Kardan University organized the Annual Conference on Higher Education Development in Afghanistan (ACHEDA-2021), focusing on Kankor examination reforms on April 8, 2021, at the Kabul Serena Hotel with the participation of H.E. Prof. Dr. Abbas Basir, Minister of Higher Education, H.E. Dr. Hamidullah Farooqi, the Acting Minister for Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs, Dr. Abdul Karim Tutakhail, Deputy Director-General of Administrative Office of the President, Mr. Roeen Rahmani, Kardan University's Chancellor, Dr. Osman Babory, Kabul University's Chancellor, University's strategic partners, national and international researchers, alumni and students.

The conference aimed to bring together researchers, policymakers, universities, industry, and student representatives to critically examine and dialogue development priorities in the higher education sector, especially Kankor examination reforms. The ACHEDA 2021 also featured five research papers conducted by Kardan University's researchers on various aspects of Kankor examinations in Afghanistan. "Kankor reform is the starting point for our dialogue. It's a drop in the ocean, as the Afghan proverb suggests, but I hope it marks the beginning of a purposeful future for the higher education sector and, most importantly, for the future generations who depend on your vision and commitment to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan," said Mr. Roeen Rahmani, Kardan University's chancellor.

He added, "As we commit to a thriving and responsive higher education sector in Afghanistan, I am proud to announce today the official launch of Kardan University's Center for Higher Education Development dedicated to research and knowledge, innovation, and technical advisory. I am grateful to the Ministry of Higher Education leadership for signing with us a Memorandum of Understanding to advance these strategic objectives. The establishment of CHED is a testament to Kardan University's commitment to the sustainable and systemic transformation of the higher education sector."

During this conference, Kardan University also launched the Center for Higher Education Development (CHED), which aims to advance higher education developmental priorities in Afghanistan by harnessing Kardan University's resources. H.E. Prof. Dr. Abbas Basir appreciated Kardan University's initiative and the launch of the CHED at Kardan University. He said, "Kardan University has academic excellence in higher education in Afghanistan. This University is undertaking effective approaches and is always coming up with innovative ideas to the Ministry of Higher Education."

He added, "To offer quality and vibrant higher education, we have to focus on fundamental pillars such as increasing access, quality services, and generating knowledge because higher education contributes to the development of other sectors in a society."

Besides, H.E. Dr. Hamidullah Farooqi, Dr. Hamidullah Farooqi, the Acting Minister for Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs, also emphasized the role making mechanisms for public and private higher education development in Afghanistan and the critical importance of investments, and said, "We are hoping that this conference becomes the starting point of increasing and expanding research on higher education development in Afghanistan."

The conference was then followed by a panel discussion on the Higher Education Development through Kankor Examination Reforms, moderated by Dr. Ahmad Khalid Hatam, Kardan University's Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Mr. Roeen Rahmani, Kardan University's Chancellor, Dr. Osman Babory, Kabul University's Chancellor, Mr. Abdul Qadir Khamosh, the Director of National Examination Authority of Afghanistan, and Dr. Parveen Roy, Assistant Professor at Kardan University, were the panelists and discussed different challenges and opportunities of the higher education development in Afghanistan, and the possible cooperation mechanisms. At the end of the conference, national and international researchers presented their papers on Kankor examination reforms.

Kardan University is planning to conduct this conference annually to address higher education development priorities in Afghanistan. The higher education sector is constituted by a variety of stakeholders who manifest diverse needs and expectations. Kardan University, as the leading University in Afghanistan, has the credibility and the resource base to undertake such a conference annually.