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Iraqi scholars find fellowship at UNE

May 31, 2006

Iraqi scholars meet Prof PollardThe University of New England is playing a part in rebuilding one of war-torn Iraq’s most precious and badly depleted assets: its higher education system.

UNE has welcomed seven UNESCO-sponsored Iraqi fellows to its Armidale campus, to participate in a three-month professional development program. The program involves 67 institutions in 15 different countries. So far UNE is the only Australian university to participate in the program.

The program is being coordinated at UNE by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Development and International), Professor Robin Pollard. Professor Pollard says the program presents an excellent opportunity for UNE, as well as the Iraqi scholars.

“The fellows and their UNE hosts have an opportunity to forge substantial long-term relationships between UNE and the respective Iraqi universities,” he says. “Such links will include staff and student exchange, and collaborative teaching and research.”

Dr Abdul Farhood, who teaches semiconductor physics at the Al-Qadisiya University College of Science, is looking forward to continuing his research at UNE. He recently had a paper on radon pollution published in an Iraqi scientific journal, and says he is interested in finding solutions to Iraq’s pollution problems, including radiation left over from the use of depleted uranium shells in both Gulf wars. He is also excited about access to sophisticated optical and electrical equipment that he hasn’t seen since completing his PhD in the UK in 1990.

Dr Salah Sahib Shaker from Baghdad University has already benefited from the visit. He has found valuable articles that will help him in his research, and observed classes in accounting and auditing, his field of specialisation. Food scientist Dr Sabri Chethier Abood says the program is “a small step towards helping our universities to develop”.

“We have been looking at equipment and visiting classes and research labs,” he says. “We will transfer all of these things to our own universities when we return.”

Dr Amin Badawy, who teaches microbiology at the University of Tikrit, says he hopes the fellowship program will “open a line” between his university and UNE.

“We hope to make a relationship with UNE to exchange staff and students,” he says. “Also, we would like to collaborate on research with UNE.”

Decades of war, oppression and international sanctions have taken a heavy toll on Iraq’s universities. Thousands of academics fled the country during the 1990s, leaving behind holes their colleagues struggled to fill. Those who remained carried on despite dwindling salaries, and lack of access to equipment and scholarly journals. Until recently, most Iraqi universities weren’t even equipped with computers, let alone connected to the Internet. Salaries and access to equipment have improved since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, however security remains an overriding concern. Students and staff are often frightened to travel to work due to frequent bombings and outbreaks of fighting.

For the seven fellows, the next few months will bring the opportunity to interact with their international colleagues in a way many of them have not been able to for decades. And for Iraq’s universities, the program represents a small step towards regaining their position at the forefront of the scholarly world.

For more information contact Leon Braun (UNE Public Relations) on (02) 6773 3771. A photo is available to accompany this story.

Posted by Leon Braun at May 31, 2006 10:36 AM