Report: Celebration of the First Anniversary of Woman Online University.
Date: 22/12/ 2023.
Location: Woman Online University.
Platform: Google Meet.

The celebration of the first anniversary of Woman Online University was held with the presence of the university’s leadership, professors, special guests, scientific and academic figures, students, parents of students, and enthusiasts of science and knowledge.

Introduction:
The event began with the recitation of the Noble Quran by Ms. Zohra Mirzad, one of the students of the university.

Subsequently, the introduction of Woman Online University was presented by Ms. Najma Samakani, one of the students of the university. Additionally, a video introducing the 14 faculties and administrative departments of Woman Online University was presented by the media team.

Later, Dr. Zainab Abulfazl, the academic deputy of the Woman Online University, was invited to speak about the establishment of the university.

In this section of the event, Ms. Shukria Barakzai, the honored guest, was invited to present her insightful remarks regarding the establishment of this scientific and academic institution.

Ms. Barakzai stated:
– Greetings to those who fight for enlightenment in the midst of all despair.
– Greetings to those who have chosen knowledge over ignorance.
– Greetings to those who want to stand up for justice and their rights.

I want to express my gratitude to all the pioneers and founders of this institute, or university who have done more than anyone else. I am very pleased. When you were talking and I watched the videos, tears were streaming down my face—tears of joy and sorrow at the same time.

The joy was because, in all despair, there are still individuals who, want to be true to themselves and have confidence in themselves as human beings.
Certainly! Here is the accurate translation of the provided text:

But, by the way, the despair was because after all these years of struggle and effort, we have returned to square one. Firstly, let me tell you that if you’re interested, I am willing to be a part-time lecturer for you, in the field of law, just like all those accommodating friends. Furthermore, if there is a greater need for professors, especially those living abroad, I would be happy to collaborate with your university in this regard. Let’s go and knock on the doors and seek the assistance of all the honorable individuals who have their hearts set on Afghanistan, both foreign and domestic.

I’m not saying how challenging these days are that you are experiencing. I was also a student when the army of ignorance arrived. Unfortunately, in Afghanistan, for more than a hundred years, there has been an ongoing war between knowledge and ignorance.

Without doubt, knowledge and education are victorious. We believe in this and have confidence. But permit me to say, my dear ones, to you kind-hearted individuals, to you beloved sisters, and to those brothers who have toiled and made this opportunity available to us and stood by our side, this is it. Never let despair prevail over your ideals and aspirations. Never be disheartened or hopeless. Never lose your self-confidence, and never allow others to determine your future. The strength you possess, the energy you have, the intelligence you possess, the patience you have, and the courage you exhibit are all beautiful jewels that only you and people like you possess.
My dear ones; my beloved sisters and the brave women of my land, the men standing beside us in these difficult days are truly courageous.

I am very glad to have seen Mr. Salangi and Professors online. I am grateful to all of them, as one of you and as your humble servant.

Unfortunately, I have a prior meeting and cannot be physically present with you. I will only change the device because the internet is not reliable where I am going, and there are other constraints as well. We are using a train, and I cannot have a video conversation with you.

I wish we could hear the voices of all those hands that were raised for speaking up, and hear their messages.

We haven’t forgotten you, and you will not be forgotten. Our fight continues.

The light of justice is shining ahead, regardless of how thick the clouds of ignorance, darkness, resentment, hatred, and war may be. We believe in the sun of justice and we can search for this justice and this radiant sun in the refuge of knowledge. The same knowledge that you are passionate about today. The same understanding that you are seeking. And the same opportunity that you have created amidst all the limitations in the midst of that darkness.

I believe in the reality of our struggle, and I feel deeply ashamed that after 26 years of fighting, I am still standing in a position where 26 years ago, we started with home lessons and home schools, and now, thank God, we are starting faculties at the level of homes.

I am making an effort to convey your voices to all those who should hear them. Of course, I am also collaborating with other faculties and private schools, but it’s really something special and unique to women and being in service to them. I saw it for the first time after years today, and it’s something that you consider as a counted account. I hope our collaboration continues, and today’s speech is not the beginning and the end of me. I understand that I am deprived of seeing your faces on the screen, but I believe that a day will come when we live in our homeland, stand beside each other as humans, not based on gender, language, religion, or faith, and not be subject to discrimination.

Let’s start a new page with the pride of being women, being girls, being in Afghanistan, regardless of whether it’s heaven or hell.

After the honorable speech by Ms. Barakzai, the second part of the video consisted of opinions and congratulations of the students and their parents was played by the media team. Later, Professor Abdul Farid Salangi, the chancellor and Founder of the Woman Online University, was invited to provide information about this academic institution.

Mr. Salangi stated:
During its one-year activity, the Woman Online University has successfully established a quality and effective online learning platform. The Woman Online University is recognized as a leading educational reference. It enables students to continue their education with flexibility in terms of time and location, while benefiting from up-to-date educational resources and facilities.

Following that, another special guest, Ms. Fawzia Kofi, was invited to provide her insightful remarks about the Woman Online University.

