Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Higher Education …€¦ · expanded into four more universities (Bamyan, Kabul, Balkh and Jozjan). These centers will be established by 2019

HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page i

Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE)

Higher Education Development Program (HEDP)

Operations and Monitoring Support Team (OMST)

Quarterly Progress Monitoring Report

Reporting Period: August-September 2018

Reporting Date: 03 October 2018

Submitted By: Operation and Monitoring Support Team

HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page ii

Contents Acronym ...................................................................................................................................................... iii

A. Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. 1

B) Component One Activities: ...................................................................................................................... 2

Theme1.1: Increasing Access to Priority Degree Program for Economic Development ...................... 2

Theme1.2: Modernizing and Enhancing the Quality of Teaching and Learning .................................. 3

Theme1.3: Improving the Qualification and Skills of Academic and Technical Staff Members ......... 5

Theme 1.4: Strengthening Governance, Quality Assurance and Accreditation .................................... 6

Theme 1.5: Stimulating Development Oriented Research (DLI) ......................................................... 9

C) Component Two: Program Operations and Technical Support ............................................................... 9

Social and Environmental Safeguard .................................................................................................... 9

Procurement ........................................................................................................................................ 10

Physical Infrastructure Projects .......................................................................................................... 10

Human Resource Management ........................................................................................................... 11

Communication ................................................................................................................................... 11

Internal Control ................................................................................................................................... 12

Monitoring and Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 12

Financial Management: ....................................................................................................................... 12

D) Challenges.............................................................................................................................................. 13

E) Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 13

Annex A: Intermediate Outcome Indicators Status for 2018 ..................................................................... 14

HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page iii

Acronym ANASTU Afghanistan National Agriculture Science and Technology University DLI Disbursement Linked Indicator ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework

HEDP Higher Education Development Project ICT Information and Communication Technology IQA Internal Quality Assurance IQAU Internal Quality Assurance Unit IT Information Technology

KMU’s Kabul Medical University

QAA Quality Assurance and Accreditation

KPU Kabul Polytechnic University

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MoHE Ministry of Higher Education

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

NEPA National Environmental Protection Agency

OBE Outcome Based Education

OMST Operation Monitoring and Support Team

QAAD Quality Assurance and Accreditation Directorate

SCL Student-Centered Learning

SIDP Strategic Institutional Development Plan

SZU Shaikh Zayed University (Khost)

WB World Bank

HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 1

A. Executive Summary This report presents the up to date information on the progress of higher education development

program of MoHE, covering the months of August and September 2018. The program has almost

achieved the targets set for 2018, except the APRs and technical trainings. During the reporting

period, third party verification has been done on the completion of three DLIs by 2017. The

consultancy has shared the report of first DLI (female enrollment), the report shows that 5,708

female students were enrolled in priority degree programs in 24 public universities, verified by

university data, while the MoHE data shows that this enrollment number is 6,728 female students.

By anyway, the report confirms that the DLI has been met. The final report covering all three DLIs

will be shared soon.

In 2018, the number of reserved seats in priority disciplines for female students has expanded from

4,670 in 2017 to 4,962, along with the inclusion of Paktya University. The Kankor results were

announced early in August and the net enrollment data will be reported in the next reporting period.

However, our prediction is more optimistic on the number of enrollment and it would be more than

the target set for 2018 (4,750) based on the revised PIM. The Counselling centers have been

expanded into four more universities (Bamyan, Kabul, Balkh and Jozjan). These centers will be

established by 2019. In addition, as a follow up of HEDP, MoHE has considered 4 positions for

each counselling center in the plan of 1398.

In the area of OBE-SCL, the program facilitated the OBE-SCL workshop at Kardan private

university for 30 participants but 27 could manage to attend on regular basis and achieved the

certificates. During the period under review, HEDP conducted task force workshop for the review

and revision of the Credit System and Examination Bylaws based on OBE-SCL system. The

participants were 9 OBE-SCL champions and one academic faculty staff from each of the Kabul

based universities. On the PDCs the update is that nine PDCs have been established and completed.

These PDCs will soon get handed over to Universities.

The current status of ICTs is that Out of seven ICT projects started in 2017, five projects have been

completed so far. Those are the ICTs of Shahid Rabani, Khost, Ghazni, Paktya and Kunar

universities. By this and according to the revised PIM, the target of 2018 for ICT (5) has been

achieved. During the reporting period, a consultancy has conducted TPV for Ghazni, Faryab, KEU

and Khost universities ICT centers. The program continued with the process of scholar’s

placement at their universities. Out of 127 scholarships awarded in 2018, 111 candidates have been

placed in their universities and have started the courses, while the others are still awaiting for

issuance their visas.

