The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed to be completed within a duration of two to three years. Its curriculum is structured to support candidates in acquiring comprehensive knowledge and skills related to various functions and responsibilities of business administration. This program equips students with in-depth expertise in all aspects of the field and aims to respond to the growing demand for higher education in business administration in Afghanistan.

It fosters an environment where students can enhance their critical thinking and analytical abilities. Targeted at individuals who have completed at least a bachelor's degree, the program includes core areas such as finance, marketing, human resource management, Islamic banking, and more. Upon successful completion, graduates will have abundant career opportunities across all sectors of the economy.

The program places particular emphasis on research analysis and the practical application of skills essential for strategic business decision-making. It aims to cultivate creativity, innovation, and competence among students by providing a dynamic and culturally diverse educational environment, focusing on experiential learning and applied research. Through a diverse range of subjects, the program prepares students to excel in various professional fields, both in public and private sectors in Afghanistan.

Program Highlights

The specialized courses offered in this program enable students to focus on their areas of interest, gaining comprehensive knowledge in marketing, finance, human resource management, and Islamic banking. Each MBA course integrates practical business experience, case studies, and workshops, supervised by faculty members and delivered by experienced professionals and industry leaders. This approach ensures that graduates are well-equipped to navigate Afghanistan's complex, ever-evolving, and emerging business environment effectively.

The MBA program is officially named as follows in different languages:

1. Pashto: د سوداګریزې ادارې د ماسټرۍ پروګرام
2. Dari: ماستری ادارۀ تجارت
3. English: Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Curriculum Alignment

The program's curriculum is developed in accordance with the Ministry of Higher Education's guidelines for master's degree programs. To ensure alignment with international standards, the selected subjects and curriculum development processes have been benchmarked against the curricula of several esteemed international universities. Below are examples of institutions used as benchmarks for the MBA program:

This rigorous comparison ensures that the program is competitive and adheres to global educational standards.

Educational Objectives

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program aims to train competent professional managers in the fields of finance, human resources, marketing, and Islamic banking. Graduates will be equipped to lead effectively, achieve excellence in their professional roles, and contribute significantly to the improvement and prosperity of society.

In alignment with the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) framework, the educational objectives of the MBA program are outlined as follows:

1. Professional Skills

• Objective: Develop advanced professional knowledge and skills in finance, human resources, marketing, and Islamic banking.
• Measurement: Achievements will be assessed through practical exercises and evaluations.
• Timeline: To be accomplished within two years.

2. Leadership and Management

• Objective: Equip students with leadership qualities and management skills.
• Measurement: Success will be evaluated through team projects and practical activities.
• Timeline: To be completed within two years.

3. Strategic Thinking

• Objective: Enable students to create strategic business plans and respond effectively to market demands.
• Measurement: Evaluated through the application and practice of strategic planning in student projects.
• Timeline: Progress will be continuous throughout the program.

4. Innovation and Creativity

• Objective: Foster a spirit of creativity and innovation in students to provide solutions to business challenges.
• Measurement: Progress will be assessed through project evaluations and practical work.
• Timeline: To be achieved within two years.

5. Comprehensive Knowledge

• Objective: Attain extensive knowledge of economic and business affairs.
• Measurement: Evaluated through examinations and research projects.
• Timeline: To be maintained and enhanced over two years.

6. Ethical and Professional Standards

• Objective: Instill high ethical standards in business practices.
• Measurement: Assessed through examinations and continuous evaluation during the program.
• Timeline: Ongoing throughout the program duration.

7. Employability

• Objective: Prepare students for administrative and business roles with adequate competencies.
• Measurement: Assessed through job placements and post-graduation surveys.
• Timeline: To be evaluated at the end of the program and beyond.

8. Sustainability and Continuous Growth

• Objective: Impart knowledge of contemporary business practices aimed at sustainability and continuous development.
• Measurement: Assessed through exercises and examinations.
• Timeline: Skills will develop progressively throughout the program.

9. Effective Communication

• Objective: Develop effective communication skills for building strong relationships in the business sector.
• Measurement: Evaluated through team activities and practical assignments.
• Timeline: Continuous development during the program.

These objectives collectively prepare graduates to excel in various business sectors and contribute to sustainable economic development while maintaining high ethical and professional standards.

Physical Resources

Buildings

Salam University operates two state-of-the-art buildings designed in accordance with international university standards. These facilities provide all necessary resources for academic and research activities, including advanced classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and modern scientific equipment, supporting all faculties, including the Faculty of Economics. The university's buildings are located in a strategic area, ensuring easy and quick accessibility for students.

Classrooms

The Faculty of Economics meets all modern classroom requirements and currently offers the following facilities:

• Lecture Halls: Large rooms designed for lecture-style teaching and training.
• Conference Rooms: Medium-sized rooms adaptable to different settings, such as lecture-style, round-table discussions, or remote conferences.
• Seminar Rooms: Smaller rooms designed for sessions with fewer participants.
• Audio/Visual Rooms: Classrooms equipped for audio/visual and internet-based instruction.
• Computer Training Rooms: Fully equipped rooms with computer workstations and internet access for each student.

