Prof. Jamil Momand, director of Southern California Bioinformatics Summer Institute
Biochemistry professors Shamsulrahim Rahim and Ziaauddin Azimi left Kabul University (KU) in Afghanistan in order to spend ten weeks studying in the laboratories of CSULA.
Rahim is a professor at KU’s medical school and Azimi is a professor at KU’s pharmacy school. Jamil Momand, director of the CSULA Southern California Bioinformatics Summer Institute and ten-year CSULA biochemistry professor arranged the trip for the two professors.
The trip came from Momand’s desire to assist in establishing a highly educated Afghanistan. After visiting KU in 2006 and working in the biochemistry medical and pharmacy schools there, Momand returned home because of a fear of terrorist bombings. Upon returning, Momand drafted a proposal to bring Rahim and Azimi to the U.S. to help them develop a university curriculum at KU. He was able to receive a grant funded by the Koshland Foundation, a civic unity program providing resources for the community.
Rahim and Azimi are both taking English courses for reading and writing, and courses on advanced biotechnology techniques in research labs.
Momand wants the professors to learn updated lab practices and return to KU to revise their curriculum. “I hope they can adopt the lab practices that they receive here, “ said Momand. “Their equipment has not been updated since the 70’s. I would like to continue this project. We just need a steady source of funds to carry this out.”
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