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Previous articles by Maria Amiri Afghan Asylum Seekers' Troubles in Poland 04-08-2004	University of Warsaw’s Scholarship Program for Afghans in Jeopardy Renewing Educational Ties Ten young Afghans were given scholarships by the University of Warsaw, Poland. They took the challenge to go abroad and study in the fields of their interest so that, when they return to Afghanistan, they can actively participate in the reconstruction effort. The first step to re-establish ties between the universities of Warsaw and Kabul was initiated by the Polish university and was in the form of ten scholarships to female afghan students for the academic year 2002/2003. In doing so, Poland wanted to revive the tradition of student exchanges which had started in the 1960’s and continued through the end of the 1970’s. During that period, many Afghans studied in Poland. Some of the most popular fields were medicine and engineering. Parallel to that, Polish students, especially students of the Department of Oriental Studies were fascinated by the “mysterious” nature of Afghanistan. The fruitful educational ties instituted between the two countries were interrupted with the outbreak of war in Afghanistan related to the Soviet invasion of that country in December 1979. Warsaw University saw in the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan (winter 2001) the opportunity to re-establish the relationship between Kabul and Warsaw universities. Female Students First The chancellor of the University of Warsaw, Mr.Weglenski, had earmarked ten scholarships to be granted to female Afghan students. The reason for this choice was that, during the six years of Taliban rule, Afghan women and girls were prohibited from studying. Thus the University wanted in priority to give Afghan females the opportunity to continue their education. As an alternative, they had also considered evenly distributing the scholarships between both genders. Despite many efforts, Warsaw University authorities were unable to directly get in touch with their counterparts in Kabul to select the first batch of female recipients. They finally decided to go through the Afghan embassy in Warsaw, which agreed to serve as intermediary between the two universities. For better or worse, the dossier was now in the hands of the Afghan diplomats posted in the Polish capital. What Polish Scholarships? During a recent trip, I visited Kabul University. There, I was somewhat surprised to find out that Kabul University authorities didn’t have a clue about the ten scholarships granted by Warsaw and even less about any students having been selected for the purpose! When I talked to the Chancellor, professor Popal, he was astounded and irritated about the situation. Mr. Popal’s reaction were further confirmed by the Scholarships Director, Mrs. Shaima, who assured me that, among all the files that document foreign universities’ offers received and stored by her office, there was not a single mention of Warsaw University! The least I can say is that there was obviously something wrong in this picture. The institution that was supposed to send the students was not even aware of the opportunity and yet a group of Afghan students had already reached Poland and started their academic program. More Than Expected The first group arrived in Poland in autumn of 2002. But contrary to the expectations of the Poles, fourteen students had come instead of the ten agreed upon, and furthermore, and perhaps worse of all, there were only four females among them, whereas they were expecting an all female first group. At first, the University didn’t know how to deal with the unexpected situation? They could not send them back nor could increase the amount affected to the scholarships. After some discussions with the Afghan Embassy, it was decided that the Warsaw University program would go on as planned for ten students (even if they are not all females!) while the other four persons would be left to the care of the Afghan Embassy in the Polish Capital. Quick to Acclimatize The afghan students had first to get acquainted with an alien environment, where the people, the culture and the language were all new to them. But they showed great ability in getting used to the everyday realities and duties. The first year (two semesters), they concentrated on acquiring languages skills. The course was followed by a final exam, the success or failure of which determined who could stay and would had to return home. Finally, in October 2003, all Afghan students, except one female, who had decided to return to her family and to continue her education there, started their – real – studies, choosing their areas of predilection. One girl chose management and marketing, two others opted for International Relations, while male students picked computer sciences, maths, English or pharmacy. They have been in Poland for a year and half now. Most of them have already acquired a good command in Polish. This past January 2004, they passed their first winter term exams with good grades overall. They study hard and their professors are satisfied with them. Warsaw University provides them with accommodation and financial support to the amount of about $200 per month. It is not luxury considering Poland’s cost of living, but it is certainly enough for a frugal student life. Repairing the Damage Done How future collaboration between the University of Warsaw and Kabul will look like? It is premature to say it considering the damage done at the start of the program. Initial misunderstandings and complication have led the Polish side to put on hold the Afghan scholarship program that was to benefit ten students every year. Warsaw University insists the suspension is temporary and it wants to continue the program and that it is only a matter of time before it is back on track. Communication, Communication May be, to help the program “get back on track”, there is a need for both universities, Kabul and Warsaw, to deal directly with one another, without any intermediary, so that those who should be the beneficiaries – young Afghans eager to learn – are not punished because of others’ mishandlings. //© Maria Amiri -2004.//

News - Opinion - Analysis

Previous articles by Maria Amiri

Afghan Asylum Seekers' Troubles in Poland
04-08-2004

University of Warsaw’s Scholarship Program for Afghans in Jeopardy

Renewing Educational Ties

Ten young Afghans were given scholarships by the University of Warsaw, Poland. They took the challenge to go abroad and study in the fields of their interest so that, when they return to Afghanistan, they can actively participate in the reconstruction effort.

