Strengthening mathematics, science and economic policy capacity in Afghanistan and Central Asia
Programs and partnerships
Lead institution(s)
Summary
Afghanistan and Central Asia face serious climate and economic challenges.Read more
Afghanistan and Central Asia face serious climate and economic challenges. This project, led by the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada (AKFC) and the University of Central Asia, will help the region to respond to these challenges by strengthening individual and organizational skills in mathematics, environmental science, and economic policy-making in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. It will train teachers in Afghanistan in effective mathematics and gender-responsive teaching methods; enhance scientific teaching and climate change research in Afghan and Tajik universities with a special focus on advancing women scientists; and build the capacity of officials and civil society organizations in all three countries to use research in the analysis of economic policy issues.
Altogether some 300 people (200 women) will receive in-depth training, with a further 1,300 being involved in workshops. The new pedagogies are expected to contribute to improved educational outcomes for over 50,000 Afghan students (40% are girls). The project builds on a previous initiative co-funded by IDRC and AKFC in which the University of Central Asia trained local government and federal civil servants in the same countries in evidence-based policymaking, and supported research by graduate students on climate change and natural resource management through that university’s Mountain Societies Research Institute.
This project will be co-funded by AKFC and IDRC. IDRC is funding the Afghan component, which will involve a number of collaborating institutions from the region, Canada, and Europe.