Mohammad Shafiq Hamdam (Dari: محمد شفیق همدم; born 1981) is an Afghan writer and analyst specializing in information technology, AI/ML, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and national security policy. He has previously served as a portfolio leader for Deloitte, IMF, and Deputy Senior Advisor and Senior Technical Director to the President of the Islamic Republic of Senior Advisor to NATO and the Chairman of the Afghan Anti-Corruption Network (AACN).
Early life and education Mohammad Shafiq Hamdam was born in 1981 in Alishing District, Laghman Province, Afghanistan. He attended local schools in Kabul, Laghman and Jalalabad before beginning studies in political science at Nangarhar University, which were interrupted during Taliban rule. Hamdam later earned a degree in health sciences from the Nangarhar Institute of Health Sciences and a diploma in administration and economics. He completed postgraduate studies in security and international relations at the George Marshall Center for Security Studies in Germany (2010), a master’s degree in national security affairs from The Institute of World Politics in Washington D.C., and a master’s in cybersecurity engineering from George Washington University. Hamdam's educational background is diverse, spanning sciences, administration, economics, security studies, international relations, and cybersecurity. In addition to his formal education, Hamdam's linguistic proficiency, combined with his diverse educational background, positions him as a candidate for international diplomacy and cross-cultural communication. His ability to communicate in multiple languages, including Dari, Pashto, Urdu, and English, is an asset in politics and security, bridging cultural gaps and fostering understanding.
Career history
Hamdam currently serves as a Senior Engagement Manager at Amazon Web Services and, before that, as a Senior Portfolio Leader at Deloitte, offering guidance and support to several Fortune 100 companies in AI/ML, cybersecurity, and information technology. Before these roles, he held the position of Senior Program Manager at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. In Afghanistan, Hamdam served as a Senior Technical Director and Deputy Senior Adviser to the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan at the Senior Advisory Office of the President on UN Affairs (SAOP UN-Affairs). The SAOP UN-Affairs played role in implementing One UN system for Afghanistan, a strategic framework that replaced the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Afghanistan. This involved successfully drafting a mutual accountability framework between the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations, creating a single system for budget, programs, and data, and building the Development Assistance Database (DAD) an aid information management system (AIMS) developed by Synergy International Systems. The implementation of One UN or Delivering as One (DAO) presented significant challenges for both the UN family and the Afghan government; however, the SAOP achieved success in this endeavor. Under the new framework, the UN is mandated to align its budget, priorities, programs, and projects with Afghanistan's national strategies.
In his role as NATO's Senior Advisor, Hamdam played part in implementing the Virtual Silk Highway Project in Afghanistan. The NATO project to provide internet access to researchers and scientists in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus is named after the historical Silk Road trade route. It uses satellite-based technology to connect these regions with the global internet, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. He also advised senior NATO, U.S., and international policymakers on the political and developmental dynamics of Afghanistan, South Asia, and Central Asia. Additionally, he serves as the Chairman of the Afghan Anti-Corruption Network (AACN) a coalition of civil society organizations dedicated to tackling corruption. In addition to his advisory and analytical roles, Hamdam actively collaborates with numerous organizations. He sits on the Board of the Modern Organization for the Development of Education (MODE) and served as the chairman of the Anti-Corruption Watch Organization's executive board. He has also founded initiatives such as Youth For Peace, Afghan Youth Against Corruption, Anti-Corruption Watch Organization, and Kabul Tribune—an online newspaper. Additionally, Hamdam co-founded the Women's International Coalition Against Corruption.
His affiliations include membership in the Afghan Young Leaders of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), a position as Program Associate at the Hiroshima Peace Builders Center, and participation in the United Nations Coalition Against Corruption (UNCAC). During the 2009 presidential and provincial elections of Afghanistan, Hamdam contributed as a presenter for political round-table discussions on Moby Media, TOLOnews. From 2001 to 2008, he held positions as a linguist, culture advisor, media coordinator, and spokesman for Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan and the Department of Defense. His journey into public service began in 2001 as a freelance interpreter. From 1998 to 2001, he served as a Project Manager with the World Health Organization in Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan. The Asia Society recognized Hamdam as one of the 21 Young Asia Leaders.
Fighting corruption
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
