Twitter
Advertisement

DNA Exclusive: Afghan, India ties find new meaning at TISS

A first batch of 12 Afghan professionals arrived at TISS, (most on their first-ever visit of India) a week ago.

Latest News
article-main
The first batch of 12 Afghan professionals arrived at TISS a week ago
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Ties between Afghanistan and India have historically stood the test of time. Now, these ties have found yet another beautiful academic knot in Mumbai at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), which has tied up with both Kabul University (KU) and Herat University (HU). As a part of this tie-up facilitated by Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, City University of New York to help the departments of psychology and counselling of both Afghan varsities.

A first batch of 12 Afghan professionals arrived at TISS, (most on their first-ever visit of India) a week ago. Explaining the purpose of this interactive exchange Dr Aparna Joshi who heads TISS' Centre For Human Ecology which is hosting the participants told DNA: "We want them to not only get exposed how counselling programmes are taught here but also get exposed to the pedagogical practices at TISS. Professional counselling is still evolving in India and there can be many takeaways for both sides, given how mental and psycho-social health is stigmatised in both countries and the first recourse is still going to traditional healers."

Echoing her head of the counselling department at Herat University, Basir Ahmed Karimi, said: "We've seen many decades of war and destruction in our country. Now awareness about psycho-social heath is on the rise and with it the demand for services like counselling. We hope we'll be able to learn from experiences at India's mother institute of social work."

Among the six women in this batch is Spozmay Oriya, an Assistant Professor at KU's Department of Psychology. She said she sees a lot of scope for counselling intervention with Afghan women. "I see how it has helped heal, empower and build capacities for women to assert themselves in India and it fills me with promise. Women in back home are still made to feel second class and often subject to violence by a patriarchal society. I see many lessons for Afghan women from Indian women who are challenging mindsets without borrowing the Western template, by creating one of their own."

Psychology faculty at KU, Zekrullah Faiq was all praise for India's support for his country. "Other countries have come to Afghanistan for war and brought arms and soldiers with them but India has given us roads, dams, schools, hospitals, our Parliament building and so on. This exchange programme is another step in that direction. No surprise then that India enjoys more love and support than our other neighbours in the region."

Explaining why Mumbai based university was chosen, Dr Martha Bragin Associate Professor at the school of social work said: "The global reputation of TISS in the area of social work, psychology and counselling is unparalleled in the world and it was best suited for this kind of interaction.

Dr Madhushree Sekher who heads the International Relations Office confirmed TISS will soon be established formal academic partnership with Herat University and Mirwais Neeka Institute of Higher Education, Afghanistan.

From August 1st a second team of Afghans will be hosted by TISS' Centre for Women's Studies under the aegis of the UNDP for an exchange of ideas to develop a women's studies programme at Kabul university.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement