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16 May 2008
Afghan Professional Discusses American Academia, Society
Ask America webchat transcript, May 15
Dr. Sibghatullah, who is studying at Johns Hopkins University under the State Department’s Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, discussed his experiences as a young Afghan professional studying in the United States, his general impressions of life in America and the status of education in Afghanistan in a May 15 Ask America webchat.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript
An Afghan Perspective on American Academia, Education and Society
Guest: Dr. Sibghatullah, Humphrey Fellow, Johns Hopkins University
Date: May 15, 2008
Time: 06:30 EDT / 1030 GMT/ 15:00 Kabul
Moderator: Welcome to our webchat! We're glad you can join us. We are taking your questions now. Dr. Sigbhatullah will join the webchat on May 15 at 06:30 EDT /10:30 GMT / 15:00 Kabul.
Thank you for the many questions you have already sent in.
Welcome to today's webchat! Dr. Sibghatulla will join us soon. In the meantime, you may continue to send us your questions. If you have more than one question, please submit each one separately. Thank you.
Moderator: We do see your questions coming in. Thank you! Your questions will appear on this screen only after they have been answered by our guest speaker.
Moderator: Dr. Sibghatullah is already reviewing your many questions. He may not be able to answer every one of them but he will try to answer as many as possible.
We welcome your comments. Comments will be posted to this screen after the chat begins. If you would like to introduce yourself to our global audience, please do so by selecting "comment".
Moderator: Welcome everyone, we are glad you are joining us. The webchat is now open. Our speaker is preparing answers to your questions right now. Answers and your comments will begin to appear in just a moment.
Comment [Eng Azizullah Habibi from RI/GCEP/JAAILC Afg]: First of All Welcome to Dr.Sabghatullah, we are so happy that one of professional Afghan is answering the questions of GCE Program participants regarding Status of Education.
Comment [Chat Participant]: I want to say thanks from you to take part in this web chat and many thanks from those who are making this kind of web chat and give opportunity for Afghans to participate and give there suggestion, idea and comments. Because everybody appreciate and proud to participate in this kind of chats with Afghans who live and study in foreign countries because we all Afghans have hope from them to come back and get part for developing of our country. Thanks
Sayed Ebad
GCEP/ ILC/ Afghanistan
Sibghatulla: I am Sibghatullah, currently attending H. Humphrey Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins University school of public health in Baltimore city Maryland, USA. I came to U.S. in August 2007 and will go back to Afghanistan in June 2008.
My area of study is Policy and Program development for HIV prevention. Humphrey fellowship has three main components, first is attending relevant classes to my area of interest, second is analysis of one of major health problems of Afghanistan and coming up with a solution and third one is participation in a practical work related to my studies with an organization here in U.S.
Comment [Chat Participant]: Good afternoon and greetings from Kabul IRC.
Question [isfara]: Question of students from Internet Learning Center Deaf School #8 Dushanbe. Is it difficult to study at American Johns Hopkins University under the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program? - Sharipova Gavhar (from Tajik Islamic University) Safina, Oleg and Ibodullo (from deafschool#8)
Answer [Sibghatulla]: No, it is not difficult. At the beginning it is a little difficult to get used to the fast pace of studies, but later on, it becomes normal.
Comment [Relief intenational]: yes, i am Abdulsalam Niazi ILC Manager in Takahar Province in Taluqan city.
Q [Kabul]: hello, please tell us about student's life in the U.S. Thanks.
A [Sibghatulla]: In general, students life is busier. Beside the classes, students also work in groups on projects, search and review literature on those projects. Some students are busier than others because they also do some part time job to support themselves. Mostly student live in campus dormitories, which are cheaper in comparison to apartments and house but do not have all the facilities. Students who are supported by their parents or who have stable source of income live in houses. During the working days there is very little time to sit somewhere and have a proper breakfast or take a good lunch and that is the reason most students rely on fast foods, I mean sandwiches or burgers.
Campus dormitories in most campuses have good sports facilities like squash courts, gym, swimming pool and volleyball courts. On week-ends some students go to visit families or friends and some student cook and celebrate parties. I have not seen or heard of any arguments or fight between students in the university in which I am. Professors and teachers are called by their name and they do not like to be called Sir. Students who are sharing apartments or houses always care about each other, do not listen to music loudly or disturb their fellows. Overall, life of students is good and they have time for study and access to good libraries and on-line resources.
