The American University of Afghanistan (Pashto: د افغانستان امريکايي پوهنتون / Persian: دانشگاه امریکایی افغانستان) (AUAF) is Afghanistan’s first private, not-for-profit institution of higher education. Chartered in 2004, AUAF offers undergraduate degree programs as well as intensive English-language college preparatory courses (the Foundation Studies Program) and continuing education and professional development training (the Professional Development Institute). The university is currently considering a proposal for launching graduate programs beginning in 2011. The idea for AUAF began in 2002 with Dr. Sharif Fayez, then Afghan Minister of Higher Education. During his time as minister, he proposed the creation of Afghanistan’s first-ever private university. The following year in an address before UNESCO, United States First Lady Laura Bush announced her support of educational initiatives in Afghanistan. The United States Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, likely inspired from his own experience at The American University of Beirut, encouraged the establishment of The American University of Afghanistan.