Building Journalism Capacity: U.S. Embassy funds $2.8 million communications program at Kabul University

December 5, 2010 | Kabul

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the award of two grants that will improve the Journalism Faculty at Kabul University:  $1.5 million  for the construction of a state-of-the-art Media Operations Center (MOC) and $1.3 million to the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and its Center for Afghan Studies to partner with Kabul University's journalism faculty.  The three-year partnership program with UNO is designed to support Afghan professors to teach modern journalism principles and practices and give students the skills they need to pursue media careers. UNO officials will help the Kabul journalism school update curriculum and textbooks and help its students and faculty operate by international journalistic standards. Plans call for Afghans to meet and work with print and broadcast journalists in Nebraska and for Afghan students to work in internships with local media outlets and government offices. This grant is part of the University Partnership program and addresses a critical need for professional development in higher education and higher academic standards.

U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry announced the award during a ground breaking ceremony at Kabul University today for the new Faculty of Journalism MOC.  The Center at Kabul University will be the newest and most modern in all of Afghanistan with a printing press, a broadcast ready radio station and a functional television studio.  The MOC will be built by the US Embassy's implementing partner, HUDA Development Organization.    

"The American Embassy is proud to help improve the capacity, modernize infrastructure and enhance communication channels in Afghanistan. What better way to build a strong communication sector than by starting with students who have the hopes and dreams of contributing to the great Nation's future," Ambassador Eikenberry said.

These two grants will reinvigorate a long-standing relationship between UNO and Afghanistan's oldest and largest university.  Tom Gouttierre, Dean of International Studies and Programs at UNO, said he's excited about renewing the relationship between the two universities in a more formal way after 30 years. Hameedullah Amin, Chancellor of Kabul University, was a visiting faculty member at UNO during the 1976-77 school year, and Goutierre was a Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan from 1965-1967.

This is one of six University Partnership grants to be funded by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section to enhance journalism programs.  

For questions, please email KabulPress@state.gov.  

More information about Embassy activities can be found at http://kabul.usembassy.gov

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