Looking Back: My Experience as a Woman Studying Computer Science at Kabul University

[niyad]

Looking Back: My Experience as a Woman Studying Computer Science at Kabul University


Despite of thousand of challenges, women in Afghanistan have been enrolling across fields in universities. Kabul University, which is a government-funded college open to men and women, has more than 20,000 students from all over the country, all of whom had to pass a tough entrance exam.



I enrolled in Kabul University’s computer science program in 2008, and I faced many challenges there as a student. There was limited space, and I was studying in a congested classroom of eighty of my peers. (And only twenty of us were women!) Classes ranged in size, and it was difficult to concentrate in big lecture halls. The curriculum was old and the teaching materials were out-of-date. The program didn’t meet market demands, and our books weren’t up to standard.

But in spite of all of this, I experienced a very warm and welcoming environment at Kabul University. Those big halls were home to outstanding lectures. Despite the lack of a standardized platform, professors were always keen on finding an alternative way to paint us the big picture of computer science and technology. Also, students, including I, were dedicated to studying hard – irrespective of non-advanced facilities.

At the present, our Computer Science department shares close contacts with the University of Maryland, University of DC, University of Cape Town, Technical University of Berlin and the computer sciences department of all domestic universities in Afghanistan, which helps students experience advanced curricula. However, students still suffer from standardized classrooms, labs and other equipments, and lack of updated textbooks demotivates students as professors.

I hope Afghanistan, my home country, will be like other developed countries and have a modern and contemporary education system one day.

[yeoman6987]

1. We are getting rid of entrance exams like SATs

The rest of the world uses them for admission and although education is free it is difficult to get in most schools. I don't know if we should implement exams for students to go free or not. Thanks for providing us this info.

[niyad]

2. you are most welcome.

I personally think education up to, and including, graduate level, should be free. would be but a tiny percentage of the military budget, the subsidies to the oil companies, the tax cuts for billionaires, etc.)

[yeoman6987]

3. What percentage of students would be allowed into the schools?

I like free but it would get pretty competitive then it is now. Would room and board be free along with books and additional fees? That makes the price really high.

[niyad]

4. why not? if we can afford the mic, we can afford free education for all.

[yeoman6987]

5. Keep in mind the sequester that made everyone take a 10 percent cut

Everyone hated it including the military and now even the president want to get rid of sequestration. And that was 10 percent on their increase in the budget. I can't see how anyone could get away with decreasing the budget more then it has. It would be nice but I don't even think Bernie would do it especially first term.

[Novara]

6. yes, but not everyone belongs in college

Unfortunately, with so much manufacturing overseas, there isn't as big a need for trade schools as there used to be. Not everyone is cut out for a university education. And it shouldn't be a shame, and those people should have options. But education should be free for any smart person who wants to further their education. It would also reverse the trend of teaching to lower standards. I realize in a way, I'm talking about intellectual snobbery, but not everyone is cut out for higher education and there should be no shame in that. Rather than dumb down colleges, let's find options for others.

[niyad]

7. you are quite correct.