The first step to re-establish ties between the universities of Warsaw and Kabul was initiated by the Polish university and was in the form of ten scholarships to female afghan students for the academic year 2002/2003.

In doing so, Poland wanted to revive the tradition of student exchanges which had started in the 1960’s and continued through the end of the 1970’s. During that period, many Afghans studied in Poland. Some of the most popular fields were medicine and engineering. Parallel to that, Polish students, especially students of the Department of Oriental Studies were fascinated by the “mysterious” nature of Afghanistan. The fruitful educational ties instituted between the two countries were interrupted with the outbreak of war in Afghanistan related to the Soviet invasion of that country in December 1979.

Warsaw University saw in the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan (winter 2001) the opportunity to re-establish the relationship between Kabul and Warsaw universities.

Female Students First

The chancellor of the University of Warsaw, Mr.Weglenski, had earmarked ten scholarships to be granted to female Afghan students. The reason for this choice was that, during the six years of Taliban rule, Afghan women and girls were prohibited from studying. Thus the University wanted in priority to give Afghan females the opportunity to continue their education. As an alternative, they had also considered evenly distributing the scholarships between both genders.

Despite many efforts, Warsaw University authorities were unable to directly get in touch with their counterparts in Kabul to select the first batch of female recipients. They finally decided to go through the Afghan embassy in Warsaw, which agreed to serve as intermediary between the two universities. For better or worse, the dossier was now in the hands of the Afghan diplomats posted in the Polish capital.

What Polish Scholarships?

During a recent trip, I visited Kabul University. There, I was somewhat surprised to find out that Kabul University authorities didn’t have a clue about the ten scholarships granted by Warsaw and even less about any students having been selected for the purpose! When I talked to the Chancellor, professor Popal, he was astounded and irritated about the situation. Mr. Popal’s reaction were further confirmed by the Scholarships Director, Mrs. Shaima, who assured me that, among all the files that document foreign universities’ offers received and stored by her office, there was not a single mention of Warsaw University!

The least I can say is that there was obviously something wrong in this picture. The institution that was supposed to send the students was not even aware of the opportunity and yet a group of Afghan students had already reached Poland and started their academic program.

More Than Expected

The first group arrived in Poland in autumn of 2002. But contrary to the expectations of the Poles, fourteen students had come instead of the ten agreed upon, and furthermore, and perhaps worse of all, there were only four females among them, whereas they were expecting an all female first group.

At first, the University didn’t know how to deal with the unexpected situation? They could not send them back nor could increase the amount affected to the scholarships. After some discussions with the Afghan Embassy, it was decided that the Warsaw University program would go on as planned for ten students (even if they are not all females!) while the other four persons would be left to the care of the Afghan Embassy in the Polish Capital.

Quick to Acclimatize

The afghan students had first to get acquainted with an alien environment, where the people, the culture and the language were all new to them. But they showed great ability in getting used to the everyday realities and duties.

The first year (two semesters), they concentrated on acquiring languages skills. The course was followed by a final exam, the success or failure of which determined who could stay and would had to return home. Finally, in October 2003, all Afghan students, except one female, who had decided to return to her family and to continue her education there, started their – real – studies, choosing their areas of predilection. One girl chose management and marketing, two others opted for International Relations, while male students picked computer sciences, maths, English or pharmacy.

They have been in Poland for a year and half now. Most of them have already acquired a good command in Polish. This past January 2004, they passed their first winter term exams with good grades overall. They study hard and their professors are satisfied with them.

Warsaw University provides them with accommodation and financial support to the amount of about $200 per month. It is not luxury considering Poland’s cost of living, but it is certainly enough for a frugal student life.

Repairing the Damage Done

How future collaboration between the University of Warsaw and Kabul will look like? It is premature to say it considering the damage done at the start of the program. Initial misunderstandings and complication have led the Polish side to put on hold the Afghan scholarship program that was to benefit ten students every year. Warsaw University insists the suspension is temporary and it wants to continue the program and that it is only a matter of time before it is back on track.

Communication, Communication

May be, to help the program “get back on track”, there is a need for both universities, Kabul and Warsaw, to deal directly with one another, without any intermediary, so that those who should be the beneficiaries – young Afghans eager to learn – are not punished because of others’ mishandlings. //© Maria Amiri -2004.//