The establishment of four IQAUs at Nangarhar, Alberoni, Herat and Khost universities are

completed, while the five other IQAUs are at different stages towards the completion. Regarding

external per review, the QAAD and HEDP are in contact with 15 universities (seven public and

eight private universities) for the third phase of the external QAA review. So far Kandahar

University, KU, KMU, American University and Kardan univeriy have gotten full accreditation

with the professional and technical assistance of HEDP, through the QAAD.

During the reporting period, 10 universities with the composition of 7 public and 3 private,

conducted their SIDPs to the leadership of MoHE. Out of these 10, the SIDPs of nine universities

were approved. In addition, the representatives from the three universities (KU, KEU, KMU), who

had gotten their SIDP’s approved in late 2016, were invited to report on their APRs. It was agreed

that the universities will send back their revised APR’s after addressing the participants’

feedbacks.


B) Component One Activities: Theme1.1: Increasing Access to Priority Degree Program for Economic Development

In 2018, the number of reserved seats in priority disciplines for female students has expanded from

4670 in 2017 to 4962, along with the inclusion of Paktya University. The Kankor results were

announced early in August and the net enrollment data will be reported in the next reporting period,

however, our prediction is more optimistic on the number of enrollment and it would be more than

the target set for 2018 (4,750). During the reporting period, the TPV conducted the verification of

female enrolment in 2017. The report shows that the target of 2017 (4,500) has been achieved and

verified by the third party consultancy.

In the last report, we had reported that 100 disadvantaged female scholarships were awarded to the

disadvantaged students in KMU and KPU. During this reporting period, HEDP followed with

finance and admin directorate of MoHE to proceed the allotment and start the stipends distribution

for the mentioned students. The allotment has been proceeded and stipend will be distributed

starting from September 2018 onward. Through this initiative, MoHE would like to promote

female retentions from disadvantaged background. In FY2019, the disadvantaged female

scholarships will be expanded into six universities (four KUs, along with Herat and Mazar

universities). The program supported MoHE in the planning and initiating orientation programs

for the new enrolled students in the provinces and Kabul universities. The Orientation program

was planned in 10 universities by MoHE and technical support was provided by HEDP. These 10

universities are Kabul University, Kabul Education University, Kandahar University, Jawzjan

University, Herat University, Balkh University, Khost University, Ghazni University, Nangarhar

University and Paktiya University. Most of these universities have conducted the program and

shared the reports with Gender Department of MoHE.

As a measure to promote female enrolment in public universities, the program continued on

expanding the child care centers into more public universities. Two child care centers were already

established and functioning in Kabul and Kabul medical universities by MohE and HEDP, while

the centers will be expanded into Bamyan and Takhar universities. The projects of establishing

child care centers in Bamyan and Takhar are with procurement directorate of MoHE and still not

awarded. It’s expected that the projects will get awarded in next reporting period. In addition, the

program expanded the establishing of lavoratories in public universities. Seven lavatories for

female students in Badakhshan, Jawzjan, Takhar, SZU, Parwan, Al- Bironi and Nangarhar

universities were established and two others will be established in Ghazni and Paktiya universities.

The contracts have been awarded during this reporting period. Regarding the Counselling center,

HEDP followed with MoHE to allocate two tashkeel positions for KEU’s Counselling center. This

center has been established in 2018 and requires staff to run the center. The Counselling centers

have been expanded into four more universities (Bamyan, Kabul, Balkh and Jozjan). These centers

will be established by 2019. MoHE allocated 4 positions for each counselling center in plan of

1398 which is going to be approved in coming months. Moreover, the concept of counselling

centers has been shared with Office of the President and two meetings were conducted with team.

The AOP team would support MoHE for Tashkil positions as the First Lady herself is much

interested in this concept.


As a result of HEDP follow up with MoHE and sharing the previous report, The Badakhshan

University has hired drivers for the mini buses and now they are being used properly. These mini

buses were distributed by HEDP to pick and drop the female students from their residence to

universities and vice versa. Ghazni and Daikundi universities are still not using the mini buses due

to no staff and operation cost. The operation cost is included in 1398 operation plan.

Theme1.2: Modernizing and Enhancing the Quality of Teaching and Learning

Theme 1.2.1: Outcome Based Education and Student-Centered Learning

HEDP has already met the target of 2018 which is 500 academic staff trained in and practicing

outcome-based education and student centered learning. The program has trained 1,231 academic

staff so far in 24 public universities and more than 10 Higher Education Institutes. HEDP has

designed a Questionnaire Survey to identify the rate of OBE-SCL practices at the universities and

higher education institutes by the targeted academic staff. As per World Bank Team request in the

previous mission, this time the Verification of OBE-SCL practice will be inclusive of all trained

faculty staff from 2016, 2017 and 2018. The result of the survey will be shared in the next reporting

period. As it was reported that the OBE-SCL workshops at Kandahar, Paktika and ANASTU

universities were conducted in the former reporting period, therefore, at this stage the supporting

documents, reports of these workshops were collected and the certificates will be distributed soon.