Q [breakable]: Hello, i am in grade 9 and i want to travel and live in US. Is it possible?
A [Sibghatulla]: Yes, it is possible; the program that I know about is sponsoring students only for one year and after that students return to their home countries. The program is sponsored by US States Department. More information could be achieved from the website of the US embassy in Kabul and from your local education department. Eligibility for that program depends on agreement of your parents, your current position in your class and some understanding of English language, but it will not enable you to live in America.
Q [Shoaib Timory]: Salam, I am a Fulbright grantee from Afghanistan who is going to George Washington University Law school this fall.
If you have an option of waiving the thesis and taking a subject based on a research paper instead, is it worth to do? I have this option and want to waive the thesis. Should I do it? The reason for this decision is that the Afghan students are not very familiar with the thesis writing like that of US students and they might face many frustrating problems. In addition, I think it is better to take subjects that you haven't have the opportunity to take in Afghanistan.
Please advise me.
A [Sibghatulla]: First, I will suggest subjects that are more relevant to situation of Afghanistan. I will encourage you to take the thesis.
Comments [Eng M.Yusuf Mohmand RI/GCEP/JAAILC Afg]: First of all, welcome to Dr. Sabghatullah to answer our question, we are so happy that one of professional Afghan doctor, answering the questions of our participants regarding Status of Education.
Q [nasirahmad2]: Dr. Sibghatullah, my name is Nasir Ahmad Mahmoodi and I am a Fulbrighter and I will begin my postgraduate studies in the US in the coming academic year. Can you kindly say how did you find America and the American people's approach towards an Afghan Fulbrighter, and how much do you think living within the context of American culture has affected your visions and ideas for good causes?
A [Sibghatulla]: I found America a very good place for study and found it helpful to broaden my approach to problem solving in health sector. It also helped me to know how to integrate theory into interventions practically.
Q [Reza2]: Hello, my name is Reza and I live in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. I am actually an Archeologist and currently work as American Coordinator in Mazar. That will be very great if you can pls let me know, is there any opportunity for a person like me to study there at John Hopkins University?
A [Sibghatulla]: Yes, Johns Hopkins University is offering many specialities and I will suggest you go to its website, www.jhu.edu, where you will be able to find more information.
Q [Eng Azizullah Habibi from RI/GCEP/JAAILC Afg]: Hello to Dr. Sibghatullah it is glad to hear about Afghan professional, here in Afghanistan is war "fight" from 30 years all professional Afghans are hide. My Question is about the education buckground of Dr. Sibghatullah. Can you please tell us about your qualification, when you completed and in which place?
Comment [Mainwand Mohmand -Relief International- GCE program -Jalalabad ILC Afghanistan]: Sibghatulla, I completed my education as a medical doctor in Pakistan in 2001 and came back to Afghanistan in early 2004.
Q [saeedi]: Is it expensive to live and study in U.S.?
A [Sibghatulla]: In comparison to Afghanistan, yes it is. But still petrol is the same price as in Kabul. And food is much cheaper if compared to the income level of Americans.
Moderator: Thank you Saeedi for providing the complete URL for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul: http://kabul.usembassy.gov.
Q [arefjahid]: Hello, Dr Shibghatollah. Are there a lot of competitions among students at US universities? If yes, how serious are these competitions? Do they sometimes cost certain things, such as breakup of communication and relations, as it sometimes happens in Afghanistan? Thanks.
A [Sibghatulla]: Here mostly student compete with goal and objectives not with each other. No one knows who is in the first position in class and who is the last one. Everyone has an objective of learning something in that field and tries to learn as much as possible. Communication with fellows and teachers is very important, and American are very good in it. Americans are keeping mostly communication very professional with each other.
Q [Doctor Jamil]: Dear Dr. Sabghatullah, i am also a medical doctor graduated from Nangarhar medical faculty (2001). Now i am nominated for IV international visiting program to US to see the US libraries, and i submitted my request for fulbright program of (2009-2010) too. My first visit will be in Junw 2008 and i am looking for the result of fulbright program.
