DOT-COMments: Building Capacity in Afghanistan's Ministry of Communications

Building Capacity in Afghanistan's Ministry of Communications

Through pilot project funds from the core dot-GOV grant, Internews is providing support to the Ministry of Communications, Afghanistan in two areas:

Support for external training of staff tasked with telecommunications (in collaboration with the USAID/State Department Telecom Leadership Program and USTTI), and
Advising the Minister of Communications on telecom policy.

Telecommunications Policy Workshop
In April 2002, two Afghans from the Ministry attended a regional workshop on Telecommunications Policy, held in Rabat, Morocco, with the assistance of Internews. Dr. George Sadowsky, Senior Technical Advisor, dot-GOV worked with the Afghans to develop follow-on activities after the workshop. A request for a longer-term advisor from the Minister of Communications was received soon after the workshop. Mr. Dale Hatfield, University of Colorado at Boulder, helped identify candidates for potential advisors.

Telecom Technical Assistance
Working closely with USAID/Kabul and Minister of Communications Stanekzai, dot-GOV sent an Afghan-American advisor, Mr. Bary Azmi, to Kabul in October and November 2002. Experienced in spectrum management and knowledgeable in new telecom technologies and policy issues, Mr. Azmi provided technical assistance to the Minister on longer-term needs such a draft Internet policy and on numerous proposals for ISP licenses, wireless, wire line, and microwave operations. Mr. Azmi also has helped the Ministry reevaluate a microwave link project, examined rehabilitation of a former ICT training Institute, and helped the Directors of the Ministry prioritize their needs.

DC-based Training and Study Tour in Spectrum Management
During the second week of November, Mr. Azmi is accompanying four Ministry staff to Washington DC area, where they will take a special FCC course in Spectrum Management. They will also participate in a study tour organized by the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute and funded under the USAID/State Department Telecom Leadership Program.

Internews expects to field a second advisor shortly to follow on Mr. Azmi's work and the needs expressed by the Minister. Mr. Azmi will continue to stay involved with this pilot project.

Internews is currently reviewing other proposals from its partners regarding various aspects of telecommunications reform. Internews was awarded the dot-GOV Leader Award No. GDG-A-00-01-00009-00 on 21 September, 2001.

For More Information, Contact:
Sarah Tisch, Ph.D.
Chief-of-Party, dot-GOV
Internews Network
Tel: 202 833-5740 x 203
Email:

Related Resource Partners

Internews Network (Internews)
United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI)
University of Colorado at Boulder

Related DOT-COM Activity
Afghanistan - Telecommunications Advisors to the Ministry of Communication, Afghanistan

Related DOT-COMments Newsletter Articles

ICT Policy and Sustainability: Experience from the dot-GOV Program From Issue 9, January 2005
Small Pilot Projects offer Governments Short-term Technical Assistance From Issue 1, Fall 2002


Core funding for the DOT-COM Alliance is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture & Trade, Office of Infrastructure and Engineering (EGAT/OI&E), Office of Education (EGAT/ED), and Office of Women in Development (EGAT/WID), under the terms of Award numbers: GDG-A-00-01-00009-00, dot-GOV; GDG-A-00-01-00014-00, dot-ORG; GDG-A-00-01-00011-00, dot-EDU.
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