About Us
Unisfere is an independent and non-government initiative founded in 2022, specializing in the area of capacity building, research, and sustainable development. Our primary aim is to contribute to the implementation and localization of sustainable development through a multifaceted approach encompassing youth empowerment, research, public awareness, and knowledge sharing.
The Founder’s Message
In the face of numerous challenges plaguing our world, particularly in developing countries and within the realms of Water, Education, Technology and Health, the urgency to foster sustainable development has never been greater. It is time for us to take collective action and contribute to solutions that address both current and future challenges. At Unisfere, we are a group of dedicated youth professionals driven by the desire to make a positive change. Our mission is clear: to empower youth, create awareness, conduct research, and share knowledge. By bridging the gap between Afghanistan and the global community, we aim to tackle the pressing issues that hinder progress and well-being. We invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Mohammad Tahir Ghori, MSc
Unisfere Research Fellowship Afghanistan – cohort 2025
Unisfere is an independent and non-government initiative founded in 2022, specializing in the area of research and sustainable development. Our primary aim is to contribute to the implementation and localization of sustainable development through a multifaceted approach encompassing youth empowerment, research, public awareness, and knowledge sharing.
Fellowship description:
Unisfere Research Fellowship is one of the research programs of Unisfere to enhance academic research skills of students and youths and promote research culture in Afghanistan. The aim of the fellowship is to help youths to learn about research and conduct research on the community challenges in support of sustainable development. This way youths will be equipped with research knowledge and skills while publicization of the research can influence decisions, decision makers, donors, and the public to contribute to the sustainable development which is the mission of Unisfere.
Unisfere Research Fellowship is for youths who can conduct academic research in their desired areas of research while addressing community challenges. Fellows can be based in their home city for the entire process of fellowship. They will be guided through regular online meetings by mentors who have academic and research backgrounds. Fellows will be selected in an open call for applications and in a competitive process. The fellowship is structured in different phases including first phase (learning workshops, topic selection, and proposal development), second phase (conducting research, writing research article, and defense), third phase (support upon graduation).
In the first phase of the fellowship, a larger group of participants will be selected to participate in a series of online learning workshops, select their research topics, and write a short research proposal. In the research phase, a smaller group of participants will be selected based on their first application, research topic, research proposal, and participation in the first phase to conduct their research, write a research report with guidance from the assigned mentors through regular online meetings, and defend their work in a panel of judges. Mentors supervise fellows research progress and provide necessary instructions on the next steps and writing process of the research.
Finally the research abstracts of the fellows from the second phase will be published on Unisfere website in English and one Afghanistan local language with profiles of fellows and will be shared across social media of Unisfere to influence decision makers and public toward a sustainable change. Upon successful completion of the first phase of the fellowship, the fellows will be provided with a certificate of participation and an official link of their research on Unisfere’s website. In addition, after successful completion of the program, fellows will be guided in a mentorship process on their higher education journey by our higher education and scholarship experts.
Eligibility:
– Youths in Afghanistan willing to learn and experience the academic research process.
– Have a good level of English to write a research report and communicate in English.
– Demonstrate commitment to conduct a research which aligns with broader Sustainable Development topics and addresses a community challenge.
– Be under the age of 35 years old at the start of the program.
– Have access to email and the internet to participate in the online part of the program and communicate with mentors.
Benefits:
– Getting research knowledge, skills, and experience.
– Conducting academic research with supervision of international academic researchers.
– Alumni fellows will be instructed on their higher education journey, scholarships, and applications by our higher education and scholarship advisors.
– Financial support (subject to fund during the fellowship).
Fellowship phases:First phase: research workshops, topic selection, and proposal development.
Second phase: conducting the research and writing the research report.
Third phase: presentation and defense.
Fourth phase: Alumni fellows will be instructed on their higher education journey, scholarships, and applications by our higher education and scholarship advisors.
Mentors:
– Mentors are academic researchers from different parts of the world mostly with a Ph.D degree or higher.
– Mentors guide and provide feedback to fellows on their research process and research report.
– Mentors will be in contact with their assigned fellows through regular online meetings (at least two times per month), email, WhatsApp or any other way of communications that they agree on.
– Mentors and fellows can organize their meetings themselves in times which are convenient for both of them.
How to apply: to apply for the fellowship please fill the online form in the Apply option with your information. You will hear from us about the outcome of your application via the official Unisfere’s email addresses.
Deadline: January 31, 2025 12 AM CET
The application must be filled out in English.
For questions , please send us an email: [email protected]
Impact of our Research Fellowship
First Phase
More than 140 fellows, both male and female, participated in 10 research learning workshops, each lasting over 2 hours, conducted by international academic researchers for over a month in our 2023 and 2024 cohorts.
Second Phase
Over 40 fellows including 65 % female and 35 % male successfully participated and conducted research for 4 months, addressing community challenges through more than 35 research topics in our 2023 and 2024 cohort.
Research and Mentorship Process
Research mentors, including academic researchers and university professors, voluntarily supervise the research process of our fellows.
Research Topic Produced
More than 30 Research topics in more than 1000 pages produced by more than 35 fellows and supervision of 20 mentors. You can check abstracts under Research menu.
learn moreBoard of Directors
We, a diverse group of young professionals, are united by our commitment to contributing to sustainable development. With our varied educational and professional backgrounds, we aim to address pressing challenges and drive positive change.
Mohammad Tahir Ghori, MSc
Founder and Chair
Mohammad Tahir Ghori is an Urban Water Management and Climate Adaptation Advisor with a passion for sustainable development and leadership.
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Wazir Armin Mohammadi, MSc
Directors Board Member
Chief Digital Officer of Afghanistan (CDO), Experienced IS/IT Audit Expert, Web & Database Developer with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry.
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Noorahamad Yaqubi, MSc
Directors Board Member
Noor Ahmad Yaqubi is a researcher in the field of sustainable environment and energy systems with expertise in the field of flood risk management and climate change adaptation efforts.
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Jamilurahman Monir, MSc
Directors Board Member
Jamilurahman Monir is a young water and sustainable development professional with a background in hydrology and water resources.
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Aliya Haidari
Aliya Haidari is from Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. She graduated from the Faculty of Law and Political Science and currently she works as an M & E officer in an international organization.
Shahpoor Mutafaker
Shahpoor Motafaker is from Ghor province of Afghanistan. He holds a bachelor degree from Herat University Faculty of Law and Political Science. He is currently manager at Joya professional learning center.
Marwa Alam Safa
A passionate climate and environment specialist, activist, and graduate from the Environmental Science Faculty of Kabul University in 2022. She is founder of Climate and Environment Youth Initiative (CEYI).
Arif Alkozay
Arif Alkozay proudly holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Herat University, graduating in 2023. He served as a Professor Assistant and Research Coordinator at the Engineering Faculty of Herat University.
Our Curriculum
For the first phase of our fellowship, we teach the following topics as workshops to enhance youths research and sustainable development knowledge.
Our Supporters and Partners
There are different national and international organizations who support and partner with us in contributing to SDGs through providing us with funds, sources, and information.
Rumi Organization for Research
Rumi Organization for Research is a non-governmental, non-political, and not-for-profit research organization that produces unbiased, nuanced, high-quality research and analysis.
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Mirab Social Services & Development Organization
MSSADO is our partner in Afghanistan in the fields of water, agricultural, educational, and social services.
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Education Bridge for Afghanistan
Education Bridge for Afghanistan is our partner in the filed of education in Afghanistan and online education worldwide.
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Contact Us
If you want to contribute to the SDGs please send an email to [email protected]
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