Kam Group Aids Students at AUAF

KABUL, Feb 19 (AUAF): Zamrai Kamgar, Chairman of Kam Group, a private sector organization specializing in international trade, construction, oil distribution, the mining of raw precious gems, and operates Kam Air, one of several private airlines inside Afghanistan, recently donated $25,000 to the American University of Afghanistan to "support those who have talent but cannot afford AUAF."

In a recent meeting with AUAF Founding President, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Kamgar expressed his support for the goals of the University, noting that Afghanistan needs an improved system of higher education that could train leaders for the future. No stranger to the entrepreneurial world, Mr. Kamgar is one of the nation's most successful businessmen as the President of Kam Group, and understands the value of a good education. He said, "The young population will take the lead in the formation of this country's future. We need to prepare them for that by providing them with a broad, high quality education."

AUAF is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), but is also dependent on students' fees and donations to meet operational costs. It is the only private sector, not for profit, private university in Afghanistan, currently offering bachelors programs in liberal arts, business and IT. Dr. Fayez said of the grant, "Mr. Kamgar's generosity will provide money towards scholarships, rather than operational costs. He's a great supporter of higher education and we hope that other entrepreneurs in Afghanistan will follow his lead with similar donations to help other young people realize their dream of a Western-style liberal arts education."

He added, "We understand that being able to afford an AUAF education, although promising for their future, is financially difficult for most young Afghans. The University has a strategy to financially assist deserving students who qualify to study at AUAF, and this money will go towards the scholarship fund. AUAF opened its doors in 2006, and has grown 15% in the size of its student body this year, as well as a 93% increase in courses offered. The faculty hails from a variety of international educational facilities.

Regarding future growth potential, Dr. Athanasios Moulakis, Acting President, AUAF, said, "It is a priority for us to locate as many resources for student financial aid as possible, so that our institution can truly become a national university." Besides Kabul Province, students hail from Herat, Nangrahar, Bagdis, Mazaar-i-Sharif, Badakhshan, Helman, Jalalabad, Kandahar, and 19 other provinces.