During the reporting period, HEDP successfully

conducted the OBE-SCL workshop at Kardan

University from 16th July to 14th August. In this

workshop, 35 academic faculty staff were

registered. It is worth mentioning that 27

participants managed to attend regularly and be

eligible to obtain a Certificate of Completion. The

Workshop report, attendance, participants’

information list and photos were received. Kardan

University will hold a ceremony to award the

certificates to the participants in presence of

MoHE and HEDP staff.

On the PDCs, the update is that nine PDCs have been established and completed. These PDCs will

soon get handed over to Universities in presence of an appointed council comprising staff from

Academic Programs Development Directorate, Plan & Policy Directorate and IT Directorate.

These PDCs will also be officially inaugurated by MoHE and HEDP. Moreover, the Capacity

development plan for PDC Leads was shared with UTM Malaysia, Lovely Professional University

India, Chulalongkorn University of Thailand, and Amity University. Amity University & LPU

have informed us that they are working on a proposal for the tailored Training Program for the

PDC leads capacity development. Once, we receive those proposals, we will share them with

MoHE. After sharing the revised PDC Specifications and Infrastructures project documents with

Bamyan, Alberoni and Kunduz Universities, HEDP asked the 3 universities leadership to assign a

technical and engineering team to do a survey of the Renovation part of the space allocated for

PDC establishment.

The universities conducted the survey and shared the renovation specifications and details with

HEDP. HEDP shared those renovation details with the Engineering team of Plan & Policy

Directorate at MoHE for the final review.

Group work, OBE-SCL workshop, Kardan Private

University, August, 2018


During the period under review, HEDP conducted task force workshop for the review and revision

of the Credit System and Examination Bylaws

based on OBE-SCL system in August 6-7.

The participants were 9 OBE-SCL

champions, one academic faculty staff from

each of the Kabul based universities, the

director of Academic Programs Development

and the Senior Teaching & Learning

Manager. The participants worked in groups.

The suggestions and comments made by the

participants were documented during the

workshop. Those suggestions and comments

for the revision of the Credit System and

Exam Bylaws were shared with H.Es. DM for

Students Affairs and DM for Academic

Affairs for the final review and approval. It is sad to say that the centric emphasis from the

participants of the Task Force Workshop which was on the revision of the Assessment and Passing

Grade was not accepted by H.E. DM for Students Affairs as he claimed that the proposed revised

assessment and passing grade will not suit the current situation. He added that probably in the next

6-12 months, we can review and revise the two bylaws again and modify it further. It is worth

mentioning that nearly 85-90% of the suggestions and comments made by the participants of the

Task Force Workshop for the revision of the two bylaws were accepted by H.E. DM for Students

Affairs. The Task Force Workshop report and the suggested comments for bylaws revision are

already shared with World Bank Team.

Balkh university leadership promised to facilitate the delayed OBE-SCL workshop during August.

However, with many follow-ups and communication with Balkh Leadership University and the

OBE-SCL champions, the workshop did not happen due to administration and logistic issues. They

claimed that in August the new semester begins and the academic faculty staff will be busy in

preparation for their courses. Hence, the Balkh university leadership and champions promised to

conduct the OBE-SCL workshop during Jan-Feb 2019.

Theme 1.2.2: Information and Communications Technology Enhanced Teaching and Learning

According to the revised PIM, HEDP should establish 5 functional ICT centers by December 2018

in order to meet the target of 2019 DLI. From the other hands, the last aid memoir of the World

Bank mission states that by 2018, at least seven ICTs should be established and functionalized.

The current status of ICTs is that Out of seven ICT projects started in 2017, five projects have been

completed so far. Those are the ICTs of Shahid Rabani, Khost, Ghazni, Paktya and Kunar

universities. During the reporting period, a consultancy has conducted TPV for Ghazni, Faryab,

KEU and Khost universities ICT centers.

In the last report, Takhar ICT center was reported 100% completed, while in the reporting period,

a delegation of MoHE assessed the ICT center and reported that the center was not completed.

They have mentioned several items that has not been provided by the contractors. The program

has started on establishing three additional ICT centers in Bamyan, Kabul Polytechnic and Kabul

Medical universities to achieve the target of 2019 for DLI#3. The specification have been made

and submitted to procurement directorate of MoHE for further processing. The projects are in

announcement phase now

Inauguration of task force workshop, HEDP, August, 2018


During the period under review, the program conducted a five day training on the maintenance of

ICT centers for ICT technicians and

Administrators. The participants of this

training were ICT Administrators and

technicians of 7 public universities

(SREU, Faryab, Khost, Takhar, Paktia

and Said Jamaluddin Afghan) where the

ICT centers have been established. The

total number of participants were 21

divided into two categories, the first

category was ICT technicians trained in

basic level for three days and the second

category was ICT Administrators

trained in advanced level for 5 days.

