Dear Friends,
We are honored to introduce AUAF’s Interim President, Dr. David Edwards. At this pivotal moment, he offers not only steady leadership, but a deep and longstanding connection to Afghanistan, education, and AUAF. He is someone we trust to guide the university forward with purpose and integrity. Please read his message below.
Message from Interim President David Edwards
I’m writing today to introduce myself as the Interim President of the American University of Afghanistan. I have been on the Board of Trustees since 2017, but my association with the university goes back to 2013 when I first visited the campus. My connection to Afghanistan and to Afghan education goes back far further than that, as my first job after graduating from university was teaching English to Afghan students in Kabul. That was back in the times of peace before the Soviet invasion, and the experiences I had in those early years formed within me not only the value I place on education, but also the deep affection and respect I feel for Afghanistan and the Afghan people. Teaching in Afghanistan was followed by graduate school in anthropology and a PhD dissertation centered on research I conducted among Afghan refugees while based in Peshawar, Pakistan. Over the years since those experiences of the 1980s, I’ve written three books, all dealing with Afghan history and society, along with two films that also focus on Afghanistan, which has been the throughline of my professional career.
Though the adjective “Interim” is attached to my title, I don’t intend to serve as a caretaker president. There is important work to be done, and it needs to get started right away. Time and again, AUAF has faced daunting challenges, and it has survived terrible tragedies as well. Each time the university has faced those moments of crisis, it has gotten back on its feet, and come out stronger and more resilient than before. When we adopted the motto “Education will prevail” after the terrorist attack on the campus in 2016, we took that message to heart. It’s a message that guides us today and that will stay with us as a beacon going forward.
Over the next few weeks, I will be reaching out to the various constituencies that collectively make up the AUAF community. I want to hear from you both what you think we’re doing right, but also what you think can be improved. I have plenty of ideas of my own for ways to innovate and improve on what we do, but I want to hear from you as well. For education to prevail at AUAF, we all have to do our part, and I will also be asking you to play a role in helping to guide the university forward.
David B. Edwards
Interim President
American University of Afghanistan
Explore Dr. Edwards’ Work
Dr. David B. Edwards has dedicated his career to understanding and sharing the stories of Afghanistan. We invite you to explore some of his work:
Kabul Transit: A film Dr. Edwards produced and co-directed, offering a unique look at life in Kabul. Stream the film here.
Another Summer: Afghan and Ukrainian Stories of Exile Another film he produced and co-directed. Learn more and visit the film’s website.
Caravan of Martyrs: Sacrifice and Suicide Bombing in Afghanistan. His most recent book, recognized with a prestigious award for its contribution to understanding Afghan society.