Afghan Higher Education Minister Emphasizes Improving Quality of Private Universities

Sheikh Neda Mohammad Nadim, Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed Minister of Higher Education, stressed the importance of enhancing the academic process and raising the quality of education at private universities during a consultative meeting with officials and representatives of private universities in the country’s central region.

According to published information, Mr. Nadim acknowledged the significant role of private universities in strengthening the education system and claimed that the quality of education in higher education centers has improved, with programs aligned to Islamic values and labor market needs. This comes amid serious concerns over the quality and equitable access to higher education, especially for women, following the Taliban’s return to power and the wide-ranging restrictions imposed on the education system.

During the meeting, private university officials assured the ministry of providing quality educational services and shared their challenges and proposals with the Minister of Higher Education. The ministry’s leadership pledged to take action to address these issues—promises that have been made repeatedly in the past but whose implementation remains questionable to residents and the academic community.