Introducing the Office of the Scientific Secretary of the Afghanistan science academy

The Office of the Academic Secretary of the Afghanistan Science Academy (ASA) has been a central part of the ASA's organizational structure since 1990. Currently, the office comprises six personnel, including academic, administrative, and service staff. The first Academic Secretary of the ASA was Dr. Abdul Sami Ghaffari, who also served as the ASA's first Vice Chancellor. His leadership established key structures that have continued to influence the operations of the office and the broader ASA.
As per Article 7, Clause 2 of the ASA Law, the terms Academic Secretary and Academic Vice Chancellor are used interchangeably. The Academic Vice Chancellor is appointed based on a proposal from the General Director of the ASA and with the approval of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (AIE), in accordance with current legislative frameworks.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Office of the Academic Secretary
The Office of the Academic Secretary (also known as the Academic Vice Chancellor) is responsible for a broad range of functions critical to the academic and research missions of the ASA. These include:
1.    Meetings of the Academic Council: The Academic Council convenes biweekly, with extraordinary meetings organized as needed, upon the recommendation of the Academic Secretary and the approval of the General Director of the ASA.
2.    Evaluation of Academic Promotions and Research Projects: The office assesses and reviews promotion documents and research projects submitted by ASA members, forwarding them for further consideration by the Academic Council.
3.    Management of Entrance Exams: The office manages the entire process of entrance exams for recruiting academic staff, ensuring a merit-based and transparent selection process.
4.    Participation in Academic Seminars: The office actively participates in meetings of the Academic Research Seminars Commission, collaborating with other academic and cultural institutions both within and outside of the ASA.
5.    Collaboration on Academic Wages: The office collaborates with the Department of Publications to assess and standardize wages and benefits, beyond regular monthly salaries, for the academic staff of the ASA. 
6.    Supervision of Academic Document Evaluations: The office oversees the evaluation of academic qualifications for candidates seeking membership in the ASA’s academic staff.
7.    Legislative Document Preparation: The office plays a key role in drafting and revising legislative documents relevant to the ASA’s functions, ensuring alignment with Afghanistan's current national laws and governance systems.
8.    Supervision of Dissertation Defenses: The office supervises the defense of academic research dissertations, ensuring that academic standards are rigorously maintained throughout the process.
9.    Evaluation of Academic Titles: The office is responsible for reviewing academic work submitted by candidates aiming for titles such as Academician and Academician Candidate, ensuring merit-based recognition.
10.    Implementation of Legislative Documents: The office monitors the enforcement of legislative documents, regulations, and internal procedures across the ASA to ensure compliance with prevailing governance.
11.    Promotion of Research Fields: The office promotes academic research by organizing short-term courses, including English language programs, and by fostering partnerships with both internal and external academic bodies.
12.    Drafting of Resolutions: The office drafts, organizes, and disseminates the resolutions and decisions made by the Academic Council and other related committees.
13.    Support for Encyclopedias: The office contributes to the writing, translation, and editorial work for articles in the Arianna Encyclopedia, a key academic publication of the ASA.
14.    Oversight of Research Projects: The office provides supervising and commendation or endorsement on research projects, ensuring their alignment with the ASA’s academic objectives and standards.
15.    Participation in Conferences and Seminars: The office engages in academic meetings, seminars, and conferences within Afghanistan and internationally, fostering scholarly cooperation and collaboration.
16.    Review of Legislative Documents: The office assists in reviewing laws, regulations, and procedures relevant to the ASA, ensuring that they reflect Afghanistan’s evolving governance structures and legal standards.
17.    Membership in Dissertation Defense Committees for Professorial Positions: The office oversees the defense of academic dissertations, particularly for those seeking promotion to the rank of Professor within the ASA.
18.    Recording and Documentation of Council Decisions: The office maintains detailed records of the Academic Council's decisions and resolutions concerning promotions, research projects, and other key academic matters.
19.    Maintenance of Council Protocols: The office ensures that all decisions of the Academic Council are properly documented in official protocol books for future reference and accountability.
20.    Registration of Academic Promotions: The office ensures that decisions regarding academic promotions and project approvals are correctly documented and archived.
21.    Membership in the Copyright Commission: The office holds a seat on the Copyright Commission of the Ministry of Information and Culture AIE, contributing to national discussions on intellectual property rights in accordance with Afghanistan’s Copyright Law.
22.    Legislative Committee Membership: The office serves on the Legislative Committee of the Ministry of Justice, playing a vital role in shaping the national legislative framework for science, research, and academia.
23.    Coordination with Other Governmental Departments: The office collaborates with other government bodies on legislative issues, organizing joint meetings and ensuring smooth communication and legislative processes.
24.    Organizing Joint Meetings: The office oversees the organization of joint meetings with relevant governmental departments, facilitating the exchange of correspondence regarding legislative documents related to the ASA.
25.    Academic Collaboration: The office actively fosters academic partnerships with institutions at both national and international levels, enhancing Afghanistan’s reputation in the global academic and scientific communities.
The Office of the Academic Secretary of the Afghanistan Science Academy remains a cornerstone of academic and research excellence in Afghanistan. It plays an essential role in promoting, supervising, and guiding the ASA’s research initiatives. Through its wide range of responsibilities, the office ensures the ASA’s alignment with national legislative frameworks, while maintaining high academic standards.