UNESCO.ORG | Education | Natural Sciences | Social & Human Sciences | Culture | Communication & Information

WebWorld

graphic element 1

Communication and Information Resources

graphic element 2

News

Communication and Information Sector's news service

Kabul University Goes On-Line

11-10-2002 ()
<b>Kabul University Goes On-Line</b>
Kabul University has now joined the global information society through an Internet link provided by UNESCO. This is the first time that Internet has been available at a higher education institution in Afghanistan.
Speaking at the 9th October launch ceremony, Kabul University’s Rector, Professor Akbar Popal, said “the University was badly affected by 23 years of war, with most of the library books and other documents being destroyed. We cannot replace all the books, but now we can look on the Internet to read materials from all over the world”.

The cyberspace connection has been made to an Internet Café located inside the main library of the University. The nine computers and furniture in the Internet Café were funded through UNESCO by the Government of Japan.

The Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan, Mr. Kinichi Komano, referring to the power of the Internet as an educational and information tool, told the opening ceremony that “this room, although small, might have implications beyond our imagination”.

UNESCO’s Director in Kabul, Martin Hadlow, said that “Kabul University staff and students could now converse with counterparts throughout the world and receive information from anywhere at the click of a mouse”.

The Internet connection is via a Galaxy 2000 satellite system funded and installed by UNESCO. Following the inauguration of the Internet Café, Deans of several University Faculties surfed the Net. For most of them, it was the first time they had ever seen or used the Internet. UNESCO is providing extensive training for staff and students to enable them to fully benefit from the on-line connection.

Related link:

· UNESCO and Afghanistan:
Related themes/countries

      · Afghanistan: News Archive 2002
Share this story:
  • co.mments
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Furl
  • Ma.gnolia
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • Shadows
  • Simpy
  • YahooMyWeb