My question is: if i go there for fulbright program for two years can i find any job to get some money for my family and send them?
Dr. Jamil
Library Officer of AREU, Kabul, Afghanistan.
A [Sibghatulla]: Dear Dr. Jamil, first I wish you all the best and hope that you will get selected for Fulbright scholarship. Once you get selected for the scholarship you will be given a certain amount of money to cover your housing and daily expenditures. Amount of that money depends on the city in which you live in US, because house rents are expensive in some cities compared to others.
For students to work, each university has an office that assists students to find work. Once you join a university then you can get specific details from the office of international students in that university. You will also need to contact Homeland Security and US State Department that you need to work and they will assess your eligibility for work. The maximum work permission that a sponsored student can get is 20 hours per week.
Q [saeedi]: How do you rate/find the Afghan education system comparing to American.
A [Sibghatulla]: It depends on the resources available. If I compare it as it is then I can say that we need to improve a lot, because currently in Afghanistan we are only teaching things that are from 80s or 70s while here in universities studies are based on new researches and evidences. So I am not seeing a reasonable comparison. Afghanistan's education system is quiet behind.
Q [Shariq]: Hi. If I get a scholarship that is only funding my 2 years of studies in a university in the States (as an undergraduate), is there any other chance to get it extended and to do my graduate degree? – Thanks; Shariq, Kabul.
A [Sibghatulla]: Yes, there are chances. Universities have scholarships for bright students who achieve good grades in their studies. You can also apply for Fulbright scholarship after your undergraduate studies.
Q [Zebo]: Hello Dr. Sibghatullah, hello from Tajikistan. I am English teacher Zebo from Sarband ILC. Do the knowledge which you gain in US helped you in your community? How do you use your knowledge and educational experiences in your country? – Sarband ILC, RI-SOL Tajikistan
A [Sibghatulla]: Thank you Zebo for the important question.
My area of interest for study in US is policy and program development for prevention of HIV. When I go back to Afghanistan, I will try to be a member of the team who are already working for prevention of HIV. I will work with the team on assessment of the current situation of HIV and behaviors that can lead to HIV infection. I will also work on development of interventions to change those behaviors that could be a risk of HIV infection. I think my contribution will make interventions more effective in prevention of HIV, which will be a service to people.
Q [chatter]: What was the most frustrating part about the American education system?
A [Sibghatulla]: Not being able to keep up with the rest of class who are trained from very beginning with working in groups, working on projects, writing and presenting project reports and also doing their daily work.
Q [GCEP Afghanistan Kabul ILC]: Dear Sir: I have 2 questions from you if you answer it will be pleasure for me.
My first question is this: how did you go to US for studying? Because as you know, all Afghans are - really wish to study in - outside of country to be educate but they don’t know how to. Thanks. – Sayed Ebad, GCEP/ ILC/ Afghanistan
A [Sibghatulla]: Thank you Sayed Ebad. I came to US through H. Humphrey Fellowship Program. This program is funded by US State Department and it is designed for people who are in the mid of their career and want to improve their professional ability. It is non-degree program and people are selected through an interview. The process starts by submitting a copy of your CV and a letter of interest in which you will describe how will your field of study help to improve situation in Afghanistan.
If you are in the midpoint of your career, I will strongly recommend to apply for this program. If you are fresh graduate, I will recommend that you may apply to Fulbright scholarship.
To know about the announcement time of these scholarships you can find it on the website of US embassy in Kabul.
Q [Relief intenational]: Hi sir, are you online?
Q [saeedi]: How do you think we can improve education system in Afghansitan?
A [Sibghatulla]: First we need to concentrate on school education, decrease the number of subject from 15 or 17 to only 7 or 8. Secondly we need to increase salaries in order to be able to attract good teachers. Lastly, I suggest to have special concentration on technical education that can provide jobs to those students who are not able to go the higher education.
Moderator: If you are just joining us, welcome! Dr. Sibghatullah is working very hard to answer as many of your questions as possible. We hope you will understand that he may not be able to answer each and every one of your questions directly.
If you have just joined our discussion, you may introduce yourself to the group by selecting the "comment" option.
