October 20, 2011, Calgary, Alberta – In Kandahar, Afghanistan, where Taliban insurgents pose a violent threat to men and women trying to rise above the city’s oppressive history, students gather at the Afghan-Canadian Community Center for online courses taught from offices and desks right here in Canada — actually, right here from SAIT.   

Currently, 40 students, most of them women, are enrolled the Business Management certificate program offered by SAIT through the Afghan School Project (ASP). SAIT’s program allows students in Kandahar to secure high-paying employment, often after completing only one of the program’s six online courses.

Janet Sainsbury, Coordinator of Distance Education in the School of Business, has taught ASP courses in the past and is currently teaching the online leadership course to Afghani students.

“These people live in a community where education for women is not only unsupported, but where women are persecuted for choosing to get an education,” says Sainsbury.

“Here we are handed an education. There, it requires courage and tenacity to pursue learning.”

Leon Cygman, instructor with SAIT teaches project management to Afghani students, and agrees the attitudes of students in Kandahar are much different than those of North American students.    

“In Canada, you get the excuse, ‘the dog ate my homework,’ or ‘I missed the bus,’ ” says Cygman. “When an Afghani student is late with an assignment, they have an excuse like ‘my house was blown up,’ or ‘my uncle was just shot.’ In spite of all the adversity they go through, they are really good, dedicated students.”

The cultural divide between Canadian ASP instructors and Afghani students is significant, and Sainsbury has had to adapt the program to their culture.

“Leadership is very conceptual and very personal” she says. “For instance, they wouldn’t consider a woman running a household as a leadership role. They see politicians as leaders, and we don’t discuss politics, so it’s difficult for them to draw from personal experience.”

Cygman has also made adjustments to bridge the cultural gap.

“The course materials included a reference to the Wizard of Oz that any North American would be familiar with, but of course in Kandahar, they wouldn’t be,” says Cygman. “As we go I make any changes that make the materials easier to understand.” 

In spite of every effort made by ASP instructors to deliver effective and relevant lessons, an education is difficult to get in Kandahar, particularly for women. Thestar.com recently published the story of Roya Shams, a student attending the Afghan-Canadian Community Centre in Kandahar whose academic aspirations have made her and her family a target for the Taliban. Read her story.  

Since SAIT first offered its Business Management program through the Afghan School Project in 2007, 16 students have graduated with their certificates and 84 have completed one or more courses.

SAIT Polytechnic is one of Canada’s most exciting destinations for post-secondary education, offering more than 100 career programs that position people for success in technology, trades and business. A leader in innovation, SAIT also collaborates with industry on applied research and delivers corporate training worldwide. SAIT is a member of Polytechnics Canada and one of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers for 2011.

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