OVERVIEW

To develop Afghanistan’s higher education sector, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) established the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in 2006 in Kabul. To encourage increased female attendance at AUAF, USAID constructed a new dormitory through its Promote Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment program.

The dormitory houses 200 female students at AUAF, giving priority placement to women from outside of Kabul. The dormitory complies with the International Building Code, and it includes study areas, lounge areas, and an administration room.

ACTIVITIES

• Finalized architectural and engineering designs
• All construction work completed on November 19, 2017
• Interiors fully finished, including the electrical system, communication, plumbing, the fire alarm and sprinklers, and the heating and ventilation systems
• The warranty period for the building was completed on November 19, 2018. With the warranty, the contractor guarantees that no defects or deficiencies will develop in its construction work.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Created a safe and secure living and learning environment for Afghan women to pursue a university education
• USAID used the dormitory construction project to provide on-the-job internships for new graduate student female engineers.