UMEF HOLDS TWO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES:

In May 2009 UMEF (the University of Management, Economics and Finance) held its first international conference in Geneva, Switzerland on the opening of the Dunya Institute for Higher Education (DIHE) in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The second international conference was held in Hamburg, Germany on the 27th June 2009. The main subjects addressed at both conferences were the actual achievement of getting an further education establishment , running and providing high quality education up to Masters level in a country that needs this type of help, and the cooperation and assistance of the government and citizens of Afghanistan.

The first day of the Hamburg International Conference was the orientation and introduction of guests to each other and the showing of the film of the Geneva conference. The second day was given over to speeches by the visiting guests of honour and important dignitaries. The President of UMEF, Mr. D.Sangdel, who is also the founder of DIHE in Kabul talked about the history of the new establishment, its teaching methods and activities. Doctor Assadullah Habib in his speech said “I am very happy to count myself among honorable professors and intellectuals of our country.”He went on to say that he thought that the establishment of the DIHE is very valuable for the future of Afghanistan and asked participants to put any questions they might have. UMEF was honoured to have contributions from the following guests:

- Doctor Sayed Mohammad Husain Husaini
- Doctor Mohammad Anwar Dost
- Doctor Hadi Ahmad yar
- Doctor Kamandi
- Doctor Leqa Najm
- Doctor Dastgir Rezaye
- Doctor Hashmatullah Husaini
- Doctor Elim Masoomi
- Doctor Hamidullah Mofeed
- Doctor Safi
- Ustad Enayatullah Habib
- Miss Maryam Gardizi (youth specialist)

Mr D.Sangdel, inconcluding the conference, expressed his thanks to everyone who took part and made the 2 days such a success.He said that “This has been an excellent conference, and extremely worthwhile, and the next generation are coming through right behind us and this is a perfect opportunity to provide a platform for their future, giving the younger generation access to the reservoir of knowledge contained the experiences of the country’s intellectuals. The DIHE is an institution built to respect the traditions of the past while building a bridge to the future.”

Dunya Institute for Higher Education holds a five day educational seminar with the collaboration of UMEF University and its partners on 4th August 2009 in the main campus of DIHE.

Mr. D.Sangdel, President and founder of DIHE, in his inaugural speech expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of Afghan and foreign professors and intellectuals and the assistance of the University of Management, Economics and Finance (UMEF) and its partners.

Mr. D.Sangdel in his speech gave some information about the DIHE’s teaching methods, the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), the ability to send outstanding students to Swiss Universities, granting two diplomas (national and international) for students who have graduated, classes equipped with modern and up-to-date technology, a library, a Mosque, the Internet, a free kindergarten, a canteen, parking and other facilities, for which he received a warm ovation from the audience.

After Mr. D.Sangdel’s speech, other speakers took their turn. They were, in order, Dr. Dastgir Rezai, a specialist in economics specialist from Afghanistan but now residence in Holland, Yaniss Papinouno, professor of political science from Greece, but living in Switzerland, Edgar Bellow, Ph.D. of international business from Brazil, living in France and Professor Samweal Wee, professor of management, leadership and finance from Singapore, also residing in Switzerland. All are professors at UMEF and talked about the benefit that a high quality education can bring, the importance of establishing DIHE and the vision, creativity and energy of Mr. D.Sangdel.

Ph.D Edgar Bellow, in his speech, talked about the genius, the creative ability and good leadership of Mr. D.Sangdel and proudly added: “He was my student a few years ago and he followed my direction, but right now I am getting direction from him!”
At the end of the ceremony, which finished at 9:00 pm, questions were taken from the floor and they included questions regarding that why the DIHE was established, the amount of educational fee, the terms of admission for those students that have financial problems and who are unable to pay the fee and the issues regarding those persons who are living far from the Institute.

All questions were answered by the  Founder of DIHE to the satisfaction of all present.
The most exciting, and perhaps rewarding, part of the program was when some of the boys and girls, the next generation, surrounded Mr. D.Sangdel and asked questions and he answered the questions with patience. While answering these questions Mr. D.Sangdel pointed out to a young boy who was disabled, missing both his feet and had come with his wheelchair to the seminar sessions and said “This young man has so much desire to complete his higher education despite his handicap and despite the fact that he has no income to pay the fee. His courage and tenacity touched me and I made decision to pay his course fees from my own pocket until his graduation.”

This assistance and commiseration of Mr. D.Sangdel raised the excitement among the delegates and they called him a “champion”. General Ahmad Shah Sangdel, the representative of Nejat Foundation in Holland who were also participating in the seminars presented him with a new wheel chair as a gift to help him be able to have easier movement around the campus so that he is able to concentrate fully on his education.

It is worth mentioning that all those who took part in this educational seminar were awarded a certificate by both DIHE and UMEF.


Dr. Abdullah Abdullah visits Dunya Institute for Higher Education

On July 5, 2010, the Presidential candidate and former Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah visited Dunya Institute for Higher Education.  During his visit he met the President, lecturers, staff and students of DIHE.
He declared:
« Afghanistan is a country with a great opportunity to use its many resources for the reconstruction and rebuilding of the social services a modern country needs to benefit all its peoples, but with special reference to the education sector.

 “A suitable and safe environment for education has been provided for DIHE students,” added Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in his talks with the DIHE Team.  He went on to say: ”we have to put every effort into education in order to achieve our objectives of learning and of developing this knowledge. In fact, if the rising generation of young Afghans studies and works simultaneously, there is no doubt that the future of our beloved country will be in safe hands, taking its rightful place in the world and ensuring prosperity for all its citizens.”
During his visit Dr. Abdullah Abdullah toured the classes, looking in on lessons and meeting the experienced and motivated professors, encouraging the successful management and administration efforts of DIHE.  In addition he was very happy to give full credit to Mr D. Sangdel for his vision and dynamism and for the great results he has achieved and is achieving
Dr. Abdullah Abdullah said he really appreciated what had been done so far and assured his full support to Mr. Sangdel and his colleagues in their work in establishing an educational foundation in Geneva, Switzerland under the name of Dunya European University.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah continued his speech to the students of DIHE and added: ”we have to   struggle to take realistic steps to ensure a bright future for our youth and I have found the work done here to be really positive and fruitful. If we can work together we will be able to open up a bright path for the coming generation which is going to need our support in the future to build a stable Afghanistan.
Dr. Abdullah Abdullah promised to attend the seminars that will be held by the DIHE and to give an analysis of the economical and political situation in Afghanistan.  For his part, he thanked the DIHE for the warm welcome he had received and expressed a desire to come back to Dunya Institute as often as he could. The President, lecturers, staff members and students of DIHE presented their special thanks to Dr.Abdullah Abdullah for his visit and for his valuable time.