Brief Introduction to Parwan University

Introduction to Parwan University
Parwan University is a public academic institution located 61 kilometers north of Kabul and two kilometers south of Charikar. It was originally established in 1961 (1340 SH) as an "Accelerated Teacher Training Center" (*Dar-ul-Mo'allemin-e Mosta'jal*); this center recruited ninth-grade graduates and, following a one-year professional training course, assigned them to schools as teachers. In 1967 (1346 SH), the institution was upgraded to a "Basic Teacher Training Center" (*Dar-ul-Mo'allemin-e Asasi*), recruiting ninth-grade graduates from various provinces and graduating them as professional teachers after a three-year training program. In 1974 (1353 SH), it was further upgraded to a "Higher Teacher Training Center" (*Dar-ul-Mo'allemin-e Aali*), admitting high school graduates (Grade 12) and preparing them for the workforce as qualified teachers holding a "Grade 14" certification after two years of professional training.

In 1998 (1377 SH), the institution was elevated to the "Institute of Pedagogy," comprising faculties of Education, Language and Literature, and Social Sciences. Finally, in 2002 (1381 SH), it was designated as the "Parwan Higher Education Institute," featuring a total of ten departments: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Islamic Studies, Dari Literature, English Literature, and French Literature. In 1390 SH (Solar Hijri), the Faculty of Agriculture was established at the institution with three departments: Animal Sciences, Plant Sciences, and Agricultural Economics Development; the Department of Horticulture was subsequently added in 1391 SH. That same year, the Faculty of Economics was established with two departments—Banking and Administration & Management—and, following this expansion, departments for Computer Education and Calligraphy & Drawing were added to the Faculty of Education. In 1391 SH, an evening program faculty was established comprising eight departments (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Islamic Studies, Dari Literature, and English Literature), resulting in the organization of the institution's academic instruction into both day and evening sessions. In 1392 SH, the Parwan Higher Education Institute was upgraded to "Parwan University," the name by which it is known today. 

The university grounds cover an area of ​​62 *jeribs* and contain twelve major buildings (some completed and others under construction), a mosque, and several smaller structures. These facilities are utilized for administrative and academic affairs, student dormitories, and other purposes. Its development and support centers include a Faculty Professional Development Center, a Lincoln Center, a research center, a mosque, a conference hall, a sports field, and a warehouse. 

The university currently comprises ten degree-granting faculties; the most recent addition is the Faculty of Engineering, which was incorporated into the university structure in 1398 SH. The academic disciplines offered under these ten faculties comprise a total of twenty-eight fields of study. The university maintains 171 academic faculty positions and approximately 125 administrative and support staff roles, providing educational services—complete with all necessary facilities and conditions—to a student body of around 6,100. A notable feature of Parwan University is that its students hail from virtually every province and ethnic group in Afghanistan; upon graduation, the majority of these young people go on to serve society as skilled professionals.