Directorate of Communications and Public Awareness
Introduction
Access to information is considered one of the fundamental principles of every institution, as the performance of duties, decision-making, and the execution of other essential activities require obtaining necessary information. Access to information may be limited or open to individuals, groups, or systems, depending on institutional policies, levels of access, and the specific needs of the organization.
Kabul Polytechnic University is one of the most important academic institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education. At the national level of our dear country, Afghanistan, it provides valuable services in the field of engineering by training professional, competent, and academic cadres in accordance with Islamic values and the needs of society.
In addition to its academic staff, the university is composed of various units, among which the Directorate of Communications and Public Awareness is responsible for managing the university’s publication and media affairs. The significance of publications lies in disseminating all activities, achievements, specialties, experiences, research, developments, and innovations of the university to the public through all forms of mass media.
Background and Brief Information
The Directorate of Communications and Public Awareness operates within its framework through three main sections:
- Audio-Visual (Publications) Section
- Editing Management
- Printing (Press) Section
Audio-Visual Management
The Audio-Visual Management operates at the university level and is responsible for preparing, organizing, and publishing reports on meetings, seminars, and conferences in national and international languages. This management prepares reports related to meetings, conferences, achievements, developments, and other university programs, translates them into national and international languages, and, after approval by the university leadership, publishes them through social media platforms.
Additionally, prior to the commencement of any conference, workshop, seminar, or other program, this management prepares the venue, arranges the hall or meeting space, and organizes the required equipment.
Beyond its administrative responsibilities, this management plays a significant role in promoting religious, cultural, and social values. This includes installing large banners, writing and designing Islamic and ethical messages, and closely cooperating with leadership in implementing cultural programs. These activities are carried out regularly to create a positive intellectual and spiritual environment within the university.
The academic works of faculty members (authored and translated), administrative books, lecture notes, and other printed materials requiring publication are registered in a separate database and queue logbook and are subsequently sent to the printing press in an orderly manner by this management.
This management is also responsible for completing financial procedures (including board arrangements) and other administrative processes related to authored and translated faculty works and other printed materials that are published through the printing press.
Editing Management
The Editing Management is one of the key units of this directorate and performs the following activities:
- Photography
- Videography
- Editing and organizing videos and photographs
- Graphic design
- Preparation of audio reports
- Production of documentary videos
This management is responsible for presenting a positive image of the university, documenting scientific, cultural, and educational programs, and producing content for social media platforms.
All photos and videos are systematically archived, organized into separate folders based on date and category, and preserved for review and future needs.
Printing Section
The printing press of Kabul Polytechnic University operates under the umbrella of the Directorate of Communications and Public Awareness. The press primarily prints authored and translated textbooks by faculty members, academic journals, forms, faculty lecture notes, administrative books, and other printed materials submitted to the directorate for publication.
It also fulfills printing requirements related to seminars, conferences, examinations, and other scientific and cultural programs.
Major Activities and Achievements After the Establishment of the Islamic Emirate
Prior to the establishment of the Islamic Emirate, the activities of this directorate faced numerous challenges and delays. However, fortunately, following the victory, these gaps were effectively addressed, and significant progress was achieved in the audio-visual and printing sectors.
- Procurement and equipping of modern audio-visual equipment.
- Strengthening the printing press through the acquisition of standard printing equipment.
- Printing previously pending faculty works and delivering them to the university’s public library.
- Establishment of official social media accounts for publishing university activities.
- Creation of official groups and channels on WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and Twitter/X.
Note:
It is worth noting that prior to the victory, the Publications Directorate of Kabul Polytechnic University was active only through a single Facebook page and had no official presence on other social media platforms.
Future Plan of the Directorate of Communications and Public Awareness of Kabul Polytechnic University
Conclusion
The future plan of the Directorate of Communications and Public Awareness (Publications) has been developed to enhance the quality of publication services, establish sustainable revenue sources, strengthen technical capacities, and better introduce the scientific and academic activities, achievements, and developments of the university. The implementation of this plan will transform the directorate into a standard, modern, and effective organizational entity within the university and among the country’s academic institutions.