Shaikh Zayed University opens in Afghanistan

Dubai: Some 3,000 Afghan students will be offered seats at the Shaikh Zayed University in Khost province, which officially opened on Saturday.

The university was built thanks to a generous grant by the late UAE President His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The world-class institution of higher learning was inaugurated by Hamdan Mussalam Al Mazroui, Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf. The inauguration was executed on the orders of the incumbent UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In remarks after the inauguration ceremony, Al Mazroui reiterated the UAE's commitment to help the Afghan people in health, education, reconstruction, and humanitarian spheres. He said the opening of the university underscored the commitment of Shaikh Khalifa to fulfil the vision of the late Shaikh Zayed.

Located in Khost province, 200km away from the capital Kabul, the Zayed University was built at the cost of $4.8 million. It will offer courses in medicine, engineering, agriculture, technology, Islamic studies, arts, literature and education.