Evaluation of Existing

Web Structure of Afghan

Universities

Abdul Rahman Sherzad

Deputy Dean and Head of Information Department of Herat University

TU-Berlin Alumni Program

Berlin, Germany

August - September 2014

Contents

Application

Proposal

Challenges

Objective

Current Situation

2

Current Situation - ICT Infrastructure [8]

One million

Internet Users

Total: 7

Total: 5 Subscriber: 17.4 millions

Total: 3

Total: 44

3

Current Situation – MoHE 2012 [3] [4] [5]

Public University

Number: 31

Students: 99,530

Academics: 3,496

MoHE

Private University

Number: 74

Students: 52119

Academics: ?

4

Current Situation – MoHE 2014 (Noor Bakhsh)

Public University

Number: 34

Students: 190000

Academics: 4500

MoHE

Private University

Number: 90

Students: 110000

Academics: 4000

5

Current Situation – MoHE Post 2001 [7]

Total Higher Education Enrollment in Afghanistan 2001-2012

Time Trend of Enrollments in Public and Private Higher Education 2001-2012

6

Current Situation - Existence of Website Services

MoHE

Job

Announcements

Scholarship

Announcements

Kankor Result

Announcement

Publications

&

Articles

Conferences

&

Seminars

Facts

&

Statistics

7

Objective - Key Factors of Successful Websites [1] [9]

8

Security

Design

Usability

Accessibility Content

Update

Challenges - Usability

• Inconsistent Font

• Non-existent Interactivity

• CMS Limitations

– Non-existent Built-in Shortcodes

9

Challenges - Accessibility [7][10]

• Fixed Resolution of 1024x768

• 17.4 million mobile subscribers

• 1.4 billion smartphones in the world

• Inconvenient access to all

smartphone users.

10

Challenges – Quality Content

• Multilingual support feature

• Many potential activities

• No Quality Control

• No formal structure committee

/ Technical support team

11

Challenges – Regular Update

• Targeted audiences expect to

see up-to-date information

• Afghan universities’ website is

not updated for long periods

of time.

12

Challenges – Availability & Sustainability

• Power outages

• No proper backup systems

• Heavy traffic while Kankor

results announced

• No technical support team

13

Conclusion

Websites

There is no formal managerial oversight

Extremely rapid growth in ICT infrastructure and services

The current websites are not up to the challenges

Significant increase of enrollment in Higher Education

14

Proposal

• Creation of formal structure within MOHE institutions

• Explore the technical possibilities for improving websites – Usability

– Security

– Availability

– Updateability

• Expand the website's scope

15

Proposal - Expand the website's scope

1. Access to online library catalogue

2. Access to online scientific journals

3. Access to online directory of publications by the university academics

16

Proposal - Expand the website's scope

4. Academic members profile

5. Email and SMS event notification

6. Platform for course and campus management system

17

Application - Stepwise

MoHE

Universities

Faculties

18

Application - Basic Standard Website Structure

• Home • About University

– History – Goal – Strategic Plans – Facts and Statistics – Map

• Organizational Structure – University Directorship – Scientific Councils

• Lecturers • Faculty Deans

– Deputies • Deputy Chancellor in Academic Affairs • Deputy Chancellor in Student Affairs • Deputy Chancellor in Administration

– Committees • Academic Promotions • Appointment and Dismissal • Quality Assurance

19

Application - Basic Standard Website Structure

• Faculties – Agriculture – Applied Science – Computer Science – Economics – Education (Pedagogy) – Engineering – Fine & Arts – Journalism – Law & political Science – Literature & Humanities – Medicine – Public Administration – Theology & Islamic Studies – Veterinary Science

20

Application - Basic Standard Website Structure

• IT Directorship – Information Department – Technical Department – Network Department – Education Department

• Center I • Center II

• Services and Facilities – Library – Counseling Center – Law Clinic – Sport – Dormitory – Parking

21

Application - Basic Standard Website Structure

• Scientific Research Center • Publications

– Magazine – Weekly Letter – Department of Public Informing and Relations

• Media – News – Announcements – Alumni – Documents – Photo Gallery – Video Gallery – FAQ

• Students 22

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