Comment [isfara]: Dear moderator - Text in Mozilla Firefox is not visible and I think it would be nice to make a note. Many thanks
Q [khyberhimmat]: Dear Dr. Sebqhatullah, let me welcome you to this Webchat from Afghanistan, Jalalabad GCEP -ILC, I hope you are in best, my questions are that how did you happen to apply for a Fellowship in US? How did you find the people of US during your stay there, what are your plans after your fellowship is ended, what is your message for Afghan people specially youth. How do you compare the current situation of Afghanistan with the United States, please share your thoughts with us.
Many thanks, Khyber Himmat
Internet Learning Center Jalalabad, Global Connection and Exchange Project
A [Sibghatulla]: I applied through a cover letter, my CV and application to US embassy in Kabul. I found my stay a little difficult at the beginning but it was just home sickness otherwise it was comfortable. After fellowship, I am coming back to Afghanistan and will work there. My message to youth is to try to learn something that is useful for them immediately, like skills and also those have an opportunity must try to improve their qualification. Qualification for me does not mean degrees from great universities, it means knowing how to do things in right way.
Moderator: Dear Isfara, thank you for alerting us to this problem. We apologize and will look into this. A transcript of today's webchat will be available on our Ask America homepage at http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html.
Comment [Shariq]: Hi! I have just joined; I am Shariq a Fulbright grantee (2008).
Q [Nigina]: Was it difficult for you to enter the University in US? Is it easy for you to study there?
Q [Students from Chkalovsk Relief International School]: Shirinshoh Shirin 11 grade - After graduation of the University where do you plan to work in US or in Afghanistan? Why do you decide to study in the US University? Where do you study in Afghanistan? Azim Akbarzoda 11 grade, Chkalovsk. What kind of American dishes do you like there? Tahmina Atabaeva 9 grade, Chkalovsk What is you most great impression of visiting US? Do you miss your family? Farhod Karimov 11 grade, Chkalovsk Was it difficult for you to apply to this program and study in US? I would like to apply any program and study in US? What will you advise me? Marjona Toirova 8 grade, Chkalovsk Relief International School Online Tajikistan
A [Sibghatulla]: After graduation, I am going back to Afghanistan. America has food from different cultures so it is difficult here to say what is American food. There are restaurant from every country. I miss my family very much. I applied to the program through embassy US in Kabul.
Q [Chat Participant]: Students from GCEP Tajikistan ask: What was your first impressions [of the USA]? – Sarband ILC, RI-SOL Tajikistan
A [Sibghatulla]: First impression was not very good. One reason was that I had rented a place through e-mail correspondence, which was in a very old building, while it looked very nice on the internet. Second reason was the people driving eight cylinder heavy jeeps and four by four vehicles on nice roads in the middle of the city. It gave me the impression of arrogance in the people, which change with time when I got the opportunity of knowing more people from close.
Q [Chat Participant]: Did you suffer the homesickness, how long does it take to get use to the American cultural practices. – ZAHID, National Environmental Protection Agency, Fulbright Fellow
A [Sibghatulla]: In the first month, yes, I did suffer from home sickness. I can not say if I am even now totally use to American culture because it is a large country with so many cultures, any how, when I started not to feel strange about it happened almost the second week.
Q [Chat Participant]: Hello Dr. Sibghatullah, students from GCEP Tajikistan ask: What was [your most] unforgettable day in USA? – Sarband ILC, RI-SOL Tajikistan
A [Sibghatulla]: It was when I went to Air and Space Museum for the first time in Washington, DC and saw the first airplanes and models and original parts of space rockets and spacecrafts. I spent the whole day there, I was amazed by it.
Q [Chat Participant]: What you came to know special within American Students, during your campus life, are they welcoming and friendly? – Zahid
A [Sibghatulla]: At Johns Hopkins, every body is very busy because here the master of public health course is completed in 10 months instead of 2 years. What I am amazed about is that American students have larger capacity of work compared to Asians. The people whom I encountered were very warmly welcoming and very much interested to know more about Afghanistan.
Moderator: The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics. Visit the museum's website at http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/.
Q [Chat Participant]: What is your future plan after completing your studying? Will you come back to Afghanistan or you will stay in US? Because as you know that Afghanistan really needs educated people like you. Thanks, Sayed Ebad, GCEP/ ILC/ Afghanistan.