Laboratories

Salam University provides three types of laboratories:

1.     Open Access Laboratories

• Three laboratories are available on campus, each equipped with digital projectors. These are primarily used for teaching and can be outfitted with specialized software upon instructors' requests. These laboratories are accessible to students for 12 hours a day, six days a week.

2.     Library-Based Computers

• Computers located in the library and learning center are available for general academic and research purposes. These do not include specialized software found in the dedicated laboratories.

3.     Departmental Laboratories

• These labs are managed by the IT department and are typically configured with specialized software. They are often used for teaching or by students enrolled in specific courses.

Library

The Faculty of Economics is supported by a multi-functional library catering to the needs of faculties, researchers, students, and staff. The library features a rich and diverse collection of over 7,000 books, including textbooks, professional references, and general reading materials. The library regularly updates its collection with the latest editions of leading textbooks and reference materials.

Additionally, Salam University operates a digital library offering access to over 4,000 journals and 10,000 e-books. The Faculty of Business Administration also has a dedicated bookstore that provides textbooks, learning materials, and stationery for students and staff.

Vision

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program aspires to be a high-quality initiative in administrative and economic sciences in Afghanistan, producing specialists who can serve as impactful professionals at the national, regional, and global levels.

Mission

To nurture competent professionals in administrative and economic sciences who can meet market demands in the business sector and contribute significantly to the economic growth of the country.

Introduction

The Department of Business Administration under the Faculty of Economics is introducing a two-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The curriculum is meticulously designed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of all functional areas of business. Importantly, professional domains are integrated throughout the curriculum to provide a holistic view of business operations.

This program includes "core" subjects and "elective" courses, enabling participants to pursue their personal or professional interests. Students can specialize in one of four areas through elective courses: Finance, Management, Marketing, or Islamic Banking and Finance.

A: Program Duration

The MBA program spans a minimum of two years, comprising four semesters:

• First Semester: Includes four general and core subjects.
• Second and Third Semesters: Together consist of seven mandatory specialization courses and one elective course in the third semester.
• Fourth Semester: Comprises one elective course and a thesis.

B: Categories of Courses

The MBA program includes a total of 45 credits, categorized as follows:

1.     Core Subjects:
Designed to provide foundational knowledge, these subjects account for 9 credits and are covered in the first semester.

2.     Compulsory Professional Courses:
These courses provide specialized knowledge and practical expertise in key business areas, totaling 24 credits across the second and third semesters.

3.     Elective Courses:
Offering flexibility and specialization, the program includes 5 elective credits. Students can choose electives from the following focus areas:

• Finance
• Management
• Marketing
• Islamic Banking and Finance

1. Core Subjects Table

2. Compulsory Subjects Table

3. Elective Subjects Table

4. Thesis Subject Table

5: Deficient Subjects

6. General Program Structure Table

C: Subject Code Identification

In the MBA program of Business Administration, the subject code is a combination of four parts, which specify the level of education, program name, semester, and subject code. For example, the code MA.BA.0102 is explained as follows:

• MA: These two letters represent the level of education (Master's).
• BA: These two letters represent the program (Business Administration).
• 01: These two digits represent the semester (First Semester).
• 02: These two digits represent the subject code.

D: Teaching and Learning Methodology/Approach

In the teaching methodology, the instructor is required to consider the following aspects based on the nature of the course:

• Lecture: Three credits per week.
• Teaching Resources: Chalkboard, presentations, and textbooks.
• Student Learning Activities: Assignments/Homework.
• Teaching Techniques: Group discussions.
• Assessments:
• Quiz
• Presentations
• Exercises

To ensure effective teaching, the program will utilize modern teaching methods, including:

1. Instructor-Centered Approach
2. Student-Centered and Outcome-Based Approach (SCL & OBE)
3. Technology-Focused Approach

E: Student Assessment

Students will be evaluated based on the following principles:

1. At the beginning of the semester, the evaluation criteria and principles will be shared with students, so they understand the guidelines and specifications that will determine their grading.
2. A student must achieve at least 60% in each subject and at least 65% overall in all subjects.

The assessment principles are as follows:

• If a student fails a subject, they will need to repeat the course. The maximum time allowed to retake the exam is six semesters.
• If a student does not achieve at least 65% in all subjects, they will be placed under academic supervision.
• If a student fails to meet the minimum requirements for two consecutive semesters, they will be expelled from the program.
• If a student does not achieve 65% in the first three semesters, they will not be allowed to work on their thesis. In such cases, the Master's program committee and the thesis supervisor will review the student's record and may require the student to improve their grades through additional activities, exams, and the thesis.

F: Grading System

The grading system for students is as follows: