The Faculty of Languages and Literature
A Brief Review of the History of the Faculty of Languages and Literature
The Faculty of Languages and Literature was initially one of the faculties of the Teacher Training Academy. In 1361 A.H. (Solar), when the Teacher Training Academy changed its name to the Kabul Pedagogical Institute, this faculty functioned under the title of the Departments of Languages and Literature, and in 1364 A.H. (Solar) it was upgraded to the status of a faculty.
In 1374 A.H. (Solar), due to the urgent need for Arabic language teachers in schools, the Arabic Department was established within this faculty. As a result of the efforts and dedication of the faculty members and the leadership board, and in accordance with the faculty’s development plan, the Turkish Department officially began its academic activities in 1393 A.H. (Solar) within the framework of the Faculty of Literature. Fortunately, twenty Turkish students were admitted to the first cohort of the Turkish Department.
In 1381 A.H. (Solar), when the Kabul Pedagogical Institute was renamed Kabul University of Education, the Faculty of Languages and Literature continued to function as one of the active faculties of the university. At present, this faculty consists of six departments: Pashto, Dari, Russian, Arabic, English, and Turkish. It trains professional and competent teachers for high schools, schools, and teacher training institutions at both central and provincial levels in the relevant fields.
Currently, the faculty has 50 academic staff members who provide instruction to 1,833 students, including female students, in pre-service, in-service, and evening programs.
In its development plan, the Faculty of Languages and Literature envisaged the establishment of a Master’s program in Arabic. The Master’s program in Arabic has now been fully completed and is ready to admit students.
All academic staff members of this faculty hold Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Out of the 50 faculty members, 8 hold doctoral degrees, and 3 have been sent abroad to pursue doctoral studies. It is expected that in the near future, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Higher Education and partner institutions that have signed memoranda of understanding in the field of education, all academic staff of this faculty will become highly qualified doctorate holders.
When the University of Education was formerly known as the Kabul Pedagogical Institute, the Faculty of Languages and Literature offered Master’s-level education only in English through in-service programs and presented well-trained teachers to society. Currently, Master’s programs in English, Dari, Pashto, and Arabic are being conducted with very high quality for instructors from both central and provincial areas, in cooperation with faculty members of the English, Dari, Pashto, and Arabic departments of Kabul University of Education.
Vision
The Faculty of Languages and Literature, guided by Islamic values and academic standards, strives through teaching, scientific research, and the effective use of educational technology to educate and develop qualified professionals, promote linguistic and cultural heritage, expand academic cooperation, enhance the quality of the higher education system, and strengthen the academic standing of the University.
Mission
The Faculty of Languages and Literature is committed to educating dedicated and qualified professionals through the provision of standard academic programs, the development of scientific research, the updating of curricula, the use of modern technologies, and the enhancement of academic and professional capacities. Through knowledge production and the provision of research services, the Faculty seeks to provide a foundation for the growth and development of language and literature within the country’s higher education system.
Core Values
1. Commitment to Islamic principles and values;
2. Respect for the principle of meritocracy;
3. Promotion of a sense of responsibility among faculty members, administrative staff, and students;
4. Ensuring justice and transparency;
5. Avoidance of all forms of discrimination;
6. Recognition and appreciation of the initiatives and innovations of faculty members, administrative staff, and students;
7. Respect for the linguistic, cultural, and intellectual diversity of Afghan society;
8. Continuous development of the higher education system and support for the production and publication of scholarly works within the framework of Islamic principles and values;
9. Effective use of technology in teaching and research;
10. Adherence to scientific principles and standards in research.
Strategic Objectives of the Faculty
The strategic objectives of the Faculty of Languages and Literature include improving the administration and leadership system, developing academic programs, increasing access to higher education, establishing appropriate infrastructure, and advancing scientific and research activities. These objectives are outlined as follows:
1. To develop the Faculty in the areas of research, knowledge production, and innovation;
2. To improve the administration and leadership system and combat corruption;
3. To design, develop, and review curricula in accordance with labor market needs;
4. To establish and develop new academic programs at different levels in response to the needs of society and the labor market;
5. To develop e-learning;
6. To develop infrastructure;
7. To provide capacity-building opportunities for faculty members, administrative staff, and students;
8. To review and standardize regulations, procedures, and policies at the Faculty level;
9. To establish academic partnerships with reputable national and international academic institutions;
10. To provide high-quality educational and research services.
Academic Activities and Achievements of the Faculty of Languages and Literature
- Processing and completion of academic promotion dossiers of faculty members of Kabul University of Education and provincial universities.
- Registration of curricula and students’ grades in the HEMIS system.
- Preparation and approval process of the Master’s curriculum in Arabic.
- Preparation of daily and evening class schedules.
- Preparation of the examination schedule for the Autumn Semester 1401 (Solar Hijri).
- Renewal of the nine faculty committees.
- Processing of appointment and separation dossiers of newly appointed faculty members (Dari, Pashto, and English).
- Organization of student paper presentation programs by students of all six departments.
- Preliminary work for the establishment of the Students’ Academic Journal.
- Processing and evaluation of academic articles and conference papers through the Research Committee.
- Nomination of faculty members to the National Examination Committee for preparing Master’s-level examination questions.
- Preparation and revision of strategic, operational, and implementation plans.
- Review and evaluation of departmental curricula (English and Arabic).
- Organization of poetry recitation (Mushaira) programs at departmental levels.
- Conducting literary gatherings at the departmental level.
- Revision of course syllabi for a number of subjects.
- Preparation and issuance of transcripts in Dari and English for graduates.
- Processing and distribution of diplomas to graduates.
- Compilation and organization of summary results for various literature classes.
- Assignment of monograph topics and academic supervisors for students.
- Preparation and organization of monograph writing timelines.
- Cooperation with faculty members in entering grades into the HEMIS system through the E-Learning Committee.
- Establishment of a library, resource center, and language laboratories.
- Organization of orientation programs for newly admitted students.
- Finalization of curricula through academic clusters.
- Preparation of proposals for income-generating programs.
- Successful implementation of Master’s programs in Pashto, Dari, and English.
- Organization of literary, cultural, and poetry programs at the university level.
- Administration of English language proficiency placement tests for the establishment of language courses for faculty members.
- Timely distribution of transcripts to students.
- Revision and innovation in lecture notes.
- Printing and publication of authored textbooks for students.
- Preparation of catalogues for the faculty and its six departments.
- Strengthening of the learner-centered education system.
- Promotion of OBE and SCL programs at the faculty level.
- Delivery of honorary academic conferences by faculty members.
- Establishment of communication with student representatives through WhatsApp.
Future Plan
- Establishment of a comprehensive database for academic and teaching documents.
- Systematic filing and archiving of teaching-related documents.
- Preparation of the annual work plan for the year 1403 (Solar Hijri).
- Organization of literary gatherings and academic events.
- Proper management and execution of daily administrative affairs.
- Establishment of a Master’s program in Arabic.
- Development of a methodology program for teachers.
- Establishment of departmental libraries for all six departments.
- Revision of the curricula of the six departments in accordance with societal needs.
- Establishment of English language courses for faculty members of the six departments of the Faculty of Languages and Literature.
- Development of partnerships and relations with institutions and embassies to enhance and update teaching programs.
- Full equipping of language laboratories for the six departments.
- Establishment of a fully equipped methodology room with essential facilities.
- Preparation and delivery of micro-teaching lessons by faculty members of the six departments.
- Nomination of faculty members to the Afghan Ex program.
- Revision of chapters and course contents of the six departments.
- Review and updating of course syllabi in accordance with the demands of the modern era and the labor market.
- Efforts to conclude contracts and memoranda of understanding with international universities to promote the growth and development of the faculty.
- Preparation of semester teaching and examination schedules.