A [Sibghatulla]: Dear Sayed Ebad, I am completing my study program in June 2008, and have already got my tickets to Kabul. I have no plans to stay in US for longer periods. I want to come home as soon as possible and work.
Q [Zebo]: Hello Dr. Sibghatullah, we students from GCEP Tajikistan. We have some questions to you: Is this was your first visit to USA? – Sarband ILC, RI-SOL Tajikistan
A [Sibghatulla]: Thank you very much for participating in the webchat. Yes this is my first time in US.
Q [isfara]: The Hubert Humphrey is a non-degree program and its seems you are involved mostly in practical work. What do you usually do except studies? – RI-SOL/Tajikistan
A [Sibghatulla]: I attend leadership training seminars in which I presented problems analysis, solution and proposal for it in different stages. I worked on WTO and its effects on health in Afghanistan. I participated in practical work for community, school and church based interventions development of HIV prevention and behavior assessment in Botswana.
Q [Doctor Jamil]: Dear Dr. Sabghatullah, second question: I am graduated from medical but am working as librarian for 4 years in Afghanistan and got too much experiences from one of my colleagues in library science. He is from New Zealand and Doctor of Library science, is it possible for me to get more education in library science in US in case I don’t have any legal certificate of library science? – Dr. Jamil, Library Officer of AREU, Kabul, Afghanistan
A [Sibghatulla]: Dear Dr. Jamil, yes, it is possible to get more education in library sciences, you can also apply to Fulbright scholarship in it. For any scholarship, specifically for Fulbright scholarship it is very important to explain usefulness of the field you have selected and your ability to utilize your education for Afghanistan in future. Secondly, it is also good to explain how you can help to be a connecting bridge between the two people of Afghanistan and US in future.
Q [Doctor Jamil]: My third question is: My visa will be approved in June 2008 for IV program, i will stay there in Washington DC for one month, and will visit New York and some other cities. Will I have some restriction there or not, I mean can I walk or drive any time or the program should be given to me by the person whom I will be in contact? Thanks, Dr. Jamil.
A [Sibghatulla]: There is no restriction on anybody in US when he/she is not doing something against the law. And it is not complicated to understand the law, whatever is considered bad in Kabul or, any other place, it is also considered bad here. If you have time you can travel to any place without any restrictions. For finding cheaper bus routes and timings you can start your search on Google from now and make a schedule for your free time here in US.
The program, which you are going to attend, will need you to follow the schedule and be on time in the meetings and speeches. And I am sure you are already used to that in your current job. In your free time, you can visit any place you want but I will suggest seeing map of Washington city and its metro (underground transportation). All these information are available on line, you need to Google it. If you want to rent a car here and drive, you will need to bring your international driving license with you and pass a driving test here.
Q [Doctor Jamil]: Fourth question: Can I visit some [government officials] in my IV program or not? I want to visit Laura Bush, because she is a librarian, I want to explain her the libraries situation of Afghanistan is, so how can I visit her? Thanks, Dr. Jamil.
A [Sibghatulla]: Yes you can, but it is important to find about her office and contact them quit early and have an appointment. Otherwise, I am not sure if you will get time with a short notice. Here, everybody keeps time well managed and it is not rude if some one denies meeting a person who did not have an appointment for the meeting. Secondly, when you ask someone here for a meeting, you need to inform her/him about the agenda and time that you need for meeting.
Comment [isfara]: As I am very much touched by reading the “The Kite Runner” of Khaleed Hosseini.
Comment [arefjahid]: I am Aref Jahid, one of this year's Fulbright grantees. I suggest that those who would like to study in US universities to visit the US embassy's official website. There's an announcement at the beginning of every year. You can go through the instructions and see how to apply for this scholarship. Of course, students with good grades and clear future objectives will be selected. In addition, you need to have a good knowledge of English because there will be a TOEFL test after your application is selected.
Q [arefjahid]: Thanks for the answer to my question about competitions, Dr. Shibghatollah. You pointed at a quite sensitive issue, communication. What are some of your recommendations for us with communicating with American professors, students and ordinary people and friends? Thank you.
