20 Afghan Civil Servants Graduate with Executive Masters in Economic Policy

The 20 Afghan Civil Servants through a partnership with the Ministry of Finance Studied Executive Masters in Economic Policy at University of Central Asia obtained their Master Degrees in Ceremony held at Kabul Serena Hotel today.

In the ceremony, H.E. Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, Acting Minister of Finance and Chief Advisor on Infrastructure to H.E. the President, Ms. Naheed Sarabi, Deputy Minister of Policy at Ministry of Finance as well as other government officials, Mrs. Nurjehan Mawani, Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network, Afghanistan, Dr. Bohdan Krawchenko, Dean of Graduate School of Development, representing UCA, the diplomatic community, representatives of international and national development organizations, and the families of the graduates have participated.

"The Afghan government is committed to increasing the capacity of civil servants. Sending staff to regional universities indicates our commitment," said Dr. Mohammad Humayon Qayoumi, Acting Minister of Finance and Chief Advisor on Infrastructure to H.E. the President, in the opening remarks while congratulating the graduated people.
"This program includes the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Program which its main objective is to increase the capacity of civil service agencies. The vocational training programs leads to increase the capacity of government agencies and graduates can use their cadre capacities serving the people of Afghanistan. The government intends to introduce more staff to the program,” he added.
"Master's degree in economic policy is very effective for civil servants, and we will continue to support the process. We intend to introduce more civil servants to vocational training in the future through this program,” said Mrs. Nurjehan Mawani, Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network, Afghanistan.
"The Master's program focuses on the analytical capacity building of civil servants working in positions related to policy implementation and development. It is a challenging program that is tailored to the realities and needs of Afghanistan," said Dr. Bohdan Krawchenko, Dean of Graduate School of Development, representing UCA.

The Afghan civil servants graduated from the EMEP include 18 representatives of MoF, and 5 learners sponsored by the Aga Khan Foundation in Afghanistan that included one representative of the Ministry of Economy. Over 40% of graduates are women.

It is worth mentioning that, the Ministry of Finance, Canada’s International Development Research Centre and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada supports the program. During a twelve-month period (three semesters) the students learn about methods of policy analysis, statistics, and specific topics such as public finance, trade policy, agriculture, extractive industries, technology and innovation, climate change and poverty, and labor market and human resources development