The training was conducted and facilitated by two experienced lecturers such as: Mr. Nazin

“Kabiri” (MCS of Japan) and Asmatullah “Yaree” (MCS of Malaysia). During the training session,

the following contents have been taught: Networking fundamentals ( Types of computers

Networks, Network devices, and Network cabling); TCP/IP, IPv4, OSI reference Model and IPv4

address configuration and troubleshooting; Explanation and practice of wireless networks, types

and topologies of Wireless Networks, wireless network standards and technologies; Installation

and configuration of active directory domain services as well as Additional domain controller;

Explanation, installation and configuration of DNS, DHCP, FTP and distributed file system;

Configuration of MicroTiK router ( setting up IP Address, DHCP, and access control list (ACL);

Explanation of cisco switches’ hardware components and IOS and etc.

Theme1.3: Improving the Qualification and Skills of Academic and Technical Staff Members

Theme 1.3.1: Scholarships for Masters Degrees in Priority Disciplines

During the reporting period, HEDP continued with the placement of candidates in the universities

for their post graduate degrees. Out of 127 scholarships awarded in 2018, 106 candidates with the

composition of 76 male and 30 female

have been placed in their universities and

have started the courses, while 10 others

are still waiting for issuance their visas.

One female lecturer has taken deferment

due to her pregnancy. One has resigned

from the scholarship. Five others who

are in medical field could still not be

placed due to the unavailable disciplines

in the universities where we have signed

MoUs.

The decision of the placement of the

candidates at different universities was

based on the ranking of the universities, the presence of MoU and the cooperation and coordination

of the university with HEDP. The candidates were informed about their placement and were

requested to apply at their respective universities, the universities were contacted simultaneously

Pre departure meeting with scholars, HEDP, August, 2018

Inauguration of ICT technician’s capacity development workshop,

HEDP, September, 2018


to confirm their cooperation by issuing acceptance letter well in times so that all of them can be

placed before the commencement of the semester.

Theme 1.3.2. Short-term Technical and Maintenance Courses for Technical Staff in Universities

According the project documents, HEDP should train 200 technical staff of public universities by

2018. To achieve this target, HEDP hired a consultancy to assess the current situation of

technicians and laboratories at the universities. Although, the timing period of this assignment has

already ended, the consultancy still hasn’t provided a complete and responsive product. The

assessment report of consultancy shows that there are 163 technicians and 264 admin staff across

all the public universities in Afghanistan. If we consider this as a correct figures, then the target

on indicator #6 (Number of technical staff completing short-term technical and maintenance

courses) which is 400 for 2022, is not a realistic target. The program needs to ensure if the above

figures are correct, then amend this target accordingly. However, the program is behind the plan

for this task, the target of 2016, 2017 and 2018 which is 100, 200 and 200 respectively, have not

been achieved so far.

During the reporting period, the lovely Professional University informed HEDP that their

academic staff will not travel to Afghanistan to conduct training due to the current security

concerns, the program therefore decided to send 20 ToTs for rigorous training to LPU and the

ToTs will have to complete their quota of holding training sessions to other technician in their

relevant universities.

Theme 1.4: Strengthening Governance, Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Theme 1.4.1: Strategic Institutional Development Plans (SIDPs)

Based on the 2018 plan, 10 universities including 7 public and 3 private universities were selected

for their SIDP’s development. The public universities included Kabul Polytechnic University,

Kandahar University, Afghanistan National Agriculture Science and Technology University

(ANASTU), Sheikh Zaid University, Balkh University, Herat University, and Nangarhar

Unviversity while the private universities included Bakhtar University, Kardan University and

American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). The HEDP responsible manager and the MoHE

SPIC committee regularly met to review these 10 universities’ SIDP’s and provide constructive

feedbacks/comments. It took almost 2 months to review and work with the universities to edit and

address the issues in their SIDP’s.

Finally, on September 1, 2018, these ten universities were invited to present their SIDP’s to the

MoHE leadership. The universities’ representatives including chancellor, Vice Chancellor and a

member of the university SPIC committee participated and presented their presentation in presence

of the Deputy Minister for Academic Affairs, Deputy Minister for Admin and Finance, and Deputy

Minister for Students’ Affairs as well as several Directors and university leaderships. The

workshop was designed as a one-day intensive event. All the university representatives were asked

to limit their presentations to 20 minutes of oral presentation using PowerPoint slides and 10

minute of question and answer session. In order to prevent any confusion and manage time well,

a PowerPoint Template with key sections was prepared and sent to all universities at least 3 weeks

ahead of the event.


At the end of each presentation, the Deputy Minister for Academic Affairs as well as other deputy

ministers and directors provided his insights and comments on the SIDP’s and thanked the

university representatives for the hard work.

Overall, the SIDP’s presented did not have

any major flaw or gap. However, some small

suggestions such as taking the implementation

of SIDP’s serious and following the roadmap

to achieve the strategic objectives set out in

the SIDP’s were emphasized upon by the

MoHE leadership. Some other comments that

were specific to relevant universities would be

sent by the MoHE Planning and Policy

Directorate through an official letter.

