What exactly are you are doing in Kabul?

I figure that I’ll start with some of the basics here, like what I do. I know that given my line of work, people are often at a loss for what I actually do, particularly in Afghanistan.

I am now based in Kabul, Afghanistan working on the Higher Education Project (HEP). I am still with the employer I have been with since I moved to Washington, the Academy for Educational Development (AED).

To give you a bit of background on the project, the Higher Education Project is part of an overall program to rehabilitate and strengthen the capacity of the education system to improve access to quality education throughout Afghanistan. The project works to strengthen both the individual and institutional capacity of sixteen teacher training institutes. HEP focuses on strengthening the capacity of faculty educators to provide a better education for secondary schools. HEP is brought to you by the generous support of the American people with support from USAID. (United States Agency for International Development)

My new position as the International Training Coordinator of HEP will take me around Asia and the Middle East leading groups of Afghan University staff on training activities. The basic idea is to demonstrate the capacity of other Universities and equip them with the skills to develop their institutions back in Afghanistan. Thus, my position will have me traveling outside of Kabul. Potential training locations are Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, Delhi, and Kuala Lumpur.

I manage two local Afghan staff who help in fielding all of these participants. I’m currently working on setting up program management systems and designing study tours.

One perk of being half a word away from my dear husband, James, is that we will have the opportunity to rendezvous four times a year where ever we like. Our first R&R is scheduled for Iceland for Valentine’s Day. (We figure if it is going to be cold it might as well be really cold!)

Feel free to let me know if you have questions about my work!

Miel

3 Comments

  1. debra_frey on October 20, 2007 at 11:39 pm

    I have been working the past two years with the Kansas State University and Kabul University partnership. What areas are you working with?

  2. Ms. Miel on October 22, 2007 at 1:09 pm

    Hi Deb,

    I’m in Kabul and running all of the overseas training courses. This includes master’s degrees at Indiana University and University of Massachusetts. I’m also designing and leading regional trips abroad for shorter durations. We work with Kabul University and generally have a couple of participants on each program. Are you in Kabul or back in Kansas? Either way it’s great to hear from you.

    Cheers,

    Miel

  3. Shadewilson on October 26, 2007 at 7:18 pm

    Miel,
    Just wanted you to know I check out you blog and think it’s great. Look forward to you updates. You look so good. I am very proud of you and thinking of you often.

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