The strategic planning process intends to provide Rana University with a forward-looking, inspirational
road map for the institution’s future beyond the immediate scenarios.
The opportunities---to provide greater access to information and to enable contributions from all the
members of the Rana communities- are consistent with Rana's student centered philosophy. Seizing these
opportunities would be consistent with Rana's history of embracing change and may allow it to strengthen its
brand and gain an advantage in the competition for the best faculty and students. Greater openness can
improve the processes of teaching and learning and would certainly facilitate a greater national
contribution by Rana University. There is a role for first movers, just as there is a role for fast
followers and even cautious adopters and fence seaters. But there is no reason to ignore very serious
trends, particularly by an institution that in the past has benefited from being hospitable to change. There
is no reason to believe that fundamental and destabilizing changes will not occur, whatever Rana University
chooses to do or not to do.
The early stages of the Strategic Planning process identified a number of core values associated both with
the mission and development of the University that must be preserved as the institution develops and grows.
These include: a strong focus on the creation of a broadly educated person;
Overall, the specific objectives and actions of the plan suggest the need to move on a number of fronts to
keep abreast of the competition and enhance academic excellence. The highest overall priority proposed for
the coming five years is to enhance faculty excellence and infra-structure facilities.
The strategic planning process began with an evaluation of the current realities facing the institution.
Rana University reviewed trends, forecasts, and key assumptions relevant to institutional planning,
including a scan of the environment—both internal and external to the University—admission trends, changes
in our student profile over the past five years, socioeconomic, political, and technology trends and
assumptions, and an assessment of the Rana’s competitive position. Once the framework for decision-making
was completed, teams of administration, faculty, staff, and students narrowed the focus to strategic issues
and then worked together to develop goals and related strategies.
Rana University is committed to pursue the strategic plan in its real letter and spirit and will give
strategic plan goals first priority during the annual budget process not only in the current year but in the
years to come. Performance metrics are assigned to each strategic plan goal and will be used to track and
assess implementation progress. As new trends, data, and key assumptions will emerge, change, or become
obsolete over the years, the plan will evolve in response and appropriate adjustments to our plan will be
made.
Afghanistan is undergoing tremendous political, economic and social transformation as the country reduces dependence on foreign aid. Increased political uncertainty and growing security incidents combined with unpredictable government policies as well as an extremely competitive environment collectively have significant impact on the way private universities operate in Afghanistan. There is an urgent need to analyze the severity of the current environment and develop proactive, comprehensive and strategic actions that will mitigate the negative and undesirable consequences. Specifically, it is anticipated that the private higher education sector will be negatively affected by a myriad of factors including:
As such, it is highly imperative for Rana University to determine its strategic priorities and future
direction having carefully assessed the external environment. Without a sustainable and integrated approach
towards the emerging political and economic environments, Rana University's reputation and effective might
be negatively affected. Rana University has a unique opportunity to strengthen its brand, introduce
innovative programs and adapt its approach, ensuring an informed and calculated response to the transition
phase. Through collective and coherent actions, it is anticipated that Rana University will make significant
inroads towards academic excellence in the years ahead.
The following strategic goals have been determined after extensive and intensive discussions with the
stakeholders:
Rationale:
Attracting and maintaining a diverse and balanced pool of talented faculty members is the University’s top
priority. As the University expands, there is a need to recruit, develop and sustain a group of world-class
faculty members who are devoted to the University’s mission and values.
The University’s faculty have played a critical role in the strengthening the University’s academic
reputation, particularly related to the international accreditation. Moving forward, greater resources and
investments need to be allocated to faculty selection and development. Key progress must be made in
strengthening faculty development, management and administration systems and policies, ensuring consistency
and continuous faculty improvement.
In addition to exceptional faculty recruitment and development, there is a need to introduce and implement a
comprehensive faculty performance-based appraisal system. Over the years, faculty performance management has
been either lacking or fragmented leading to limited results in faculty motivation and retention.
Rana University also remains committed to developing a research culture at the student and faculty levels.
As such, we will prioritize interdisciplinary research development mobilizing students and key faculty
members. We will invest in technical and financial resources towards streamlining and strengthening research
development. We will help the faculty and students navigate their way in interdisciplinary research through
connecting them to resources, community, and world-renowned researchers and think-tanks.
We will seek to constantly adapt, innovate and exceed the expectations of our students and communities we
work with. We will be renowned as a catalyst for social change, building on our long-standing contributions
towards the economic growth of Afghanistan through the introduction of highly skilled and talented
professionals.
Strategic Objective 2: To nurture and foster a talented faculty from diverse backgrounds, ensuring
continuous professional development and faculty research excellence.
Innovation constitutes a fundamental organizational value at Rana University. Achieving academic excellence
will require relentless innovation and growth to ensure the University meets the educational challenges and
opportunities in Afghanistan.
As the industry leader and only AACSB accreditation aspirant institution, Rana University’s reputation and
performance will be assessed both internally and externally based on its ability to innovate and shape the
higher education landscape. Strategically, there is a need to raise awareness at the university-level about
the significance of the innovative approaches, streamline the innovation efforts and ensure a system-wide
impact through careful design, delivery and follow-up processes.
Keeping in view the University’s strengths and opportunities, Rana must focus on innovation through the
design and delivery of market-driven academic programs; tapping into the latest teaching and learning best
practices with a particular focus on technological innovation in teaching; and establishing the Rana
University’s Center of Excellence to consolidate the development of innovative ideas and
initiatives.
Strategic Objective 3: To foster an environment of sustained innovation and growth with a focus on academic
innovation
Rationale: Development and application of standard policies and procedures has been identified as a key
challenge at Rana University. Considering the expansion and transformation of the University into an
industry leader, Rana University requires responsive and practical policies to guide its operations,
programs and services.
Lack of such critical guiding documents will limit the University’s potential, impact and productivity,
resulting in overlaps and inefficiencies. Key policies that must be developed and updated include:
Improved policies and procedures will help the University transform its staff and student experience,
resulting in increased efficiencies across the University. As such, we will commit to an efficient, respectful
and responsive approach to understanding, analyzing and responding to the student, staff and faculty concerns.
In everything we do, we will adopt a student-centric approach, recognizing that our long-term success hinges
on our ability to efficiently and effectively serve our constituencies.
Strategic Objective 4: To streamline and enhance the University policies, procedures and mechanisms towards
effective collaboration and student success.
Key Actions:
Develop and streamline critical organizational policies and procedures focusing on administration, academic,
registrar and student services.
Rationale:
Since its inception in 2009, Rana University has earned a strong reputation as a competent academic
institution among both national and international stakeholders. Rana University’s students, alumni and
partners represent a critical mass of individuals who can effectively advance the University’s mission
nationally and internationally.
Greater emphasis needs to be placed on forging academic and industry linkages while ensuring that the
University’s “ambassadors” are fully engaged in advancing the University’s outreach goals.
As a key strategic pillar, the public engagement efforts will seek to cultivate stronger, sustainable
connections in ways that together these assets contribute towards the Vision of Excellence. We will work
together with the other University departments to raise Rana University’s status as the “accredited”
institution committed to achieving academic excellence.
We will also support opportunities for students, faculty and departments across the University to share their
achievements, cultivate new partnerships and advance their specific priorities.
Strategic Objective 5: To strengthen and streamline the University’s public engagement effort with national,
regional and international stakeholders.
Key Actions:
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