StayIN – Education is here to stay!

An Interview with StayIN member Elham Esmat

Can you briefly describe what your main tasks are for and with StayIN at the moment?

I am currently primarily responsible for coordinating the project to establish a dual training program for industrial electricians in Afghanistan. The main work consists of managing and supporting the work of our Afghan partners in close coordination with the board of StayIN DE. This usually includes typical project management activities such as planning and budgeting work packages.

How much time do you think you spend on StayIN work per week?

At least two hours

Like all other StayIN members, you do this work voluntarily and of course unpaid. What motivates you?

Due to my Afghan roots, the fate of this country is very close to my heart. StayIN has given me an attractive opportunity to create sustainable added value. That motivates me.

What has surprised you positively about your StayIN work so far?

Networking with local Afghan decision-makers

And where do you see the biggest difficulties in your work for StayIN?

Since we are not on-site and cannot carry out the project ourselves, it is crucial that we communicate clearly and purposefully with our Afghan partners so that they feel empowered to successfully implement the planned work packages and to document the results in a comprehensible and transparent manner. This is the only way we can ensure that our work is useful and worthy of support to Afghan and foreign decision-makers.

How do you rate the collaboration with the Afghan StayIN colleagues – what is going well, and what could be better?

What is going well: their commitment and patience, especially when the project is a bit bumpy

Potential for improvement: They should communicate clearly and in a timely manner what they need and why

What exactly do you want to achieve in the StayIN work – by the end of 2024 and by the end of 2025?

A noticeable progress in the electric project, especially in the form of a buy-in from the Afghan stakeholders (authorities and companies).

Originally posted 2024-06-20 02:08:53.