Introduction

Access to laboratory facilities is considered one of the fundamental principles in any educational and research institution, as it provides the opportunity to utilize equipment, tools, and necessary resources for conducting experiments, practical activities, scientific research, and other technical tasks. The level of access to laboratories may vary for students, professors, or research groups and is typically regulated based on skill level, scientific needs, safety policies, and the university's internal regulations. Proper management of laboratory access, in addition to enhancing the quality of education and research, contributes to maintaining safety, ensuring effective use of equipment, and promoting discipline in scientific activities.

Kabul Polytechnic University, as one of the country's reputable scientific institutions, plays a significant role in training specialized and committed professionals in accordance with societal needs. In addition to its experienced academic staff, the university has various administrative and technical units, each operating based on a specific mission.

Among these units, Head of Laboratories hold a special position. Laboratories, as the practical component of education and research, play a fundamental role in understanding technical concepts, testing theories, and enhancing students' practical skills, while creating opportunities for innovation and the application of knowledge.

The Head Laboratories is responsible for managing, coordinating, and supervising all laboratory activities, including equipment and materials management, adherence to safety principles, developing standard procedures, and ensuring the quality of experiments. This directorate strives to standardize laboratories, provide appropriate educational and research conditions, and improve management systems.

Through close cooperation with departments and faculties, this section plays an important role in elevating the scientific quality of Kabul Polytechnic University and implementing laboratory activities in line with national and international standards.

The Head Laboratories commenced its operations in the middle of the solar year 1403 under The Deputy of Research and Scientific Journal. From the very beginning, it achieved significant accomplishments, including facilitating the procurement of laboratory equipment, selecting professional personnel to replace non-professionals in laboratories, organizing educational trainings for laboratory assistants and technicians, and activating laboratory equipment.

The Head of Laboratories operates through two administrative and technical units: the Technical Laboratory Technicians and the GIZ Technicians.

Vision

To establish a modern, scientific, and standardized laboratory environment that enhances the quality of education, research, and technical services at the university. This environment will enable students, faculty members, and researchers to achieve the highest levels of practical and scientific competence through the use of advanced equipment and standardized procedures.

Mission

• Provide scientific and technical support for the university’s research, educational, and service activities
• Ensure the availability of equipment and a safe, standardized environment for conducting experiments
• Develop students’ practical skills and strengthen the professional capacity of laboratory technicians
• Maintain, calibrate, and effectively manage laboratory equipment and instruments
• Establish systematic procedures for recording, analyzing, and preserving experimental results
• Foster effective collaboration with all faculties and departments to enhance the scientific and practical quality of activities

Objectives

• Ensure a standardized and secure environment for conducting experiments
• Support the research activities of faculty members and researchers
• Strengthen students’ practical skills across various disciplines
• Manage and safeguard laboratory equipment, instruments, and resources
• Elevate the standards of technical services at the university

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure the provision and operational maintenance of laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Supervise the repair, preservation, and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Conduct periodic inspections and calibration of laboratory instruments.
• Provide technical consultation and support to students, faculty, and researchers in the use of laboratory equipment.
• Oversee the proper execution of experiments and scientific projects.
• Participate actively in university research and scientific projects.
• Propose technical solutions and improvements to enhance the quality of experiments.
• Manage laboratory budgets and financial resources, prepare financial reports, and forecast future expenditures.
• Establish and maintain relations and coordination with governmental agencies and national and international institutions in the water resources and environmental sectors, to contribute to research and projects in line with submitted proposals.

• Prepare and organize monthly, quarterly, and annual work plans in alignment with The Deputy of Research and scientific journals plan to achieve defined objectives.
• Transfer professional skills to subordinate staff through workshops, seminars, and on-the-job training.
• Manage performance evaluations, identify training needs, and enhance the capacity of staff and related units.
• Provide monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports on activities and achievements to The Deputy of Research and scientific journals.

Activities and Achievements

• Replacement of non-professional individuals with professional personnel in specialized positions
• Procurement, installation, calibration, and systematic maintenance of key equipment
• Establishment and upgrading of specialized laboratories across various disciplines
• Capacity building of laboratory staff through workshops
• Development of a systematic framework for recording and analyzing experimental results
• Support for dozens of research projects and theses
• Creation of a database of experimental activities and guidelines for equipment usage

Organizational Chart and Administrative Structure

The Head Laboratories operates under the framework of The Deputy of Research and scientific journals and consists of the following administrative units:

1. Head of Laboratories
2. Laboratories Technician
3. IZ Technical Staff

Head of Laboratories

The Head of Laboratories is a key figure in the management and enhancement of the quality of scientific and research activities at the university. He is responsible for ensuring the provision and operational maintenance of laboratory equipment and instruments, supervising their repair, preservation, and care, and conducting periodic inspections and calibration of equipment’s. Furthermore, the Head of Laboratories provides technical consultation and support to students, faculty members, and researchers, enabling the effective use of equipment and overseeing the proper execution of experiments and scientific projects.

