In 1972 Professor Popal graduated from the Agriculture faculty of Kabul University. After graduation he started teaching at the Agriculture faculty and worked as a head of the Plant Protection Department and Dean of the Agriculture faculty. In February 2002 he was selected as Chancellor of Kabul University and worked in this position until November 2004.

He has researched more than 20 subjects about plant protection and has published work in scientific journals and text books. Professor Popal received an MA from Nebraska University, USA. Currently, he teaches at Kabul University and is the Head of the Plant Protection Department.

Professor Popal participated in session 2b - Are partnerships a one-way street?.