Opening Ceremony Report of the 8th ICPC Afghanistan Programming Contest Hosted by Kateb University

The opening ceremony of the 8th Regional ICPC Afghanistan Programming Contest (ICPC Afghanistan 2025) was held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 (1 Aqrab 1404) at the conference hall of Kateb University. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education, the Union of Private Universities of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Zahin Oxus Company, Green Technology Company, university professors, judges from both public and private universities, student teams from Kabul and other provinces, and a number of other distinguished academic guests.

The ceremony began in a spirited and motivational atmosphere, reflecting the growth of technology culture, creativity, and innovation among the country’s students.
As the official host of ICPC Afghanistan for the eighth consecutive year, Kateb University proudly continues to organize this international academic competition. The program was conducted under the supervision and leadership of Mr. Mohammad Shah Omid, Vice President for Student Affairs at Kateb University and Regional Site Director of ICPC Afghanistan, with the close collaboration of the judging committee, organizing team, technical team, and service team — all under the academic leadership of the Faculty of Computer Science at Kateb University.
The ceremony opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Mr. Parwiz Bakhtri. Then, Assistant Professor Ali Ahmad Yousufi, President of Kateb University, welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of transparency, the value of ICPC, and the significance of holding such competitions to enhance students’ academic capacity.
Following him, Mr. Mohammad Shah Omid delivered a brief and heartfelt speech, explaining the goals, philosophy, and significance of ICPC, stating that this competition goes beyond an academic event — it is a platform for creativity, learning, and collaboration among the young generation of Afghanistan.
Later, Professor Mohammad Jan Popal, President of the Union of Private Universities of Afghanistan, appreciated Kateb University for consistently hosting high-quality ICPC competitions. He highlighted the importance of such initiatives in developing technical skills and strengthening cooperation among academic institutions in the country. He also praised Kateb University’s role in promoting a culture of academic competition and reinforcing the position of private higher education in Afghanistan.
Additionally, Mr. Amarkhil, Deputy Director of Zahin Oxus Company, one of the financial sponsors of this edition, delivered remarks on the growth of technology and its role in shaping future employment opportunities.
In this 8th ICPC Afghanistan Contest, preparatory bootcamps were held to train and prepare the participating teams. In total, more than 67 teams from public and private universities across the country are competing in this prestigious scientific event. The teams securing first, second, and third places will represent Afghanistan in the ICPC World Finals and the ICPC West Asia Regional Contest.
The primary goals of this competition are to enhance programming skills, strengthen algorithmic thinking, and promote teamwork culture among Afghan students. This event serves as a platform to identify the country’s bright young talents and provide opportunities for them to shine in the international arena of science and technology.
The ceremony concluded with a prayer led by Mawlawi Zahiruddin Nouri, Head of Dawat and Ershad Department at Kateb University, marking a spiritual and inspiring end to the opening program.
As the official host of the 8th ICPC Afghanistan 2025, Kateb University once again reaffirmed its position as one of the leading institutions in higher education, technology, and the nurturing of young talents in Afghanistan.