Academy of Sciences

Afghanistan's principal governmental research organization, the Academy of Sciences, has its roots in the Association for the Advancement of the Pashto Language (De Pashto Adbi Anjuman), set up in Kandahar in 1932 by soldier, politician, poet and writer Mohammad Gul Khan Momand (1885-1964, known to Afghans as 'Pashtun Baba').

The initial aim of the Association was to conduct linguistic and literary research and publish scholarly works in Pashto. It published the first Pashto-language magazines, Pashto and Da Mualim Pashto, and also translated the Farsi-language magazine Thalo-e-Afghan into Pashto, as well as publishing books on the teaching and learning of the Pashto language. The Association continued functioning in Kandahar until 1935, when it was transferred to Kabul.

In 1937, it was replaced by the Pashto Academy (Pashto Tolana), which was set up with royal patronage and managed by the scholar Abdul Hai Habibi (1910-1984), who also founded the University of Kabul's Faculty of Language and Literature. In subsequent decades, the Academy acquired additional Departments of Dari, History and Archaeology. By the 1960s, both the Academy and the University of Kabul benefited from well-resourced library collections which afforded researchers access to contemporary global scholarship. An English-Pashto Dictionary, compiled under then Director-General Abdur Rauf Benawa, was published in 1975.

After the Soviet invasion of 1979, the Academy received additional funding from the Soviet government and was re-named the Academy of Sciences while acquiring an additional Department of Natural Sciences. Library usage and academic research declined in the 1980s, along with many aspects of the Afghan education system.

In 2001 the Academy of Sciences was re-established as a key national research agency under the control of the Office of the President. The Director of the Academy has the same status as a Minister, and is appointed by the President. The Academy of Sciences currently has three research divisions: (i) Humanities – comprising Social Sciences, Language and Literature, the Ariana Encyclopaedia of Afghanistan, and International Pashto Language Research and Archaeology of Afghanistan; (ii) Natural Sciences – comprising Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics and Technology; and (iii) Islamic Studies – comprising Quranic Studies, Hadith, Fiqh and Law, as well as Sufism and Beliefs. The Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) for 2007/8-2012/3 sets out the aims of the Academy of Sciences as:

• conducting and leading scientific research in Afghanistan with the aim of enhanced scientific awareness and cultural enrichment;
• working closely with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education, to develop the educational curriculum and conduct research on issues relating to it with the aim of enhancing the quality of teaching;
• working closely with other government ministries and independent agencies with the aim of assessing and identifying issues and finding solutions in different areas, including religion, society, culture, law, health, economics, ecology, agriculture, transport, industry, construction, mining, energy and technology;
• presenting consultative drafts and comments for high-ranking authorities on multi-sectoral issues whose resolution is beyond the ability of an entity or ministry and participating in the drafting of national social, economical and cultural development plans;
• ensuring regular communication with academies of sciences and scientific/research entities abroad at both regional and international level with a view to keeping abreast of recent global developments and achievements in science, technology, humanities, nature and Islam and applying these developments and achievements in Afghanistan, securing foreign financial, technical and moral assistance for Afghan scientific-research projects, exchanging experience and enhancing the professional skills and capacity of Academy staff.

In recent years one of the Academy's main projects has been the eight-volume Ariana Encyclopaedia of Afghanistan, the first national encyclopaedia in both the Dari and Pashto languages. In recognition of the central role which scientific research can play in the future development of the Afghan state, funds have been set aside under the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) for 2007/8-2012/13 for new premises and equipment. There remains, however, a need for investments in developing the skills of Afghan researchers at all levels.

Ministries

The Ministry of Information and Culture incorporates two heritage research institutions - the Afghan Institute of Archaeology and the International Centre for Kushan Studies - while also operating the Islamic Studies Research Centre.

Universities and non-governmental institutions

Quality of research is closely linked to standards of higher education, and at present all of Afghanistan's universities are severely under-resourced. Facilities affiliated with the universities address some of the needs, such as the Centre for Policy and Human Development (CPHD), the National Centre for Policy Research (NCPR) and the Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University (ACKU) located on the premises of University of Kabul, and the Darah Association Afghanistan - Clay Building Research Centre attached to the Kabul Polytechnic University Faculty of Construction. Independent non-government institutions include Afghanistan's Centre for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) and the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), both of which rely on international funding to conduct independent research on critical issues.

References

• Afghanistan Cultural Profile

1. redirect Pashto Tolana