Doha: Afghan students studying in Qatar under U.S.-funded scholarships have expressed fear and uncertainty following reports that financial support from the United States may soon come to an end. These scholarships were provided after the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in Kabul shut down following the Taliban’s return to power.
Approximately 200 Afghan students were relocated to partner American-style universities in countries including Qatar, Iraq, Central Asia, and Oman, with around 70 currently studying in Qatar. Most of these students are young women who fear being forced to return to Afghanistan, where restrictions on women's education and public life have intensified.
Earlier this month, U.S. media reported that the scholarships—previously funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—would be terminated, following directives initiated during Donald Trump’s presidency to wind down the agency. On April 5, students were reportedly informed that the U.S. financial support was ending soon.
However, according to BBC, an unnamed AUAF official denied the report, saying that funding sources had been secured and students in Qatar would not be forced to leave. “Classes are continuing normally,” said one student, using the pseudonym Zuhal, who is currently in her seventh semester studying Computer Science.
Despite reassurances, many students remain concerned. Several are seeking work opportunities or alternative scholarships to continue their studies in other countries, avoiding a return to Afghanistan. One student, Maryam (not her real name), who is studying online from Afghanistan, said she has not received any official notification about the scholarship ending, but remains worried about the credibility of her degree compared to those attending in person.
In Oman, a similar situation prevails with nearly 80 Afghan students also facing uncertain futures. On March 19, a U.S. State Department official told the BBC that financial support had been extended until the end of June. Students hope the funding will be renewed beyond that date.
"I was happy to come to Qatar and get an opportunity to study," said Zuhal. "But now we're in a confusing situation with an uncertain future. If we return to Afghanistan, we’ll be stuck at home like many other women. That’s not what we worked so hard for."
Another AUAF official, who declined to be named, confirmed that the current semester will continue through June without disruption. Meanwhile, the Qatari government has reportedly covered one semester’s tuition for the students after the U.S. announced its withdrawal of financial support.
According to a source close to the students, many classes have recently shifted online, and some students were told to return to Afghanistan to attend remotely. However, students say online learning does not carry the same value or recognition.
The Women’s Scholarship Endowment (WSE), which supports many of these students, was part of nearly 6,000 educational programs funded by USAID. In 2018, USAID awarded $50 million to the University of Texas system to support Afghan girls’ education. A program official told NPR that the $50 million principal remains intact and only the investment returns are being used to fund the scholarships and operational costs.
They emphasized that the continuation of the program would not require additional U.S. taxpayer funding, only an extension of access to the fund’s investment income through 2030.
The American University of Afghanistan was established in 2006 by Dr. Sharif Fayez, a former Afghan minister of higher education, based on the model of the American University of Beirut. The university offered undergraduate, graduate, language, and skills training programs before it became a target of Taliban attacks, including a deadly assault in 2016 that killed 16 and injured over 200 people.
The fate of 208 Afghan students remains in question, with students and supporters calling for renewed and extended financial backing to allow them to continue their education and avoid an uncertain and restrictive future back home.
[BBC]
