KABUL - Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have promised $25 million (1,183,500,000 Afghanis) for upgrading the National Aviation Institute to an academy, officials said on Sunday.

The promise was held out at meetings between German and UAE delegations with Afghan authorities, Nangyalay Qalatwal, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News.
He said $15 million would be spent on reconstruction works and the remaining funds on staff capacity building.

The institute head Dr. Naseem said 142 students were currently receiving air traffic, radio and electronics technology education. The institute would be converted into an academy by 2013, facilitating 5,000 students.