The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) is the country’s only private, not-for-profit institution of higher education. Opened in 2006, AUAF equips future leaders with the critical thinking skills and ethical foundations needed to help Afghanistan recover from years of devastating armed conflict.

AUAF is a modern, internationally supported university that values academic integrity and professionalism in all its programs and activities. Boasting a connected, well-equipped campus in the heart of Kabul’s new government district, it prepares students for successful professional careers through disciplined study and practical experience.

AUAF is growing rapidly, with more than 1,000 students expected during the 2011-12 academic year. The all-English curriculum follows the American liberal arts tradition, with special emphasis on the business and professional training sorely needed in rapidly developing Afghanistan. Programs emphasize applied scholarship by grounding practical application in theory.

The university’s talented and motivated students hail from all corners of Afghanistan. AUAF boasts an experienced and largely international faculty, with staff both recruited from abroad and drawn from the existing population of educated and experienced professionals in Kabul.

AUAF is funded by a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. and international foundations, tuition, fees, and corporate and private donations. The university is governed by an autonomous Board of Trustees comprising prominent Afghan and American leaders in business, philanthropy, and education.