All these universities will be issued official

letter by the MoHE to authorize them the publishing of their SIDP’s in their websites and other

relevant media sources. This will happen after these universities send back their very final SIDP

copy with MoHE leadership’s comments and suggestions addressed.

Annual Progress Reports (APR’s)

Once the universities get their SIDP’s approved by the MoHE, they have to report annually on the

progress they have made towards the strategic objectives set in their SIDP’s. This report is called

Annual Progress Report (APR’s).

During the reporting period, the representatives from the three universities (Kabul University,

Kabul Education University, and Kabul Medical University), who had gotten their SIDP’s

approved in late 2016, were invited to report on the progresses made till date. The MoHE Plan and

Policy Director, HEDP Senior Strategic Planning and Research Manager, and the MoHE SPIC

Committee Members attended the meeting and provided their constructive feedback on the APR’s.

Representatives from the aforementioned universities took notes of the participants’ feedback and

agreed to send back their revised APR’s after addressing the participants’ feedbacks.

Theme 1.4.2: Internal Quality Assurance

During the reporting period, HEDP requested the nine universities to start the pre requisites of

establishing IQAUs at their universities. These nine universities are (Kunduz, Bamyan, Paktia,

Takhar and Kabul polytechnic universities) planned to establish the IQAUs in the year 2018, and

(Badakhshan, Parwan, Faryab and Jawzjan universities) planned to establish in the year 2019. The

universities have allocated the required space for the units in universities, prepared the renovations

items lists, the equipment lists approved by universities. As the government procurement process

is lengthy and takes long time as usual, HEDP has started the process of IQAUs for 2019 a little

earlier and will better manage the progress.

SIDPs Presentation Workshop, HEDP, September, 2018


The establishment of four IQAUs at Nangarhar, Alberoni, Herat and Khost universities are

completed, while the IQAU of Balkh University is not completed yet. The renovation and

equipment lists for establishing the new IQAUs have been prepared and will be soon shared with

the Procurement Directorate for the procurement process. In addition, the consultancy has started

verification of four IQAUs established at Kabul University, KMU, KEU and Kandahar University.

Theme 1.4.3: External Quality Assurance

External Review of the universities is one of the main tasks of the Quality Assurance and

Accreditation (QAA) sub-component. The external QAA of universities were planned in

difference phases. It started with the pilot phase of the external review, which has been previously

completed and reported. In the pilot phase eight universities were reviewed. Out of the eight

reviewed universities four universities were fully accredited. Two of the accredited universities

were public (Kabul University and Kandahar University) and two were private (American

University of Afghanistan and Kardan University). In the second phase of the external review

which took place in May 2018, six public universities and six private universities have been

externally reviewed. Out of the 12 reviewed universities only Kabul Medical University got full

accreditation while three private universities got partial accreditation.

The QAAD and HEDP are in contact with 15 universities (seven public and eight private

universities) for the third phase of the external QAA review. These universities are requested to

submit their self-assessment reports and action plans till first week of October. The QAAD is

planning to start external review of universities identified for third phase from mid-October upon

receipt of the universities’ self-assessment reports and actions plans. In this assessment the QAAD

is planning to team up the experienced external peer reviewers with the newly selected external

peer reviewers who will be completing quality assurance internship program conducted by the

Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) in Malaysia. The teaming of experienced and newly

trained external QAA reviewers will enable the team to share their experience and knowledge with

each other and will improve capacity of the external peer reviewers as a whole.

For an effective and on-time completion of the external QAA reviews of the universities QAAD

and HEDP have been identifying, selecting and training external peer reviewers. These peer

reviewers are then sent to a quality assurance internship program conducted by MQA in Malaysia.

During this reporting period MoHE has openly called for applications for the external peer

reviewer positions from the public universities. A joint committee of HEDP and QAAD has

shortlisted selected 15 external peer reviews through a competitive process. HEDP has then

obtained admissions of the MQA quality assurance internship program for the newly selected

external peer reviewers. All travel and boarding arrangements of all the peer reviewers for this

internship programs has been managed by HEDP. This team is planned to travel to Malaysia on

September 29th and will return on October 6th after completion of the internship program.

Development and improvement of the systems and procedures of QAAD is essential for effective

performance of internal and external quality assurance. Development of a website for QAAD

was planned by HEDP. The QAAD website will be a source of information for all universities, to

easily access all quality assurance and accreditation related documents, events and updates. For

establishment of this website a contractor has been hired. According to the contract the website

will be launched until end of October.

So far Kandahar University, KU, KMU, American University and Kardan university have gotten

full accreditation with the professional and technical assistance of HEDP, through the QAAD.


