Geology and Mines Faculty

About the Faculty of Geology and Mines

Kabul polytechnic University established the Faculty of Geology and Mines in 1979 and so far has a superior hand in training/educating national engineers, specialists, and professionals in the field of disquisition, exploration and mining extraction of the country, and has produced graduates at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels who have played a vital role to the construction and reconstruction of our beloved country, Afghanistan. The respected faculty lecturers (32 in total), driven by their commitment to the country, are wholeheartedly engaged in teaching, researching and enhancing students’ academic development.

Vision of the Faculty of Geology and Mines

The faculty of geology and mines is striving to develop a higher education system and scientific research that meets labor market demand and enables students to compete both at the national and regional levels.

Mission of the Faculty of Geology and Mines

The mission of the Faculty of Geology and Mines is to provide high-quality education to the youth of this country in the areas of teaching, research, leadership, practical professions, and project management for national and international initiatives, such as the TAPI pipeline projects related to natural resources and mines. The Faculty of Geology and Mines is an established and reputable academic institution in various fields of engineering and mining, aligning its academic and research activities with the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Higher Education. It endeavors to achieve its objectives using the available resources.

Educational Objectives of the Faculty of Geology and Mines

The educational objectives of the Faculty of Geology and Mines are as follows:

Providing qualitative teaching and research services
Enhancing and developing teaching methods
Establishing an Electrical study system and student-centered (OBE/SCL)
Updating and making the curriculum of the Faculty contemporary
Establishing teaching capacity building and capacity building for members of the Faculty.
Equipping the Faculty’s Laboratories with modern equipment and maintaining them operational
Enhancing scientific research in the Faculty on the national and international level
Digitizing the Faculty's administrative and managerial processes
Developing the Faculty’s and Department’s database
Establishing long-term academic partnerships with national and international universities and industries.
Recruiting, training and motivating laboratory assistants and technicians of the departments.
Well equipping the Faculty's Library
Promoting academic and professional development of the Faculty supports overall university advancement.

Research Objectives

Training engineer with advanced knowledge of the latest scientific and technological developments and being completely aware of their educational field, practically and theoretically.
Training youth for serving the society, holding high spirit in rights, national and considering a deep understanding of job responsibilities.
Conducting scientific research and enterprises to pave the way for building a modern Afghanistan and establishing research laboratories for achieving the above objectives.
Training academic and teaching staff for the country in the field of Geology and Mines.
Making the curriculum contemporary and standards-based on a regional and international academic standards continuum.
Authoring and translating reaching books and supplements
Expanding current master’s programs and establishing new ones
Completing departmental academic staff based on needs and the principles of academic appointments.
Finding a supportive funding organization for the better implementation of strategic plan of the faculty.

Technical and Professional Objectives

Establishing academic relationships with national and international institutions.
Addressing fundamental challenges of interior universities’ academic staff for recruitment and promotions.
Implementing self-assessment and teaching quality evaluation policies across the university.
Equipping classrooms of the departments with modern technology
Using technology and new teaching methods for improving the quality of teaching
Authoring and translating theoretical and practical teaching material with excellent quality
Publishing and translating theoretical and practical teaching materials with excellent quality
Increasing the production and publication of academic research by faculty academic staff.
Academic capacity building of other public and private institutions for better implementation of projects and executive plans.
Taking steps towards achieving financial and academic independence

Laboratories of the Faculty of Geology and Mines

The Faculty of Geology and Mines relies heavily on practical experience, which plays an indispensable role in engineering projects. Therefore, the faculty is equipped with modern laboratories containing up-to-date instruments procured from reputable international companies for use by the departments of the Faculty of Geology and Mines. These laboratories enable students to conduct practical experiments and research activities as needed, under the guidance of laboratory supervisors (laboratory engineers and technicians) and subject instructors.

For conducting experiments and practical activities, the necessary materials and instruments are used. In order to further develop and expand the process, the results of each practical experiment are recorded in a logbook. The laboratory maintains both a student registration book and an experiment registration book. All instruments required for conducting experiments are accompanied by appropriate guidelines available to students in both hard-copy and soft-copy formats. The laboratory room is fully equipped with facilities, including a whiteboard, projector, digital screens, and seating for students.

At present, the Faculty of Geology and Mines has specialized laboratories in the following areas:

Fully equipped laboratory for petrography, gemology, and mineralogy;
Fully equipped laboratory for geophysics;
Fully equipped laboratory for the extraction of useful mineral materials;
Fully equipped laboratory for rock and soil mechanics and hydrogeology;
Fully equipped laboratory for geology, drilling, and extraction of oil and gas.

About the Departments of the Faculty of Geology and Mines

The Faculty of Geology and Mines consists of four specialized departments:

Department of Geological Engineering and Mineral Exploration;
Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering;
Department of Underground Mining Engineering;
Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology.

The Faculty of Geology and Mines currently trains students in bachelor’s programs across the four aforementioned departments, and offers master’s programs in three fields: Petroleum Engineering, Geological Engineering and Mineral Exploration, and Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology. Additionally, the faculty has obtained approval for a PhD program titled Geoscience Engineering, which will officially commence in the near future.

Academic Programs of the Faculty of Geology and Mines

Department of Geological Engineering and Mineral Exploration

The Department of Geological Engineering and Mineral Exploration was established in 1967, on the first day of academic instruction at Kabul Polytechnic University under the name “Department of Geology, Survey, and Exploration of Solid Mineral Resources.” As the founding department, it has continued to function as a primary center for graduating geological and mining engineers. Historically, it is the first department at Kabul Polytechnic University to train geological engineers at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. The department has made significant contributions to national economic development through the discovery and calculation of various mineral reserves, and continues its efforts with the support of its experienced academic staff.

Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering

The Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering was established in 1967 with the founding of Kabul Polytechnic University, initially named “Geology, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil- and Gas-Bearing Fields,” within the Faculty of Geology and Mines, with the aim of promoting the country’s economic growth. Since then, it has continued as an academic center dedicated to the education and training of geological and mining engineers. In 2014, based on the proposal of the department’s academic council, approval from the faculty and university scientific councils, and authorization from the Ministry of Higher Education, the department was officially renamed the Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering.

This department trains skilled specialists in geological sciences, geological mapping, geophysics, drilling of oil and gas wells, calculation of oil and gas reserves, extraction of hydrocarbon-bearing fields, exploratory drilling of solid mineral resources, and drilling of potable water wells, and prepares them to serve society.

Department of Underground Mining Engineering

The Department of Extraction of Solid Mineral Resources was established in 1970 to train knowledgeable and skilled specialists in the fields of mining extraction and mineral processing, serving as a key component for advancing the country’s industrial sector.

In 2012, the Department of Open-Pit Mining Engineering was separated from this department, and the Department of Extraction of Solid Mineral Resources was renamed the Department of Underground Mining Engineering.

Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology

The courses Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology have been taught at Kabul Polytechnic University since its establishment, offered to students of various civil and construction-related disciplines under the titles "Hydrogeology" and "Engineering Geology," and to students of different departments within the Faculty of Geology and Mines.
Although the need for an independent department had been recognized for many years, its establishment was delayed due to limited facilities, unsuitable social conditions, and prolonged conflict. Since these subjects were previously taught under the Department of Geological Engineering and Mineral Exploration, the proposal to establish a separate Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology was formally approved during a departmental meeting on 14 January 2014 (14/10/1392 SH) (Protocol No. 79).

Based on Proposal No. 40 dated 2 July 2014 (11/4/1393 SH) from the University Directorate, the endorsement of the Directorate of Academic Affairs Coordination, and Proposal No. 638 dated 2 August 2014 (12/5/1393 SH) from the Directorate of Legislative and Institutional Development within the Academic Programs Development Office, the establishment of the department was officially authorized through Ministerial Decree No. 2173/2999 on 9 August 2014 (18/5/1393 SH) by the Ministry of Higher Education.

As a newly established department equipped with dedicated classrooms, laboratory facilities, and essential academic resources, it has undertaken significant activities aimed at capacity building. These include preparing research papers, textbooks, and teaching materials; organizing conferences, seminars, and scientific webinars; and conducting laboratory and field-based practical activities.
Looking ahead, the department plans to expand its academic work, including book development, translation, research, and other scholarly endeavors, by recruiting young professionals and enhancing their academic and technical qualifications.

The department currently has six academic staff members, with a continuing need to attract additional young faculty.

Tuition and Academic Fees

To ensure clarity and accessibility, the Faculty of Geology and Mines has structured its tuition and fee system in a transparent and student-friendly manner across all academic levels.

1. Bachelor’s Programs

In accordance with national policies and the regulations of the Ministry of Higher Education, all bachelor's programs are offered free of charge.
The Faculty of Geology and Mines remains committed to providing high-quality learning environments for undergraduate students without any tuition fees.

2. Master’s Programs

The faculty currently offers three master’s programs, with tuition set at AFN 25,000 per semester.
This fee provides students with access to instructional services, laboratory facilities, and all academic resources relevant to the master's degree program.

3. Doctoral Program

The tuition for the doctoral program is AFN 65,000 per semester, which includes access to research facilities, specialized laboratories, academic supervision, and other scholarly support services.

Administrative and Technical Staff

The Faculty of Geology and Mines has a well-structured administrative and technical system managed by experienced and dedicated personnel. These teams ensure the efficient progress of academic, laboratory, research, and operational activities.

Administrative Staff

Teaching Manager (Grade 4)
Executive Manager (Grade 5)
Library Manager (Grade 5): Responsible for managing library operations, overseeing book circulation services, and maintaining academic resources for students and faculty.
Museum Manager (Grade 5): Oversees the preservation and organization of geological samples and instructional materials, and supports students in practical and applied activities.
Inventory Custodian (Grade 7): Responsible for storing, distributing, and maintaining administrative equipment, and preparing related reports.

Technical and Laboratory Staff

To strengthen practical and applied learning, each of the four departments within the faculty is supported by:

Lab Assistant (Grade 4): Responsible for laboratory operations, sample preparation, recording test results, assisting faculty during practical sessions, and ensuring laboratory safety and organization.
Technician (Grade 5): Responsible for preparing equipment, maintaining technical tools, supporting laboratory activities, and assisting with students’ practical work.

Student Statistics

The Faculty of Geology and Mines currently hosts a significant number of students across various academic programs. Students are enrolled in four active departments, where they receive theoretical, practical, and applied instruction aligned with national and international academic standards.

To date, the faculty has produced approximately 4,502 graduates, including:

683 graduates at the master’s and doctoral levels
The remainder at the bachelor’s level

Current Enrollment:

659 bachelor’s students
107 master’s students

Detailed enrollment by department and class level for the Fall Semester, 2025, is presented in the table below.

Enrollment Statistics – Fall Semester 2025

Daily Students by Department and Class Level — Faculty of Geology and Mines

No	Department	1^st Year	2^nd Year	3^rd Year	4^th Year	5^th Year	Total
1	Geological Engineering & Mineral Exploration	36	31	41	37	29	174
2	Petroleum and Gas Engineering	38	33	38	36	21	166
3	Underground Mining Engineering	38	27	34	31	28	158
4	Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology	38	33	25	35	30	161
	Total	150	124	138	139	108	659

Geology and Mines Faculty

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