A [Sibghatulla]: With professor: Ask them frequently for meetings. Always ask them with good amount of notice period, always send them the agenda on which you want to talk to them. Try to ask them even if you think it is a very simple thing. When you face any type of problem in studies or projects ask your advisor or professor about it. With student you can improve your relation to go well prepared to group works, that improves your image among classmates, try to be the reporter in project works. It gives you centrality in group work and attract others towards. Avoid any type of arguments with students even if you feel the opponent is just talking foolish.
Q [Chat Participant]: Question from Tajik students from Internet Learning Center in Kayrakkum, Tajikistan: Do Afghan children learn any foreign languages except English at schools? What is the language of Education in Afganistan? – Tanzila Aslonova Kayrakkum, school # 14
A [Sibghatulla]: Dear Tanzila, in Afghanistan children do not learn other foreign languages except English. Medium of education is Dari and Pashto.
Q [Chat Participant]: Question from Tajik students from Internet Learning Center in Kayrakkum, Tajikistan: Do girls and boys study together in one class or capered in Afghanistan? – Muqadas Abdulloeva Kayrakkum, school #14
A [Sibghatulla]: In primary schools they study in one class, but after primary, girls go to girls school and boys go to boys school.
Q [Chat Participant]: Question from Tajik students from Internet Learning Center in Kayrakkum, Tajikistan: Do the students wear school uniform at school in Afghanistan as in other countries? – Farhad Barotov Kayrakkum, school # 14
A [Sibghatulla]: In Afghanistan, students of private schools wear uniform, but students of government schools do not wear a uniform.
Q [Chat Participants - Question from Tajik students from Internet Learning Center in Kayrakkum, Tajikistan]: Have the girls in Afghanistan [an opportunity to] continue their education abroad? Fotima Esanova Kayrakkum, school # 14.
How many schools are there in the far distant parts of Afghanistan? Do the children from far regions of the country study at school? Fotima Esanova Kayrakkum, school # 14.
Dear Dr. Sibghatullah I am a teacher at a secondary school. I want to know how the girls receive education in Afghanistan? After graduating of the high school whether they received higher education at the institutions? I'm young teacher and I want to know whether the young professionals come to work in a secondary school of Afghanistan? Do you like to study in USA? Qambarova Zarina Kayrakkum, school # 14
A [Sibghatulla]: Dear Fotima, I think some girls have the opportunity but all not all girls. To let women to travel for longer distances and times is still consider not good by many people.
As I do not have a background in education, therefore, I will not be able to answer your questions about girls’ education. I can tell you in brief that higher education institutions are not sufficient for students in Afghanistan and every year thousand Afghan students do not get chance to attend any higher education.
Dear Zarina, Yes I liked my study program very much. I was combination of class study, project work and professional affiliation with a project.
Q [King2]: What you like most about the Education system in the US?
A [Sibghatulla]: Here at school of public health every subject is about something that humans practically need it. And I like that very much.
Q [dr.Medo]: I am an EGYPTIAN PHARMACIST and I want 2 continue my education to live and work in United States, How can i do that?
A [Sibghatulla]: I will suggest things in descending order of importance that I think will help you to achieve you goal.
1. Selection of a specific field of study in pharmacy
2. Fluency in written and spoken English Language
3. Wise calculation of financial expenditure OR
4. See your eligibility for Fulbright scholarship
Q [Doctor Jamil]: Dear Dr. Sabghatullah, I will come in June to US by IV program for one month, is it possible to get any scholarship by visiting the universities there? – Dr. jamil, Kabul
A [Sibghatulla]: I do not see a very bright chance of that. Better way is to find out about Fulbright or apply for the Humphrey program which is a very valuable program for people in the mid of their career.
Q [nasirahmad2]: Dr. Sahib, is it possible for a Fulbrighter to apply for PHD in the US after he/she finishes his/her M.A.?
A [Sibghatulla]: It is possible, but according to my knowledge in Afghanistan, Fulbright program is more concentrating on Masters programs. Because 2 years ago a fellow was not accepted for PhD because Afghanistan needs more Masters at the moment than a few PhDs.