Theme 1.4.4: Leadership and Management Courses for Senior Managerial and Administrative Staff

The 30 NRPs have been selected and their details have been shared with AIT so that they can send

their invitation letters for visa issuance. The trip details have been sent to the WB on 13 September

2018 for NoL, while the delay in issuing NoL will delay the planned tasks to be done in its due

times. The training was planned to be held on the 10th of October 2018, but now it seems that

would be delayed to the 25th of October on condition that NoL is issued.

Considering the last year achievement of AULIA, the program scope was to identify 30 qualified

NRPs through a systematic process and assessment done by the AIT examined from five different

requirements. The selection of process of the thirty NRPs has finally come to an end, the selection

was done in the presence of deputy minister, and HEDP colleagues while taking into consideration

the suggested candidates based on the selection criteria they had set. AIT will conduct the training

for 30 NRPs in October. Upon the return of these 30 NRPs, they will conduct the similar trainings

in their respective universities as a group or individual in late November or December 2018. They

will train up to 125 academic leaders in different priority disciplines.

Theme 1.5: Stimulating Development Oriented Research (DLI)

HEDP has awarded 97 research projects to different public and private university’s professors

since 2016, which out of the total projects awarded, 34 research projects have been completed. In

2018, a total number of 39 research projects were awarded. These research projects include 15

group researches and 24 individual researches. Contracts for 38 researchers were prepared and

signed by the researchers, HEDP responsible persons, and the MoHE leadership. Currently, the

research contracts are with the HEDP finance unit for preparing allotment for the first installment

payment.

All the research contracts were finalized after accurate proofread for any possible edits.

Researchers who are in provinces received a scanned copy of their research to sign the contract

and send it back to HEDP office, and the researchers who are in Kabul were invited to HEDP

office to sign their contracts.

C) Component Two: Program Operations and Technical Support

Social and Environmental Safeguard

During the reporting period, HEDP safeguard team were has done the following tasks:

1. Environment and Social Management plan (ESMP) for Badghis University girl’s

dormitory has been revised and submitted to the WB team for review and approval.

2. Environment and social management plan developed for Herat University Computer

sciences faculty.

3. Safeguard training manual has been revised, yet to be shared with WB safeguard team.

4. A list of HEDP all construction and renovation projects developed in order to be shared

with World Bank MSI team.

5. Safeguards monitoring checklists of all ongoing construction projects revised and

submitted to the World Bank Safeguards team on monthly basis.


Procurement

During the period under review, the procurement unit of HEDP was engaged with the procurement

directorate of MoHE to facilitate the procurement process of several HEDP projects such as ICT,

Water and lavatories specially for girls, establishment of IQAUs and PDCs, establishment of

concealing centers in universities, renovation of kinder garden in university, procurement of books,

and lab equipment for public universities. All the above mentioned projects are at different stages

of procurements.

In addition, during the reporting period, the following seven projects have been awarded.

1. Water and lavatories for Ghazni university

2. Water and lavatories for Herat university

3. Water and lavatories for Paktya university

4. Water and lavatories for Panjshir university

5. Establishment of Counselling center in Bamyan university

6. Establishment of Counselling center in Balkh university

7. Solar system project for Paktya university

Physical Infrastructure Projects

HEDP supports various infrastructure projects such as lecture block, research centers, girls

dormitory, ICT, and etc. during the reporting period, the program worked with MoHE’s

engineering team on collecting the information regarding the accurate physical progress. The

previous report showed that some of the infrastructure projects are delayed. The report was

therefore shared with the relevant departments at MoHE and the reasons were asked on why the

projects are delayed. Following are some of the reasons presented by engineering team of MoHE

for the delay happened in some projects:

Delay In the payments due to the new financial system of MoF and change of fiscal year

Modification in the basement design of some projects

Low coordination among the key stakeholders of the projects (local provincial

governance, line Ministries)

Security problems in provinces

Lack of standard companies. The bidders provide low price to win the project, but in the

implementation phase, they make procrastinations, and challenge the program with their

irrational claims.

Table 3: Physical infrastructure projects

# Project Type Province

Physical

Progress

(%)

