Shakofa Barakzi

Shakofa Barakzi is the Director of Education and Empowerment at the Mother International Institute of Education (MIIE). She has more than ten years of experience in education, academic research, and community projects. At MIIE, she works on expanding access to online secondary and higher education for Afghan girls. Her responsibilities include managing international scholarships, monitoring student progress, and contributing to discussions on gender equity and education policy.

Before joining MIIE, Barakzi worked at Herat University as a Social Sciences Specialist while also teaching courses in Political Science, Law, and Human Rights. In addition to her role at Herat University, she also taught at Al-Ghiyas University, gaining experience in both public and private higher education. Her international experience includes working with the University of Turin in Italy as a Coordinator of Social Activities, where she supported refugee and international students through mentorship and integration programs.

Alongside her academic work, Barakzi leads the Afghan Solidarity Association in Turin. This community-based organization provides educational and advocacy initiatives for Afghan refugees and migrants.

Barakzi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration. She was also a doctoral researcher in Political Science at the International Islamic University in Islamabad. She is currently based in the United Kingdom.