 

In addition to technical duties, the Head of Laboratories plays an active role in university research, proposes technical solutions to improve the quality of experiments, and manages the budget and financial resources related to laboratories. He prepares financial reports and forecasts future expenditures, while also establishing and maintaining necessary relations and coordination with governmental agencies and national and international institutions to contribute to projects in all fields of engineering.

From a managerial perspective, the Head of Laboratories prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual work plans in alignment with The Deputy of Research and scientific journals plan, transfers professional skills to staff through workshops, seminars, and on-the-job training, manages performance evaluations and capacity-building initiatives, and submits regular reports on activities and achievements to The Deputy of Research and scientific journals.

Laboratory Engineers and Technicians

The Department of Laboratories of Kabul Polytechnic University is one of the essential and fundamental units of the institution. Within the framework of academic and research activities, it is responsible for the provision, management, organization, and supervision of all laboratory affairs. This directorate consists of various technical and specialized units, each systematically serving students, faculty members, and researchers. Laboratory technicians, as the central pillar of practical activities, play a vital role in implementing standards, conducting experiments, and maintaining order and safety within the laboratory environment.

The Laboratory Engineer, in accordance with standard protocols, conducts scientific experiments and tests across different engineering departments. During operations, all stages of experimentation—from sample preparation to practical execution—are carried out with precision, accompanied by necessary supervision to ensure accurate results.

The outcomes of all practical experiments are thoroughly analyzed, systematically recorded in relevant offices and systems, and regular reports are submitted to the Head of Laboratories. This systematic documentation enhances accessibility to laboratory information and facilitates scientific, research, and managerial decision-making. These reports are prepared quarterly and archived accordingly.

Defective or damaged equipment is promptly identified by the Laboratory Engineer and referred to relevant teams for repair. This process plays a crucial role in minimizing downtime and ensuring laboratory safety.

To improve scientific and practical processes, close collaboration with engineering committees is established. Laboratory requirements are collected, technical plans and proposals are developed, and active cooperation is undertaken to upgrade standardized procedures and necessary equipment. This collaboration fosters the development and further standardization of laboratory activities at the university.

The Laboratory Technicians of Kabul Polytechnic University play a significant role in strengthening practical education, improving scientific quality, providing suitable conditions for research, and submitting reports to The Department Laboratories, The Research Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and the scientific journal. Strict adherence to protocols, execution of laboratory experiments, preparation of accurate reports, cooperation with engineering committees, and compliance with safety principles all reflect the organized, professional, and standards-based activities of this unit.

This unit continuously strives to ensure that the university’s laboratories operate in accordance with contemporary needs, equipped with standardized instruments and effective management systems, thereby creating greater opportunities for academic and practical advancement for students and faculty members in collaboration with laboratory officials.

GIZ Technicians Unit

The GIZ Technicians Unit is one of the key divisions of the Department of Laboratories, playing a prominent role in strengthening practical activities, enhancing operational capacity, and standardizing engineering laboratories. By utilizing technical expertise and standardized equipment, this unit undertakes a wide range of responsibilities in supporting the university’s academic and practical programs.

As a core unit of The Department of Laboratories, the GIZ Technicians Unit is entrusted with executing a broad spectrum of technical activities within the GIZ-supported laboratories. Through close collaboration with faculty members, students, and academic management, the unit reinforces practical, experimental, and laboratory-based learning, while contributing significantly to the standardization of all laboratory processes.

The unit actively participates in conducting specialized engineering tests, preparing samples, operating equipment, and providing technical supervision throughout experimental procedures. GIZ technicians, by adhering to standard protocols, play a crucial role in ensuring the accurate execution of experiments across various engineering departments.

The GIZ Unit is directly involved in the installation, adjustment, and commissioning of advanced devices supplied either by international projects or the university itself, ensuring that equipment functions in accordance with standard principles and laboratory environmental conditions.

All documents, manuals, experimental results, specialized procedures, and equipment-related files are systematically archived within this unit. Such precise documentation facilitates easy access and rapid review of technical information at any time, thereby enabling more effective management of laboratory activities.

The unit is responsible for the regular maintenance of laboratory devices and instruments, identifying potential issues, and implementing necessary corrective measures. Continuous maintenance ensures that practical activities proceed without interruption and remain aligned with academic requirements.

Through close cooperation with The Department of Laboratories and engineering committees, the GIZ Technicians Unit plays an active role in process standardization, implementation of operational plans, and enhancement of laboratory quality standards.