As a young, undergraduate law and political science student, I have always been enthusiastic to put the extract of my studies in action, in my own words, and speech. But unfortunately in Afghanistan and maybe in other regions of the world, a widespread deep-seated cliché states that before getting a degree in knowledge, you cannot utter even a single word that is passed through the prism of your own thoughts. This cliché may have some merits too. We must know our position and limitations before discussing a theoretical issue.
But by learning, and spreading our opinions beyond the borders, we do not attempt to exceed our borders, we sincerely attempt to produce constructive analysis on the materials we have absorbed, within our borders, and then we change our analytical lenses inchmeal, according to each single cycle of the knowledge we complete. Because, we are all standing on a gradually rising level of study and research, the level at which we are permitted to render our reflections.
Starting the final term of my study at Herat University, Faculty of Law and Political Science, I decided to break the educational taboos and prove that an undergraduate student also can analyze a political, cultural, economic, or social phenomenon at his/her own level.
I saw Afghanistan Center at Kabul University’s (ACKU’s) call for papers for the Second Afghanistan Studies Conference on Facebook, and wrote my paper on Afghanistan’s independence centennial. This paper was titled “Independent Afghanistan in the Path of History: Rethinking Afghanistan’s Independence in the Post-1919 Context”, and analyzed two major streams in Afghanistan’s journey to retrieve of its independence: Pre-1919 Context, and Post-1919 Context. Along with the main discussions, some personal analysis and recommendations were also provided at the end of the paper. I submitted my work, and it was a great fortune that my paper was deemed appropriate to be presented at the Second Afghanistan Studies Conference.
After many days of vigorous efforts at preparing my paper, the day came to present it on a both national and international platform. Stepping at the passages of ACKU, I experienced my very first meeting with the most prestigious professors in my field. That time I whispered to myself: “Yes! This academic center (ACKU) is honestly seeking for the fresh ideas, and wishes to enable Afghan youth to mobilize the muffled words inside their minds.”
The event started, and the warm, friendly, and at the same time the highly academic atmosphere made me realize how lucky I was in attending such a comprehensive, interdisciplinary gathering. Listening to the novel ideas on Afghanistan’s politics, culture, people, and history, I did not notice how the time passed. Finally, the third panel was looking for me, Maryam Jami. A university student who had not yet earned a bachelor’s or equivalent degree, and was ready to present her research among lots of PhD holders and other eminent scholars from the high-ranking universities of the world.
I started my presentation, and looked at the scholars taking notes during my discussion. I realized two significant points at that moment:
I concluded my presentation, encountering an unbelievable admiration of the scholars for my work. They did not believe that I had not received a bachelor’s degree yet. Actually, not all of us know that how many other undergraduates are looking for opportunities to have a hand in Afghanistan’s educational and scholastic progress. As one of these students, I appreciate the ACKU for providing me the first path to my holy destination. Veritably, souvenirs from this academic center will always remain original and picturesque for me.
(Maryam Jami is a senior graduate student at the Faculty of Law and Political science, Herat University.)