Q [Dr. Jehangir Gabar]: Dr. Sibghatullah, there is no doubt that academic and educational system of America is one of the world’s best; however, do you think that your specific state of the art skills could be applied in your home country, where future is uncertain in all means? Additionally, do you see that such tiny, though worthwhile contributions of the US would change the lives of Afghans as they seem trapped in a much longer conflict, which could end at the enormous cost of Pashtuns’ lives? Being in the academic and educational environment, you should be in the position to tell us the end state goal of US government for Afghanistan as I could not figure it out precisely so far?
A [Sibghatulla]: Dr. Jehangir Gabar, thank you very much for the questions. I am going to complete my program in policy and program development for HIV prevention, which will be important to prevent even in the most uncertain situations. I see this contribution of US, as you mentioned, worthwhile but not sufficient at all. This program has sponsored only three Afghans for the year 2007-08 year, which is not sufficient.
For changing lives of people, it is important to have a very integrated and well intended approach. Security is the most important component of changing lives of people. Approaches to change human lives can not be tested in a laboratory; it could only be found in the history and compared to current situation. By comparing the current situation of Afghanistan to the history, I find one thing that we are making some grave mistakes that will leads us to no where but another disaster. But I believe it is still not late to change some policies, improve governance and human rights situation and stop the policy of blaming insurgency and Taliban for all of our failures.
I am not in a very good position to state the end goal of US government, but I can say this much that US needs to listen to people who have good intentions and remove the ‘chalabies’ of Afghanistan from its partnership.
Q [Eng Azizullah Habibi from RI/GCEP/JAAILC Afg]: Within lots of problems that we all see in Afghanistan, do the Afghan professional help Afghanistan damaged education system which are in America? – Samsoor rahat -Relief International- GCE program -Jalalabad ILC Afghanistan
A [Sibghatulla]: I think ministry of education in Afghanistan needs to bring some major changes in the system. I do not see any good opportunity for some one from outside to be very useful to help.
Comment [Relief intenational]: We are waiting that you send us more information about those question that I asked you.
Q [Shariq]: How life looks like in a hostel in US universities? Advantages and disadvantages please, unless you have not experience it yourself.
A [Sibghatulla]: Advantage is that I have the chance to see people from different cultures from very close. Disadvantages are that it is not as comfortable like a house, for example, I do no have a kitchen where I can cook Afghani food for myself so I always rely on sandwiches and burgers.
Moderator: We hope everyone will understand that our speaker is working very hard to answer as many of your questions as possible. He will stay online with us a bit longer than the scheduled 60 minutes.
Q [Mohmand - yusuf RI/GCE JAAL Afghanistan]: In this condition, how the people can complete their education in Afghanistan because the price of everything is become high day by day and also the salary of teachers are 3000Af. – yusuf GCE/JAAILC volunteer
Comment [Eng Azizullah Habibi From RI/GCEP/JAAILC Afg]: 60% people of Afghanistan are non educated because less Number of Schools, Teachers, far Distance , No security and other opportunities regarding Education for Afghan people, Especially for women, we pray for Allah that provide us such opportunities.
Comment [Javid Imam All bokhary orphan school -Relief International- GCE program -Jalalabad ILC Afghanistan]
Comment [Mohmand]: In Afghanistan at schools and universities there isn’t labs for practical work like medical faculty's need lab for practice, chemistry and biology department, Computer Science also need for lab and internet but unfortunately there isn’t these things and Afghanistan just the lecturer teaches theoretical subjects. – Zakira:GCE/ILC JAAL Student
Comment [arefjahid]: I need to add that there is co-education in Afghan universities. I mean girls and boys study together at universities. I assume the only exception is secondary and high schools.
Q [Arshia from Herat - Hi Dr Saheb]: You have mentioned that working in group, report writing, presentations and researches are some of the challenges ahead of the Afghan students entering the US universities. To ease the situation, what do you suggest?
A [Sibghatulla]: I suggest to read a lot of research papers on the subject of our interest. And you can find these in the health sector on www.pubmed.com which is a website for published medical books and journals. Reading research will help to understand how a project was done, how was it analyzed and reported. Second important thing is not to avoid any work burden. I think the biggest loss that we Afghans take is when we start to avoid extra work load in office or in university. When ever someone gives you some work to do, do because it will train you for next job.
