Academic Recognition of Afghan Credentials: Insights on Mobility, Verification, and Institutional Approaches.

This session will explore the current landscape of Afghan student mobility and its impact on access to higher education in Italy and the United States. A historical overview will provide context for the challenges faced by Afghan students, followed by an examination of the role that institutions can play in supporting their academic pathways. A key focus will be on verifying the authenticity of Afghan educational credentials. CIMEA's and ECE's experience in forensic document analysis - particularly identifying security features in paper-based documents - will be highlighted alongside direct verification processes. Discussion will focus on methods for assessing document authenticity through stamps, signatures, and security features. The session will also cover institutional accreditation and the recognition of Afghan qualifications in Italy and the United States. By analysing accreditation and quality assurance in Afghanistan's private higher education sector, the speakers will discuss the impact of recent social and political developments on Afghan education and compare approaches to academic recognition in Italy and the United States.