A Brief History

The idea to establish the American University of Afghanistan emerged in 2002, based on the success of other American Universities around the world. In just five years, the American University of Afghanistan has progressed from idea to reality. Today, the University is Afghanistan’s only not-for-profit, private and independent university. It is non-political and non-sectarian, and it is committed to producing future generations of leaders in business, society and government.

Important Milestones:

2009
After an extensive search, in August 2009 the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. C. Michael Smith as the new President. The University has extended its undergraduate educational offerings to include both Bachelor of Arts degrees and Associate of Arts degrees. Through a $5 million grant from USAID, the University was able to acquire technology for e-learning so that students may benefit from collaboration with other universities within the region and as far away as the United States. The Friends of the American University of Afghanistan with offices in Washington became the chief development arm of the University and received 501(c)(3) status with Internal Revenue Service.

2008
In June 2008, United States First Lady Laura Bush announced $40 million (USD) in funding over five years. Later that year, Dr. Athanasios Moulakis was named Acting President. By the end of the year, enrollment in the Undergraduate and Foundation Studies programs had reached almost 350 students.

2007
Chief Academic and Chief Finance and Administration Officers were named and a new Vision and Mission statement and first-ever business and academic plans were adopted to make the American University of Afghanistan fully operational. The University also launched a global fundraising appeal.

2006
The University’s first students entered in March to improve their English-language and study skills in foundation classes. In September the first credit-bearing undergraduate courses, adult professional courses and adult professional level programs were offered. After an international search, in December Dr. Thomas Stauffer was named the University’s first President and Chief Executive Officer.

2005
In March, United States First Lady, Laura Bush, visited the University site and announced a substantial grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch the institution. Two buildings, heavily damaged in clashes between Afghan and Soviet forces in the 1980s and the factional war that followed, were repaired for office and classroom use on a 5-acre interim campus. While first staff members were recruited, the Asia Foundation was named fiduciary agent by USAID.

2004
A charter was granted on July 26 by the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education under Article 46, Chapter 2 of the new Afghan Constitution and Article 455 of the Civil Code, to establish a private university. A feasibility study was initiated by the Coordinating Council of International Universities, based in the United States, to recommend an institutional framework.

In December, the inaugural meeting of the Board of Trustees convened in Dubai, where Dr. Sharif Fayez, Afghanistan’s former Minister of Higher Education, was elected President Pro Tempore, serving until April 2007 when he was named “Founder” by the new President and took on duties including liaison with the Afghan government.

2003
In an address before UNESCO, United States First Lady Laura Bush announced support for educational initiatives in Afghanistan, and United States Ambassador Zalmay Khalizad gave his strong support for establishing the American University of Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan High Commission for Private Investment offered leases at nominal expense on two parcels of land until 2103, totaling 48 acres, on the southwest edge of Kabul near the former Royal Palace to develop a private university. Also, the American University of Afghanistan Foundation was chartered in the State of Delaware (United States) under leadership of Dr. Jacob van Lutsenburg Maas, who later became Foundation president, as a non-profit philanthropic organization to receive these leases. (In 2007, the Foundation became a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization).

2002
Dr. Sharif Fayez, Afghan Minister of Higher Education, and other Afghan leaders proposed establishment of the nation’s first-ever independent university, and President Hamid Karzai stressed the importance of education in a nation-wide speech.