Signe

Date

Physical

Start Up Duration

Completion

Date

Remarks

1

Girl's Dorm +

KD Kunar 92 17/09/1395 30/ 09/ 1395 2 years 01/ 10/ 1397

2

Girl's Dorm +

KD Bamyan 95 10/06/1395 20/ 06/ 1395 2 years 21/ 06/ 1397

3

Girl's Dorm +

KD Takhar 45 17/04/1396 01/ 05/ 1396 15 months 02/ 07/ 1397


4

Girl's Dorm +

KD Helmand 35 15/03/1396 29/ 03/ 1396 15 months 30/ 06/ 1397

5

Girl's Dorm +

KD Badghis Re-Planing 10/06/1395 2 years

6 Lecture Block Ghazni 90 29/06/1395 05/ 07/ 1396 2 years 06/ 07/ 1398

7 Lecture Block Wardak 50 08/06/1396 02/ 07/ 1396 15 months 03/ 01/ 1398

8 Lecture Block Logar 80 09/10/1395 04/ 12/ 1395 18 months 05/ 06/ 1398

9 Lecture Block Sar-e-Pul 55 25/09/1395 16/ 12/ 1395 18 months 17/ 05/ 1397

10 Lecture Block Parwan 75 30/03/1396 20/ 04/ 1396 15 months 21/ 06/ 1397

11 Lecture Block Laghman 96 01/05/1396 14/ 05/ 1396 15 months 15/ 07/ 1397

12 Research Center Kabul 95 14/09/1395 28/ 09/ 1395 9 months

Deadline

Missed

13 Research Center Kandahar 90 12/11/1395 02/ 12/ 1395 9 months 13/ 08/ 1396

14 Research Center Herat 85 27/04/1396 21/ 05/ 1396 9 months 22/ 01/ 1397

Human Resource Management

The human resource management of program continued on filling the vacant position during the

reporting period the Senior Quality Assurance and Accreditation Manager position has been

filled. In addition, the following positions are in progress.

Senior Education and Technology Manager

Technical Officer (Teaching and Learning)

Environmental Specialist

University Operations Coordinator (Parwan)

Data Management Officer

HR Officer

Senior Academic Manager (for DM Academic Office)

The position of Social Safeguard Specialist is re announced due to not finding the qualified

candidate at the first round of announcement.

Communication

During the reporting period, the program worked to develop tools and products that communicate

internal change and deliver messaging related to program initiatives. The HEDP Facebook page

and website have been updated with the activities reports and pictures.

A new firm is contracted in order to produce video clips on HEDP activities and beneficiaries

view. The video will mainly introduce HEDP and its themes and will reflect the view of

beneficiaries about HEDP activities. In addition, the design for HEDP new brochures is finalized

and will be printed and distributed within next reporting period week.

In order to increase awareness about Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) in the universities,

posters were printed. Moreover, to make the process of filing complaints easier, complaint boxes

have been designed and purchased. In these two months, 14 universities received posters and

complaints and the remaining universities will be targeted in the month of October.

Furthermore, a list of Afghan media channels has been developed. The list includes the name of

media channels along with their email addresses and mobile numbers.


Internal Control

During the reporting period, a new internal controller is being hired by HEDP. Upon his joining,

the controller has started to preview the existing internal control system of the program and then

started his due responsibilities from HR department. Following are the brief activities done by

internal controller during the reporting period.

Updated the HR policy with necessary amendments.

Developed a disciplinary action committee.

Developed a proper policy for disciplinary action committee consistent with labor law and

other applicable laws in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Developed a proper policy manual for the six months internship program in HEDP.

Randomly checked the complete procedure of an interview result for ensuring transparency

within HEDP.

Working on different checklists and internal control guideline for ensuring operational

efficiency, detecting frauds and mismanagement.

Started to follow up Grievance boxes installation & Posters within public targeted

universities.

Monitoring and Evaluation

During the reporting period, the M&E team followed with the consultancy conducting TPV of

disbursed linked indicators. Three DLIs of 2018 (female enrollment, establishment of four Quality

assurance units and establishment of four ICT centers) are verified by the consultancy. The

consultancy has submitted the first DLI report, which shows that the target (4500) has been met,

while the final report covering all three DLIs is not yet submitted.

Monitoring and evaluation team continued to collect data on the progress of program indicators,

and provide an insight to the program management for the informed decision making.

The M&E team developed some data collection tools, and started developing M&E Plan for the

program. The purpose of M&E plan is to describe how the result indicators are measured

throughout the program implementation and how the data is collected, analyzed, reported, stored

and used. This document is an integral part of the program implementation cycle which will serve

as a function of continuous assessment of program implementation to capture the data on specified

indicators and ensure the project is proceeding on track and in accordance to the plan. Secondly

the M&E plan will serve as a function of mid-term review and final evaluation of the project results

in terms of relevance, effectiveness and impact. The M&E Plan will be shared during the next

reporting period.

Financial Management:

The following table shows the up to date budget execution rate

Type of

Component

Approved Planned

Budget Actual Expenditure

Budget Execution

Percentage Remarks

Component 1 $ 13,536,142 $ 5,884,709 43.47 %

Component 2 $ 2,300,000 $ 1,340,483 58.28 %

Grand Total $ 15,836,142 $ 7,225,192 45.62%


D) Challenges The program however is behind the plan for conducting technical trainings, short

administrative and leadership trainings and APRs, the program strives to achieve those

targets simultaneously with the targets of 2019 either.

The Technical Assessment Report on HEDP Technical Trainings doesn’t not meet the

expectations of the ToR and HEDP. The report must identify the exact number of

technicians and admin staff with full details disaggregated by qualification, gender, faculty,

departments and etc. from the other hand, the report must as well identify the current

situation of laboratories, the gap and the required equipment needed for laboratories. The

report does not provide this important information.

