Mr. Abdul Wasi Popalzay, Central University of Punjab, India
Mr. Abdul Wasi Popalzay is a dedicated and multilingual academic specializing in international relations, South Asian geopolitics, and gender studies. Currently pursuing a PhD at the Central University of Punjab, India, he holds a Master’s in Political Science and a Bachelor’s in Education. With over a decade of teaching experience in Afghanistan and extensive civic engagement through the Independent Election Commission, Mr. Popalzay combines academic rigor with social impact. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in respected journals such as Routledge and World Scientific, focusing on regional diplomacy, Taliban politics, and gender apartheid. His commentaries in Eurasia Review and Mainstream Weekly address global conflicts and rights issues. A frequent presenter at national and international conferences, he contributes to academic dialogue on foreign policy and governance. Fluent in English, Persian, Pashto, and Hindi, he also holds certifications in pedagogy, English, and management. His research reflects a commitment to justice, diplomacy, and global policy development.
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
🎓 Educational Background
Mr. Abdul Wasi Popalzay has pursued a strong academic path in the field of political science and international relations. He is currently enrolled as a PhD scholar in International Relations at the Central University of Punjab, India, where he began his doctoral studies in 2021. Prior to this, he completed his Master’s degree in Political Science from the same university between 2019 and 2021, gaining advanced knowledge in governance, diplomacy, and geopolitical affairs. His foundational academic training began with a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Kandahar University, Afghanistan, which he completed in 2015. His early education was rooted at Ahmad Shah Baba High School in Kandahar, where he earned his high school diploma in 2010. This continuous academic progression reflects his dedication to understanding complex political systems, educational methodologies, and global governance, which now shape his research in regional geopolitics and gender studies.
🏫 Teaching & Professional Experience
Mr. Abdul Wasi Popalzay possesses over a decade of teaching and civic engagement experience that reflects his commitment to education and public service. From 2010 to 2019, he served as a high school teacher at Ahmad Shah Baba High School in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he taught a diverse range of subjects including Mathematics, Physics, English, Persian, and Pashto to students from grades 7 to 12. Beyond classroom instruction, he played a key role in leading pedagogy training programs, organizing academic workshops, and contributing to curriculum development to enhance educational quality. Simultaneously, he engaged in civic initiatives as a District Field Coordinator and Civic Educator with the Independent Election Commission’s Kandahar Regional Office during Afghanistan’s national elections in 2010, 2013, and 2014. In this capacity, he coordinated district-level outreach and delivered civic education to strengthen democratic participation and voter awareness, showcasing his dual focus on education and social empowerment.
📜 Certifications
Mr. Abdul Wasi Popalzay has earned several certifications that complement his academic and professional journey, highlighting his expertise in education, language, and administration. In 2024, he was awarded the PlanetSpark Aptitude Test Certificate for his outstanding performance in Child Pedagogy, English Language, Logical Reasoning, and Grammar, reflecting his strong analytical and instructional skills. From 2016 to 2018, he completed an English Language Certificate program at the Afghan Educational and Cultural Centre in Kandahar, which enhanced his fluency and communication proficiency in English. Further expanding his administrative and technical knowledge, Mr. Popalzay successfully undertook a 6-month certificate course in Management, English, and Computer offered by the Afghanistan Independent Commission for Civil Services and Administrative Reforms in 2010. These certifications collectively showcase his continuous pursuit of skill development, equipping him with the pedagogical, linguistic, and managerial tools necessary for impactful contributions in both academic and civic sectors.
Research Focus
Mr. Abdul Wasi Popalzay’s research focus lies at the intersection of international relations, South Asian geopolitics, gender studies, and global health diplomacy. His scholarly work explores the complex dynamics of regional diplomacy, post-conflict governance, and authoritarian impacts on civil liberties, with a particular emphasis on Afghanistan and its neighboring states. A significant portion of his research examines Taliban-era educational restrictions and their gendered consequences, contributing to the discourse on gender apartheid and women’s rights under repressive regimes. He also analyzes Afghanistan–Pakistan and Uzbekistan–Taliban relations, reflecting his focus on foreign policy and regional security frameworks in South and Central Asia. In addition, his collaborative research on global health diplomacy addresses the public health crisis in Afghanistan, integrating socio-political determinants with humanitarian strategies. His work on India’s soft power in the Maldives illustrates his interest in strategic diplomacy and cultural influence. Overall, Mr. Popalzay’s research is grounded in applied political science with a commitment to social justice and regional peacebuilding.
Publication Top Notes
📘 Conflict and Social Determinants of Health: Would Global Health Diplomacy Resolve the Afghanistan Healthcare Conundrum? – Cited by 8 | 🗓️ 2023
📗 Regional Diplomacy and Economic Cooperation: Examining Uzbekistan–Taliban Relations in the Post-2021 Afghan Geopolitical Landscape – Cited by 1 | 🗓️ 2025
📕 Gender Apartheid in Education: The Taliban’s Educational Restrictions and Their Consequences for Afghan Women and Girls – 2025
📙 The Evolving Dynamics of Afghanistan–Pakistan Relations: Implications of the Taliban’s Resurgence Post-2021 – 2025
📔 India’s Soft Power Diplomacy in the Maldives: Cultural and Strategic Engagement Amidst Geopolitical Challenges – 2024