Waris Ahmad Faizi is a distinguished researcher who holds an MA in Sociology with summa cum laude honors from the American University of Central Asia (AUCA). As a DAAD and Erasmus+ scholar, his passion for international research led him to participate in an Erasmus+ exchange program at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU) in Germany. At AUCA, he expanded his role beyond academia, serving as a Teaching Assistant in the Sociology department, as well as mentoring Afghan students through career development training and workshops. Professionally, Waris contributes to the IFC World Bank’s research and development projects with a focus on Afghanistan. He has previously served as a senior socioeconomic and development specialist at the Capital Region Development Authority and as a consultant and research specialist on World Bank Group development initiatives in Afghanistan. Moreover, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer at some renowned universities in Kabul for five years. Waris also holds an MA in Economic Governance and Development from the OSCE Academy, enriching his academic profile. His career has spanned various research roles, including a research fellowship at George Washington University’s Central Asia Program and internships at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Secretariat, as well as at the Center for Research and Graduate Education (CRGE) at Kazakh-German University (DKU). With a deep commitment to his field, Waris continues to significantly contribute to socio-economic development research in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond.