American University of Afghanistan at Risk of Closure Amid Funding Cuts

American University of Afghanistan at Risk of Closure Amid Funding Cuts The United States State Department has announced it will withhold all direct funding to the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) for the next two years, a decision that threatens the future of an institution that has become a cornerstone of higher education for women in the country. Officials say the move reflects a broader reassessment of American aid priorities in the region, but critics argue the timing is especially cruel given the fragile security situation in Kabul and the dwindling alternatives for Afghan women seeking university‑level instruction. The loss of federal dollars could force AUAF to shutter its campuses, laying off staff and denying hundreds of female students the chance to complete their degrees..

Founded in 2006 with the backing of the U.S. government and a consortium of international partners, AUAF has grown into Afghanistan’s most prominent private university, enrolling more than 1,600 students each semester. Its programmes span engineering, business, health sciences and liberal arts, and its alumni have gone on to occupy key positions in NGOs, ministries and the private sector..

Over the past decade, the university has also pioneered a gender‑parity policy, ensuring that women make up at least 50 % of the student body and providing scholarships, safe transport and on‑campus housing to protect them from harassment and threats. The State Department’s letter, delivered to AUAF’s Board of Trustees on 28 September, cited “budgetary constraints” and a “strategic shift toward direct humanitarian assistance” as reasons for suspending the $18 million annual grant that has underpinned the university’s operations since 2015. While the Department affirmed its continued commitment to education in Afghanistan, it offered no concrete alternative funding mechanism for AUAF, leaving the institution to scramble for private donors, tuition increases and ad‑hoc grants from foreign embassies..

AUAF President Dr Ayesha Safi expressed “deep disappointment” at the decision, warning that the university’s closure would have a ripple effect across the nation’s fragile higher‑education ecosystem. “We are not just a campus,” she said in a televised interview, “we are a lifeline for hundreds of women who, for the first time in their families, are dreaming of becoming engineers, doctors and leaders. Removing the financial lifeline that has kept us afloat will send a chilling signal to an entire generation of Afghan girls.” Students, many of whom travel long distances from provinces such as Kandahar, Herat and Badakhshan, have taken to social media to voice their anxiety..

A petition launched by the AUAF Student Union has already amassed more than 12,000 signatures, calling on the U.S. government to restore funding and urging international universities to create scholarship bridges. “We chose to stay in Afghanistan because we believe education can change our country,” wrote one senior biology student, “now we fear that our dreams will be erased before we even finish our degree.” The funding cut arrives amid a broader contraction of international aid to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021..

While some NGOs have managed to renegotiate terms and continue operations, many have been forced to scale back, citing security concerns and restrictions on women’s mobility. The United Nations estimates that only 20 % of Afghan women of university‑age are currently enrolled in higher‑education programmes, a steep decline from the 45 % peak recorded in 2019. Experts say AUAF’s potential closure could exacerbate a brain drain that has already seen thousands of educated Afghans flee the country in recent years..

Dr Michael Rogers, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned that “the loss of a flagship institution like AUAF not only deprives Afghanistan of skilled professionals but also undermines the credibility of any future diplomatic engagement that promises to support civil society.” He added that the United States risks damaging its soft‑power legacy in a region where educational outreach has traditionally been a key diplomatic tool. In response, a coalition of European embassies in Kabul announced a joint statement pledging to explore “alternative financing streams” for AUAF, though no specific amounts were disclosed. The European Union’s humanitarian office has earmarked €5 million for emergency scholarships, but officials admit that such funds are a stop‑gap measure rather than a sustainable solution..

“We recognise the critical role AUAF plays for women and for Afghan society at large,” said an EU spokesperson, “but we need a coordinated, long‑term plan that does not rely on a single donor.” Private sector actors have also entered the fray. A consortium of Afghan diaspora entrepreneurs based in the United States and Canada launched a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise $3 million within six months. The initiative, called “Future Afghan Scholars,” hopes to fund scholarships, faculty salaries and campus security upgrades..

Early reports indicate that the campaign has attracted donations from tech firms and individual contributors, yet organizers caution that the scale of the university’s needs far exceeds what a grassroots effort can cover. Legal scholars note that the State Department’s decision may trigger contractual disputes. AUAF’s funding agreement, signed under the Foreign Assistance Act, includes clauses that obligate the United States to provide “reasonable notice” before any termination..

Lawyers for the university are reportedly reviewing the letter for compliance, and some have hinted at filing a claim for breach of contract..