Professional Development Centers

All the Eleven established PDCs have been functioning and used for academic purposes throughout this quarter (Since the one year extension started). Faculty members have been using the PDCs for doing online research, computer training, creating academic papers, reading hard-copy resources, compilation of academic articles , holding meetings and other academic events.  

In additions, the PDCs served other HEP streams (TPD, MoHE Capacity building, ELP and M&E) by making arrangements and providing space and facilities for key trainings, workshops, and meetings. PDC staff and facilities also assisted participants in preparing and computerizing their individual assignments from these courses and providing consultations. The faculty members have been utilizing the PDC printing/copying and binding facilities with greater numbers when doing online research, creating academic and teaching materials and preparing individual assignments of trainings. 

During the period under review, a number of different people and organization paid visits from the PDCs. The major visitors were DM of MoHE, USAID, World Bank, and University of Washington.

 There will be four new PDCs established in Paktia, Takhar, Bamyan, and Baghlan. The initial paper work, the room selection, and the designs have been done. The procurement of goods and staff recruitments will be done next. These centers will be established and opened in June – July, 2011. 

Khost University has agreed contributing their existing 45 KVA generator and internet facilities for the establishment of the PDC. HEP will closely monitor the successfulness of the EL course there to which the establishment of the PDC was made conditional. PDC Manager had meetings with members of IDTs from Takhar, Khost, Bamyan, Baghlan, and Paktia in which they requested for creating a PDC or providing internet, generator and office equipment facilities. It was agreed that a visit should be launched to each of these two universities.  

Computer Literacy Education

Computer training has been continued in all PDCs to train faculty members in computer literacy (Ms. Windows, Ms. Word, Ms. Excel and Ms. PowerPoint). Faculty members are increasingly using the gained computer literacy skills in their daily work. These skills help them undertake online research and prepare up-to-date teaching material for their classes. 

Wherever, the training capacity allows, the Computer Trainers have been enrolling members of other faculties, since education faculty members in some universities have been completed all computer courses; to use the training resources in an optimum manner. Moreover, in Kandahar, Maimana and Jalalabad the deans have requested enrolling female students to the computer courses.