Mowlavi Ghulam Haider Shahamat spoke at the National and International Industrial Symposium: Economic and Reconstruction Jihad has begun
The National and International Industrial Symposium was held at the initiative of the Technical and Vocational Education Department and the German Organization "Stay in Afghanistan" at the Government Information and Media Center. Representatives and experts from the country's industrial sector, ministries and agencies were present in this program. The aim of holding this symposium was to consult on the establishment and development of industrial and vocational fields using Germany's educational standards, taking into account Afghanistan's industrial needs.
At the beginning of the program, Engineer Waisuallah Sadiqi, head of "Stay in Afghanistan," said that the purpose of establishing this institute in Afghanistan is to increase Afghans' capacity within the country. He added that "Stay in Afghanistan" will create industrial institutes in Afghanistan. Later on, Dr. Tariq Wardak, one of the founders of the institute, along with his colleague Ms. Shakiba, presented more details about the symposium.
Ms. Shakiba said: "Afghanistan has gone through 40 years of war, many have left the country... That is why we launched 'Stay in Afghanistan' to prevent brain drain." She then talked about Germany's technical and vocational education system, saying that "Stay in Afghanistan" brings Germany's technical education system to Afghanistan.
Ahmad Tariq Wardak also added that "Stay in Afghanistan" is a non-governmental organization working in technical and vocational education. He added: "Developing talents, reducing economic dependence, creating job opportunities, developing technical and vocational personnel, turning Afghanistan into an important industrial country are our goals."
Later on, Mowlavi Ghulam Haider Shahamat, head of the Technical and Vocational Education Authority spoke about how military jihad has been victorious and now economic and reconstruction jihad have begun. He pointed out that Islamic Emirate has made great efforts to alleviate poverty in the country. He added that reducing poverty, training skilled labor, and meeting the needs of the job market are also among the goals of the Technical and Vocational Education Authority.
The head of the Technical and Vocational Education Authority emphasized the importance of vocational training in various sectors throughout the country, stating that it is necessary for skilled individuals and even foreign engineers come to the country, while educated youth leave. Mr. Shahamat stated, "Afghanistan's problem is not unemployment, but rather the lack of skilled and vocational individuals who can create entrepreneurship and employment." The head of the department also added that they are trying to prevent young people from leaving the country by providing conditions for them to work. He said, "We have decided to work with the 'Stay in Afghanistan Organization' to prevent young specialists from fleeing and provide suitable working conditions for them." The head of the department also stated that they are trying to adjust their educational standards according to market needs.
Based on an agreement with Stay in Afghanistan Institute, five industrial fields are brought from Germany to Afghanistan every year and promoted.
In continuation of the program, Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada, spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, spoke about the required fields in Afghanistan's industry sector.
Mawlavi Abdul Wahid Faiz, head of skill development at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, also spoke about the important role industry plays in economic development and job creation.
Friiba Nouri, representative of women's chambers of commerce and industries, called today's symposium very important for industrial growth in the country and said, "We hope to work with other institutions to promote industry and commerce in the country." In this regard, a representative from mining and industrial chambers also stated that industrial and commercial sectors need support. He also mentioned a shortage of skilled laborers and said that most companies rely on foreign skilled laborers. The representative expressed hope that by creating industrial institutes, this shortage can be resolved. In continuation of the program, Technical and Vocational Education Department signed cooperation agreements with several institutions including Stay in Afghanistan Organization and the Renewable Energy Union.
