.

4. Vision and Mission

4.1. Vision

The Department of Turkish Language and Literature aspires to train qualified and professional personnel in Turkish language and literature, preserve and develop linguistic and cultural heritage, and enhance the quality of education and scientific research, guided by Islamic values and academic standards.

4.2. Mission

The mission of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature is to train qualified and committed professionals through the provision of standardized education, continuous curriculum development, effective use of educational technologies, and the advancement of scientific research.

Through knowledge production and expanded academic cooperation, the department seeks to make a meaningful contribution to improving the quality of Afghanistan's higher education system.

The department also aims to provide nationally and internationally recognized academic programs and updated curricula to prepare professional and specialized teachers who can meet the needs of schools and higher education institutions throughout the country.

4.3. Core Commitments

The department is committed to:

Providing bachelor's-level education in Turkish language and literature for secondary school graduates.
Prioritizing the continuous improvement of teaching and learning quality.
Developing academic relationships and cooperation with national and international academic institutions through the university.
Supporting equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
Developing the department into a recognized center for teaching, learning, and research in Turkish language and literature.
Providing updated and standardized curricula for the preparation of professional teachers.

5. Major Goals and Objectives

The principal goals and objectives of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature are as follows:

Providing standardized instruction in the Turkish language.
Training qualified academic personnel for Turkology departments at universities in Kabul and other provinces.
Preparing professional teachers for schools where Turkish is taught as a foreign language.
Strengthening academic, educational, and cultural relations between the friendly and brotherly countries of Afghanistan and Türkiye.
Introducing and developing curricula for professional teacher education in accordance with scientific advancements, modern technologies, and contemporary teaching methodologies.
Providing comprehensive, high-quality education under the credit-based system and implementing curricula that respond to the educational needs of the country.
Enhancing the academic and professional capacities of schoolteachers throughout Afghanistan.

5.1. Research-Related Objectives

Training specialists and researchers in the teaching and education of Turkish language and literature.
Expanding knowledge and skills related to the protection of natural heritage, including biodiversity.

5.2. Objectives Related to the Department's Role in Society

Empowering students to make informed decisions in pursuit of a sustainable future.
Developing students into responsible, active, and constructive global citizens.
Encouraging students to contribute to the advancement of academic knowledge, linguistic and cultural heritage, and social values.

6. Activities and Achievements

The major achievements of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature can be summarized as follows:

Reviewing and revising the department's academic study plan in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education.
Signing an academic and cultural cooperation protocol with the Yunus Emre Institute.
Signing a cooperation protocol with the Turkish Maarif Foundation in Kabul.
Renovating two master's program classrooms with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
Renovating the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs with TİKA's support.
Renovating the Office of Islamic Culture with TİKA's support.
Renovating the office of the Directorate responsible for academic staff with TİKA's support.
Renovating the office used for academic staff records and personnel files with TİKA's support.
Establishing a well-equipped library for the department.
Establishing the department head's office.
Equipping faculty members' offices.
Equipping classrooms with air-conditioning systems.
Creating opportunities for faculty members to pursue master's and doctoral studies abroad to enhance their academic qualifications.
Improving order and discipline throughout the teaching and learning process.
Reviewing, revising, and updating lecture notes.
Printing and publishing translated textbooks for students.
Ensuring the timely completion of academic promotions for faculty members.
Preparing a departmental catalogue for the Department of Turkish Language and Literature.
Strengthening the student-centered teaching and learning system.
Preparing and updating the department's strategic, operational, and implementation plans.
Organizing quarterly academic conferences delivered by faculty members.
Holding meetings with class representatives to identify and address classroom challenges.

7. Future Plans and Development Priorities

To further expand its academic and educational activities, the Department of Turkish Language and Literature has identified the following priorities:

Establishing a language laboratory at the Faculty of Language and Literature with the support of relevant partner institutions.
Establishing a conference hall at the Faculty of Language and Literature in cooperation with relevant partners.
Facilitating opportunities for faculty members to pursue master's and doctoral studies in countries across the region and around the world.
Establishing a master's degree program in Turkish language and literature.
Continuously developing and updating the academic curriculum in accordance with the country's labor market and educational needs.
Increasing the number of classrooms to accommodate more students.
Establishing a fully equipped language laboratory specifically for the department.
Conducting field-based and applied research.
Authoring and translating books in the field of literature.
Establishing a systematic filing and archiving system for administrative documents.
Ensuring the orderly and efficient completion of daily administrative tasks.
Further equipping the departmental library and expanding its academic resources.
Pursuing additional cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with international universities to support the department's growth and development.

8. Organizational Structure of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature

The department's organizational structure consists of the following academic staff members:

Karimullah Oyghagh, Assistant Professor (Pohanyar) — Head of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature.
Shamsuddin Urtāq, Assistant Professor (Pokhanmal) — Department Secretary.
Najibullah Bigzad, Associate Professor (Pohandoy) — Department Member.
Abdulnasir Siraji, Assistant Professor (Pokhanmal) — Department Member.
Inayatullah Faizi, Candidate Assistant Professor (Namzad Pohanyar) Department Member