History

The history of Dawat University can be outlined in three distinct phases:

Following the invasion of Afghanistan by the former Soviet Union and the beginning of the Afghan people’s holy jihad, a vast number of mujahideen and Afghan families were forced to migrate to neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan. Among these refugees, there was a significant number of youth and students who had left their higher education incomplete in Afghan universities. They accepted the hardships of migration with the hope of continuing their education and building the future of their country. However, the migration environment initially lacked suitable opportunities for completing higher education.

On the other hand, graduates of religious madrasas and high schools in the refugee community faced serious anxiety. After graduating, they saw no clear path ahead to pursue higher education. This critical situation prompted the cultural and educational officials of the refugee community to think about establishing an academic institution that could meet the educational needs of the young refugee generation—a generation expected to play a fundamental role in the future scientific, cultural, and social reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Although some Islamic countries provided scholarships for a limited number of young Afghans at that time, which was highly appreciated, these scholarships could not meet the demands of thousands of youths eager to pursue higher education. Consequently, the idea of establishing a university for Afghan refugees was raised, and extensive consultations were held with philanthropists and academic figures. Initially, many perspectives regarding this plan were negative, as some believed that establishing and managing a university was no simple task and required specialized professors, financial resources, and proper equipment. Despite these challenges and concerns, the decision was ultimately made to implement the project. Thus, an academic institution under the name “Dawat and Jihad University” was established in the year 1363 (A.H. Solar) through the effective endeavors of Professor Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf and the cooperation of other mujahideen.

In its initial stages, the educational activities of this university began with very rudimentary and simple facilities, and fewer than one hundred students enrolled. However, one of the crucial factors behind the success of this institution was the presence of experienced and seasoned professors from Kabul and Nangarhar universities within the refugee community. These professors joined Dawat and Jihad University, and from the very beginning, they conducted teaching, academic management, examination administration, and University Entrance Exam (Kankor) organization in accordance with rigorous academic and university standards. Specific statutes and regulations were drafted to better manage affairs, ensuring that all activities were carried out based on discipline and law.

The result of these sincere efforts and cooperation was that the university gained significant renown within a short period and became recognized even internationally. A prominent example of this success was the highly precise and organized Kankor entrance examination system of the university, which was designed to completely eliminate any possibility of cheating or malpractice. This precision and discipline led other academic institutions to model their own entrance examination methods after this university.

With the passage of time and an increasing student body, new faculties were established. Among the active faculties at the time were Sharia (Islamic Law), Usul al-Din (Principles of Religion), Arabic Language, Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine, Education, Literature, and Journalism.

With the expansion of its academic activities, the university succeeded in attracting the attention of several international academic bodies. As a result, the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and the Islamic University of Madinah dispatched a number of professors for academic cooperation and teaching, who worked alongside Afghan professors in departments facing faculty shortages.

As progress continued, Dawat and Jihad University succeeded in securing membership in the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), an association comprising dozens of Islamic universities from various countries. The university regularly participated in the annual meetings of this federation held in countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. After several years of membership and the federation members’ growing familiarity with the educational and administrative structure of the university, Dawat and Jihad University was elected as a member of the Executive Council of the Federation in its third year of membership—a council in which only a limited number of member universities served.

As the student enrollment grew to exceed four thousand, the need for more professors became vital. For this reason, a number of prominent and experienced professors from various universities in Peshawar, particularly in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Science, Education, and Literature, were invited to teach at this university. Among them were outstanding professors who played a major role in elevating the academic standard of the students. Notably, Professor Mumtaz Khattak, who completed his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Obstetrics and Gynecology in England and served as the head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Khyber Medical College, taught at this university for five years without receiving any salary, solely out of goodwill and a desire to serve the Afghan refugees, despite a monthly salary being allocated for him.

More than 150 professors with various academic ranks, including Pohand (Professor), Pohanwal (Associate Professor), Pohandoy (Assistant Professor), and Pohanmal (Senior Lecturer), were engaged in teaching at this university, many of whom held Ph.D. and Master’s degrees. Furthermore, approximately 500 students graduated annually across various scientific fields, bringing the total number of graduates over time to thousands.

In subsequent phases, Master’s programs in Sharia and Usul al-Din were launched with the cooperation of professors from the International Islamic University Islamabad, the Islamic University of Madinah, and several Afghan professors, allowing a number of students to complete their higher education within these programs.

Another crucial point in the educational policy of this university was that student admission was not restricted to any specific group; graduates of schools and high schools associated with various jihadist factions could participate in the entrance examination without discrimination. Since many of these students came from remote camps and regions, dormitories were constructed for them, providing not only food and lodging but also a modest stipend to support their living expenses.

To strengthen the academic and moral character of the students, evening training and cultural programs were organized alongside the daytime educational curriculum. To prevent the infiltration of factional disputes into the university’s academic environment, the publications and political activities of political factions were strictly banned inside the university, ensuring that the academic environment remained secure from any tension or conflict. Consequently, Dawat and Jihad University became one of the most important academic centers for Afghan refugees during the migration era, playing a pivotal role in training academic and professional cadres who later served in various scientific and social fields within Afghanistan and other nations.

Following the victory of the Afghan mujahideen over the forces of the former Soviet Union and the subsequent political changes in the country, the groundwork was laid for the return of many Afghan refugees from neighboring countries. In this context, Dawat and Jihad University, which had widespread academic and educational activities in Peshawar, Pakistan during the exile period, was relocated to Afghanistan to continue its academic missions inside the country.

Upon the relocation of this academic institution to Afghanistan, and in order to organize and better integrate the higher education system, the decision was made to merge Dawat and Jihad University with Kabul University. This step was taken to strengthen academic capacities, utilize existing facilities more effectively, and create greater harmony within the higher education system of the country.

As a result of this merger, a number of professors and students from this university continued their academic and educational activities within the framework of Kabul University. The academic and administrative experience acquired during the migration era was utilized to reinforce Afghanistan’s higher education system. This phase can be considered one of the important chapters in the history of Dawat University, as its relocation from the refugee environment into the country demonstrated the deep connection of this academic institution with the destiny and academic future of Afghanistan.

In view of the extensive political, social, and economic developments in Afghanistan following the years of war, and considering the growing population and the rising daily needs of society for higher education institutions, the original founders and trustees of Dawat University decided to resume the academic activities of this institution inside the country under the name “Dawat University.”

Consequently, this academic institution obtained its official operating license from the Ministry of Higher Education of Afghanistan in the year 1388 (A.H. Solar / 2009 A.D.) and initiated its educational activities in the fields of Engineering, Law, and Sharia.

One year after the resumption of activities, in 1389 (A.H. Solar), two additional faculties—Economics and Journalism—were established alongside the existing ones. The process of academic expansion continued, leading to the creation of the Faculty of Pharmacy in 1390 (A.H. Solar) and the Faculty of Curative Medicine for female students in 1391 (A.H. Solar).

In the ongoing expansion of its academic programs, Dawat University succeeded in launching Master’s degree programs in the years 1392 and 1396 (A.H. Solar). These programs include Jurisprudence and Law within the Faculty of Sharia, and International Relations within the Faculty of Law and Political Science.

In the area of evaluation and quality assurance, the university has been reviewed by the relevant bodies of the Ministry of Higher Education and is recognized as one of the prestigious institutions in the country. It has successfully passed multiple quality assurance cycles and has presented thousands of graduates to society in both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs across various disciplines.