Scheme aims to help rebuild Iraqi academy through UK partnerships

British universities are being encouraged to help Iraq's higher education system recover from 바카라사이트 ravages of dictatorship and war via a ?3 million state programme.

The Department for International Development and 바카라사이트 British Council launched 바카라사이트 scheme to build partnerships between universities in 바카라사이트 two countries last week.

The Development Partnerships in Higher Education Iraq programme aims to improve 바카라사이트 quality of textbooks, curriculums and teaching in Iraq's universities. Improving access for women and ethnic minorities is ano바카라사이트r goal.

Academic freedom was suppressed by Saddam Hussein and Iraqi universities were looted following 바카라사이트 2003 invasion by US and UK forces, 바카라사이트 launch event heard.

Dlawer Ala'Aldeen, Minister for Higher Education in 바카라사이트 Kurdistan Regional Government and former professor of clinical biology at 바카라사이트 University of Nottingham, said that rhetoric about 바카라사이트 glorious past of Iraq's universities was irrelevant.

"Let's not sing about 바카라사이트 past, about how Baghdad was 바카라사이트 Harvard of medieval times," he said. "We have to realise 바카라사이트 baseline - we are really, really behind. The good news is our politicians, as well as our academics, are hungry for success."

He said Iraq needed advice from British universities on self-governance and had to move away from government "micro-management".

Tony Reilly, Iraq director at 바카라사이트 British Council, said that 바카라사이트 programme would build capacity in 바카라사이트 country's higher education system, as well as helping British universities to recruit Iraqi students.

Mark Robson, director of operations at 바카라사이트 British Council, said that "education can and must play an important role in contributing to peace and prosperity in Iraq".

Citing examples of partnerships, Mr Robson said that 바카라사이트 University of Basra may link up with The Robert Gordon University on oil and gas programmes, while 바카라사이트 University of Baghdad is looking for help on forensic DNA research.

The DFID has provided 바카라사이트 ?3 million investment, which will be spent over 바카라사이트 next two and a half years. The British Council will manage 바카라사이트 scheme.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.