A delegation of Iraq's most senior education leaders has learned about UK higher education from BUIC member the University of Exeter.
The University was chosen by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education to host a visit, as part of a leadership development course funded by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
The delegation included senior government officials and the Presidents of some of Iraq's top universities.
The group visited the University on Friday 19 March, where they heard about how Exeter manages its research, knowledge transfer and teaching activities. The day focused on the theme of strategic leadership and included a talk from the University's Registrar and Deputy Chief Executive, David Allen.
The visit also incorporated an introduction to the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, including the unique Centre for Kurdish Studies, and a tour of the Advanced Layer Manufacturing laboratory in the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
Dr Shaun Curtis, Director of International Exeter said: "It was a great privilege to be invited to host this visit. We were delighted to be asked to share our expertise in all aspects of higher education and to have been selected as an example of excellence in the UK. Through our programme of international visits, research collaborations and the increase in international students, we are constantly growing our global reach. This event was a particularly good opportunity for us to further develop our links with Iraq, already strong given that we are a founder member of the British Universities Iraq Consortium."
Following the launch of the DELPHE Iraq programme in London on 14 January, Dr John Withrington (Director of International Office - University of Exeter, and BUIC's Chair) was asked to attend similar launches in Erbil and Baghdad. He gave speeches on both occasions, in the company of Tony Reilly, the British Council's Director in Iraq, and the Ministers for Higher Education from both the Kurdistan and Baghdad governments, both of whom are UK graduates.
The launch in Erbil was at the Cultural Centre at the University of Salahaddin. The event was well attended, with representatives from universities and government. Other speakers comprised Tony Reilly, HE the KRG Minister for Higher Education Prof Dwaler Al'adeen.
Dr John Withrington speaks to the Erbil meeting.
Erbil - L to R, HE Prof Dwaler Al'adeen
(Minister for Higher Education, Kurdistan Regional Government), Mr Tony Reilly (Director, British Council Iraq), and Dr John Withrington (Director
International Office, University of Exeter, and Chair of BUIC).
Speaking at the Erbil launch, Professor Dlawer Al'Aldeen, highlighted the importance of this new programme for the Kurdish Region: "The role of higher education institutions (HEI) in the process of nation-building is indispensable. Raising standards in these institutions has long been a top priority for the people and Government of Kurdistan Region. The DelPHE Iraq Programme provides welcome support, advice and technical assistance for the implementation of our new vision for higher education in the Kurdish Region."
Speaking at the Baghdad launch, Dr Abed Dhiab Al Ajeeli said: "Education is the valve for peace, stability and prosperity in Iraq. The sector has a crucial role to play in the future of Iraq. University partnerships will provide us with access to international experience - enabling us to catch up on 21st century developments in Higher Education teaching, learning, research and management. We look forward to a new generation of academic partnerships with UK Universities."
L to R, Mr Tony Reilly (Director, British Council Iraq), Peter Rundell (Head, Department for International Development), HE Dr Abd Dhiab Al Ajeeli, Iraqi Minister for Higher Education, and Dr John Withrington (Director
International Office, University of Exeter, and Chair of BUIC).
HE Dr Abd Dhiab Al Ajeeli and Dr John Withrington shake hands, Mr Tony Reilly in background.
DelPHE-Iraq will support the development of partnerships between Iraqi higher education institutions and those in the UK and other countries.
The British Council launched the new DelPHE-Iraq scheme at Woburn House, part of Universities, UK at a special event held on the 14th January, attended by both Iraqi and UK dignitaries.
Managed by the British Council, the scheme is part of the wider DFID funded Development Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) programme, which funds partnerships between HEIs in the UK and other countries in order to promote sustainable development. DelPHE-Iraq will address some of the challenges faced by the Iraqi higher education sector as a result of years of isolation and underinvestment.
Partnerships will work towards enhancing the quality of teaching, learning and research provided by academics; improving opportunities for the participation and representation of women in Iraqi HEIs and creating HE leaders and managers who will act as agents of change.
For more details please email DelpheIraq@britishcouncil.org, or vist the DelPHE Iraq website
Dr John Withrington (Director of International Office, University of Exeter; and BUIC's Chair ) spoke at the launch.
The event was attended by both Iraqi
and UK dignitaries.
The speakers outlined their aims for the scheme.
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Senior government officials and the university leaders from Iraq with Dr Shaun Curtis and Dr John Withrington (University of Exeter) meet in Exeter.
Photo: John Ffoulkes.