Ms. Kofi began by extending greetings and respect to all participants.
In a situation where everything seems impossible for us and everyone is talking about how every small task is difficult in Afghanistan, Mr. Salangi and his team have proven two things. First, there is always a possibility if we have commitment and motivation. What we say must be put into action, believed in, and demonstrated in practice. Second, the use of technology has been proven effective not only during the time of the pandemic but continues to be relevant. Some people in Afghanistan make excuses that it is impossible for us to access educational institutions or opportunities due to slow internet speed. However, it has been proven that if they truly commit themselves, they can overcome all challenges and limitations in a reasonable manner.

When I watched the few-minute announcement video, especially the expressions of gratitude from the families, fathers, and brothers of the students regarding the creation of this educational opportunity, I was delighted from one aspect that this initiative was established by Afghan men, and on the other hand, it raised a question for me. Why don’t these same brothers and men who are expressing their satisfaction with the establishment of this university in practice stand alongside their sisters who are deprived of educational and learning opportunities in Afghanistan’s difficult conditions? Why don’t Afghan men today, like Mr. Salangi and the honorable professors, fulfill their responsibility towards history by launching this initiative? Why are Afghan men silent today? The image that unfortunately has been presented from Afghanistan to the world is an image in opposition to all global advancements, in opposition to education, in opposition to development, in opposition to progress. But this is not the real image of Afghanistan. The real image of Afghanistan is that women and men come together for a better Afghanistan where all segments and groups benefit from the right to education and work.

I believe this is a great opportunity for our friends to take advantage of, and we are in contact with Professor Salangi and his colleagues to see how we can expand this opportunity. We want to create a more conducive environment for girls to not only learn virtually but also coordinate with Professor Farid and other friends to ensure that if there are opportunities, girls can physically participate in scholarships and continue their studies at various universities around the world.

In my recent remarks during the General Assembly at the UN, I mentioned that while everyone talks about women’s rights, the question remains whether they are willing to support a group of girls by providing scholarships for them to continue their education abroad. I proposed starting with ten thousand girls, providing them with scholarships to pursue their studies outside Afghanistan for four years until they complete their undergraduate degrees. I am confident that when they return, they will contribute to a transformed Afghanistan by utilizing their knowledge and academic training for its progress.

We are collaborating with various countries on this matter, but I encourage you to seize the opportunities you have. I understand that Professor Salangi and his colleagues are making efforts despite limited resources. Nevertheless, as the people of Afghanistan, we have the ability to think and utilize our own ideas. It is true that the initiatives Afghan youth can undertake are not common in many countries. In Afghanistan, both men and women who engage in such endeavors, including those who are not in universities, start with limited resources. This demonstrates a form of resistance, a resistance against the current situation where we are dissatisfied with the fact that our sisters are not allowed to work and study in schools. I believe that each of these small efforts you are making represents resilience and a fight for a better Afghanistan.

I applaud all the contributors to the Woman Online University and express my support. We are all together on this path, and it is a collective journey. As I mentioned, we are working on providing scholarships and educational opportunities, but we are also working on other aspects. Whatever it may be, even the smallest action we can take is to encourage our sisters to continue their education. The current situation will not last, but your academic achievements will always be with you. Do not lose hope that if you go to university, your education will be wasted. If you earn a bachelor’s degree, where will it be utilized? Sometimes I hear these questions from our dear girls. Do not lose hope, respected professors, and do not think that this situation is permanent. Your academic achievements, whether through this avenue or any other institution where you receive education, will always be valuable.

After the honorable remarks of Ms. Kofi, the Deputy of Student Affairs, spoke about the efforts of girls in the country to access education despite the difficult conditions, and she congratulated the anniversary of the Woman Online University.

After that another special guest Ms. Rahela Sadeghi, the head of Rahela Trust, honored the program with her words. She added:

To those who mark the date and to those who create history, respected Professor Salangi and esteemed professors of the Woman Online University! This is truly a unique initiative to provide education for brave Afghan girls.

I have realized in this program that our dear sisters are in leadership positions. It is a well-known model that gradually this culture should be adopted, so those who deserve and have talent can utilize their qualifications and knowledge from among our sisters and contribute to serving the nation. In one section of Rahela Trust’s work with the Woman Online University, we discussed how to provide internet access to more than 5,000 girls. Considering our budget, we aim to provide scholarships to ten girls who meet our criteria. Professor Salangi has emphasized for years that the Woman Online University should not be financially burdened, but rather be considered in a positive way. This itself demonstrates that a culture of positivity is being implemented in Afghanistan, and this is a model that should be replicated.

I truly honor the high and noble efforts of the esteemed professors who teach and work diligently, as well as the courage of the dear girls who, despite the challenging circumstances, consider themselves responsible for learning, knowing, and building the future.

And as Ms.Barakzai said, we will never stop. We are flowing water that will fight until the last moments to restore the rights of humanity, as women are also human beings.

Regarding the opening of the Woman Online University website, Mr. Sayed Ahmad Ebrahimi, the esteemed professor, was asked to introduce the university website.

Professor Ebrahimi provided information about the launch of the university website and stated that the first section of the site, which is accessible to the general public, allows them to access university-related topics. The second section of the website is dedicated to the messaging forum, where in most developing countries, students are not asked any questions. This forum has been created to enable students to share their academic and scientific topics, and it is an active forum for university students, accessible on Google.

The third section of the university website is the academic management section, which encompasses all the teaching subjects of the university, including professors, students, and department classes. All professors and students will register through a platform that has been prepared for registration, and no one will have access to the university without permission.

Finally, all three sections of the Woman Online University website are active and usable.

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