There has been poor commitment of the Balkh University leadership in support of

champions to conduct the OBE-SCL workshops. However, we tried different ways to

convince the leadership at Balkh University to support the OBE-SCL workshop, it didn’t

work due to internal university leadership conflicts.

The renovation requirements for the 3 PDCs projects at Bamyan, Alberoni, and Kunduz

Universities were shared with Engineers at Plan & Policy Directorate. The engineers

commented that the renovation information provided by the universities’ technical team

doesn’t truly represent the renovation needs and might create problems during the

procurement and implementation phases.

HEDP shared the Capacity Development Plan for the training of PDC Leads with 4

overseas universities so far. As of now, only UTM shared a proposal for the training of

PDC leads. Due to high cost of the training fee in the UTM proposal, we are still waiting

for other 3 universities to share their proposal. However, HEDP consistently follow up with

those universities for the proposal. We are optimistic this will not take so long.

No utilization of minibuses in Ghazni and Daikundi universities for the pickup of female

students. These universities claim that due to lack of operation cost and personal, they can’t

use the mini buses.

The program is challenged by low response of World Bank on issuing NoLs. For instance,

the NRP was planned at the first week of October, but the delay in issuance NoL made it

not happen its planned date.

E) Recommendations

The program management should accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets on APRs,

conducting technical and administrative trainings.

However, the consultancy is given feedback to revise the report and address the HEDP

concerns, it shall be further negotiated through a face to face discussion in line with the

ToR of the study and other documents to reach a consensus and satisfy both parties.

The Plan & Policy Directorates at MoHE were officially requested by HEDP to dispatch

an Engineering team to do the renovation survey for the 3 universities and share the

information and details with HEDP. We are positive that we will meet the deadlines for

completion of the 3 PDC projects this year due to the time-consuming obstacles.

HEDP to discuss with MoHE leadership to allocate some operational cost for the utilization

of mini-buses in Ghazni and Daikundi universities.


The foreign affairs and scholarship directorate of MoHE should take full ownership of the

scholarship component of HEDP, however it was discussed in the last and recent steering

committee’s meetings.

The World Bank to issue required NoLs in the earliest possible time. By this the program

will be able to implement the planned activities and meet the targets on specified indicators.

Annex A: Intermediate Outcome Indicators Status for 2018 based on the revised PIM Indicator 2018

Target

Current Status as July

2018

Female enrollment in priority degree

programs in the 1st year of public universities

[DLI 1]

4500

5,708 as of Dec 2017

verified by TPV.

4962 seats reserved for

female in 2018

2018 data will be updated

in December 2018

Number of female students with access to

adequate residential facilities for women on

university campuses

3,700 3426 (Official Capacity)

Bamiyan and Konar to be

inaugurated by end of

2018

Number of full time academic staff trained in,

and practicing, outcome-based education and

student centered learning

[DLI 2]

500 academic staff trained in and

practicing outcome-based

education and student centered

learning

674 have been trained and

verified. While another

507 are trained during

2018, but the verification

is remained.

Number of public universities with functional

ICT centers for ICT based higher education

[DLI 3]

4 universities with new and

functional ICT centers

Shahid Rabani, Khost,

Gazni, Paktia and Konur

universities ICT’s centers

are completed

Number of scholarships awarded to full time

faculty staff for Masters Degrees in priority

disciplines [DLI 4]

300

scholarships awarded

336 scholarships awarded;

58 scholarships completed

and returned

Number of technical staff completing short-

term technical and maintenance courses

200

staff trained

Technical Assessment is

under process.

Number of universities with Internal Quality

Assurance Units (IQAUs) (b) functioning to

international standards

[DLI 5]

6 universities with

IQAUs functioning to international

standards

8 IQAUs are functional.

The only remaining IQAU

of Balkh university is on

track with 50% progress.

Number of public and private universities

which complete a new regionally

benchmarked quality assurance cycle

External institutional quality

assurance reviews completed for

14 public and 14 private

universities and reports

disseminated by MoHE

A total of 20 Universities

have been peer reviewed.

We have plan to peer

review another 12 during

this year.

Number of university senior managerial and

administrative staff completing short-term

leadership and management courses in the

context of greater authority and accountability

200

staff trained

Planning for the second

phase.


Development oriented research Projects,

mainly in the priority disciplines

[DLI # 6]

15 new group research Projects

commenced

25 new individual research

Projects in progress commenced

At least 15 group research Projects

completed

At least 20 individual research

Projects completed

15 group researches

awarded.

24 individual researches

awarded.

9 Group research projects

of 2017completed

24 Individual research

projects of 2017

completed

Documents

Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Higher Education …€¦ · expanded into four more universities (Bamyan, Kabul, Balkh and Jozjan). These centers will be established by 2019