Q [isfara]: Dear Dr.Sibghatulla, are you going to write a memoire or any other books about your life in the US? Or have you thought to write one? Ibrahim
A [Sibghatulla]: I have not thought about it yet, because I am not sure to have enough time for it. Secondly, my life in Afghanistan and my work there was more interesting than this one in US.
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Q [Omaid]: Students who have decision to go to America for one year in YES program, have question that how do u advice them and for what regarding?
A [Sibghatulla]: I think it depends on their families more. My advise is to their families to education the student before sending him/her to US about the differences, and also about how important that person is back in his/her family. Otherwise, some times the cultural shock could negatively affect the behavior of the child.
Comment [Shariq]: Dear Doctor; thanks so much for all those good questions everyone shared! I learnt a lot!
Comment [from Dr. Jamil]: "Dear DR. Sabghatullah, thanks so much for your hard working and answering our question, your answers were very use full for us. Thanks. – Dr. Jamil
Comment [arefjahid]: Dr Saheb, thank you for your informative comments and answers to our questions. Wish you success in all aspects of your life. Aref Jahid
Q [saeedi - Mahmood Rahimi, Kabul]: How will you implement what you learned in the U.S. when you come back to Afghanistan?
A [Sibghatulla]: As my area of concentration is HIV prevention so when I am back there in Kabul I will work with HIV surveillance project and after I will work on development of intervention for HIV prevention. Most probably, I will work with the relevant department of MopH.
Comment [isfara]: Thank you for being with us and answering in detail to every question! We appreciate you time. Many thanks and best wishes in your future works. – RISOL/Tajikistan
Q [saeedi]: What are your plans in fighting HIV/AIDS in Afghanistan? As far as i think, the disease is quickly spreading, killing people, but they still don't know about any preventive measures and most of them are totally un-educated.
A [Sibghatulla]: So injecting drug use is the most common route of this disease in Afghanistan, secondly sex work and men having sex with men. We need to identify these groups, keep the confidentiality of their cases and try to change their behavior. To protect some oneself from HIV does not need very higher education, it needs some measure in hospitals and health set up and extensive awareness programs.
Q [isfara]: What TOEFL score is required to apply to the Hubert Humphrey Program?
A [Sibghatulla]: If a person qualifies through his/her application and letter of interest and interview, then higher scores are not needed. In that case the person is called to US one month before the start of the program for learning English skills.
Q [Shariq]: Which university in Afghanistan you attended in? and which years? I colleague of mine who is Dr. Jamil Alakozay (sitting beside me) probably knows you.
A [Sibghatulla]: I went to attend my medical education in The University of Punjab Lahore Pakistan
Moderator: Dr. Sibghatullah continues to review your questions. He will post a closing statement at the end of today's webchat. If you are leaving the chat, thank you for joining us!
Q [saeedi]: Hello Jamshid Mangal here: Just wanted to know about the educational standard of Afghans in the United States? This is because we, Afghans, have suffered a lot, compare to other nations, from the civil war. Mostly people didn't get good education and when they get a chance to study in such a competitive environment, how big is the difference in educational standards?
A [Sibghatulla]: Standards are quit different. I am not able to completely answer this question but I think we need to change our attitude towards educational institutions. And we can show that by putting a good percentage of our budget and expertise into it.
Q [isfara]: Dear Dr.Sibghatulla, did you try to apply to other programs before being selected to the Hubert Humphrey Program? Last year I applied to study ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) in General, as well as in Education through HHH program but didn't become a finalist. I hope this year I will succeed. – Ibrahim
A [Sibghatulla]: I wish you all the best, to get selected.
Q [Omaid]: Hello this is Omaid for LC jalalabad, would you tell me plz what is the secret to find the chance for study in America?
A [Sibghatulla]: Go to the website of US embassy in Kabul. Or find Fulbright scholarship or Humphrey fellowship online and then try to follow the instructions. I am sure you will be - also the one who will find the secret. Personally I did nothing more than that.
Thank you everyone who participated in this discussion and thanks to moderator and people who put their hard work to make this possible.
Moderator: We wish to thank Dr. Sibghatullah for joining us today. The webchat is now closed. A full transcript of today's webchat will be published (usually within one business day) to our Ask America homepage.
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(end transcript)
