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Ghazni Technical Universety PDC

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Brief Introduction of the Professional Development Center at Ghazni Technical University

The Ministry of Higher Education constantly strives to train skilled and knowledgeable personnel of high quality, keeping in mind the needs of society. In the 21st century, the expectations and demands from a professor in an academic and scientific environment go beyond traditional teaching methods. There is a strong emphasis on involving students in active learning processes and utilizing modern methods and skills in the transfer of knowledge within universities through a fresh perspective. Effective use of information technology is also crucial in this regard. Through this approach, it is possible to present a competent workforce to the job market, equipped with complete knowledge and skills. Therefore, the Ministry of Higher Education, as a policy-making institution, considers it necessary to ensure that every university in the country pays adequate attention to this matter and incorporates it into their academic priorities.

With the help of the Higher Education Development Program (HEDP), an important initiative has been taken to enhance the professional knowledge of not only professors but also administrative and technical staff and to standardize the current academic system. This initiative involves the establishment of Professional Development Centers (PDC) in universities. These centers will work to enhance the professional skills of professors and staff in teaching, learning, good governance, management, research, and other technical fields by providing, managing, and evaluating necessary training programs and facilities.

As a state academic institution, the Ministry of Higher Education of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, under the law of public higher education and other applicable legislative documents, creates opportunities for the professional development of academic staff. It provides training and encouragement for professors in the fields of research, teaching, and scientific innovations, ensuring the optimal use of university resources and offering facilities to all universities and higher education institutes in the center and provinces.

Ghazni Technical University is the second university at the national level that operates solely in the field of engineering. Over the past two years, it has made significant progress, one of which is the establishment of the PDC center within the framework of the academic deputy in 1402 (2023). The center was created and began its activities based on the Higher Education Office's order number 481, dated 24/12/1444. The PDC center has defined its vision, mission, and objectives in alignment with the goals and strategies of the ministry and the university, and it will make every effort to achieve them.

Administrative Structure of the Professional Development Center

The PDC (Professional Development Center) consists of a head, two administrative staff members, one service worker, and an advisory board. For the first time, a lecturer from the Faculty of Electromechanics, Mr. Nik Mohammad Rishten, an assistant professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at Ghazni Technical University, was nominated to lead this center. After receiving approval from the Ministry of Higher Education, he officially began his duties.

The head of the center and the advisory board members will be part of the academic staff of the university, ensuring that the operations are carried out efficiently. The duties and responsibilities of the PDC's administrative structure have been thoroughly detailed as follows.

 

Responsibilities of the Professional Development Center (PDC)

  • Carrying out tasks aligned with the university's strategies to achieve the PDC's vision, mission, and objectives.
  • Developing long-term, annual, semi-annual, and monthly plans for training programs.
  • In coordination with the academic, administrative, and student affairs deputies of the university, as well as faculty heads, department chairs, and center supervisors, organizing professional training programs in academic, administrative, and technical areas, along with promoting new teaching methods and techniques.
  • Enhancing professors' capacity to utilize educational technology.
  • Organizing training programs for private higher education institutions, government, and non-government organizations to generate revenue.
  • Establishing relationships with internal and external donors to fund the PDC and its training programs.
  • Managing, organizing, registering, evaluating, and issuing certificates for training programs.
  • Providing professional training programs for professors in teaching and learning (OBE-SCL), research, and leadership.
  • Preparing necessary training programs for administrative and technical staff in relevant areas.
  • Using a Content Management System (CMS) for sharing academic programs and materials.
  • Maintaining a structured database for academic and professional programs.
  • Issuing certificates to professors and staff upon completion of training programs.
  • Evaluating the training programs.
  • Regularly reporting to the academic deputy of the university.
  • Organizing short-term training on professional and ethical standards for professors, administrative staff, and students.

Duties of the Head of the Professional Development Center (PDC)

  • Carrying out the responsibilities of the PDC in accordance with its functions.
  • Preparing and proposing monthly, quarterly, and annual plans to achieve the center's objectives.
  • Implementing and managing professional training programs.
  • Actively participating as the academic secretary in the meetings of the academic council and professional development board.
  • Reporting the center's activities to the university leadership, particularly to the academic deputy.
  • Monitoring and supervising ongoing programs.
  • Striving to generate revenue for the center.
  • Establishing relationships with donor organizations to fund the development of the PDC and its training programs.
  • Maintaining communication with the university leadership, faculties, departments, and centers.
  • Actively participating in relevant meetings within and outside the university.
  • Identifying and launching training programs in consultation with the advisory board.
  • Sharing feedback from the advisory board with the university leadership.
  • Regularly supervising the PDC staff.
  • Submitting reports to the academic deputy.
  • Developing and implementing growth plans.
  • Holding meetings with department heads and the Ministry of Higher Education regarding the professional skills of students.

 

Introduction to the Advisory Board

The PDC (Professional Development Center) has an advisory board that assists in fulfilling the center's mission. The purpose of this advisory board is to provide guidance and advice for professional training programs. Board members suggest necessary training programs that are aligned with contemporary needs and the university’s objectives, aiming to enhance professional knowledge and keep up with the times. The board members are knowledgeable, skilled, and professional individuals in teaching and learning methods, leadership and management, research, and other relevant areas. They play a vital role in planning, prioritizing, and evaluating training programs, contributing to the center’s progress.

Vision The PDC at Ghazni Technical University will be a leading center for the professional development of faculty members and administrative staff across the country.

Mission To provide and facilitate the transfer of essential and new skills, practices, and procedures to faculty members and staff by utilizing comprehensive and necessary resources in their respective fields.

Objectives

  • Improving the quality of teaching and learning.
  • Enhancing the quality of research.
  • Promoting good management and leadership skills.
  • Developing the skills of IT and library staff.
  • Enhancing the technical skills of faculty and administrative staff.
  • Strengthening new teaching methods.
  • Increasing the capacity of members of quality improvement and strategic planning committees.
  • Enhancing the capacity of faculty in Blended Learning and E-Learning.
  • Generating revenue through training programs.
  • Striving to enhance national and international credibility.
  • Promoting the professional skills of faculty and staff.
  • Providing opportunities for transferring essential skills.
  • Working to standardize and modernize the academic system.
  • Accelerating the strategic development and success of the university.

Duties of the Advisory Board

  • Regular participation in center meetings.
  • Sharing knowledge and advice in relevant areas for the development of the center’s strategic and operational plans, in alignment with the university’s vision, mission, objectives, and strategies.
  • Providing advice on planning training programs to advance leadership, management, teaching, learning, and technical affairs within the university.
  • Monitoring training programs and sharing feedback and suggestions with the center.