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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.
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 2
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.
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 3
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
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 4
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
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 5
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
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 6
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.
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 7
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
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 8
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.
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 9
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.
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 10
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
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 11
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.
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 12
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%
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 13
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.
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 14
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.
HEDP Quarterly Progress Report (August-September 2018) Page 15
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