SPRING/FALL 2014 PAGE 13

THE STATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN : LESSONS FROM EIGHT IRAQI FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS

Shamiran Mako and Denis J. Sullivan*

On September 3, 2014, the Boston to the state of higher education in and academic appointments throughout Consortium for Arab Region Studies Iraq, particularly post-2003. First, universities in the Kurdistan region. On a (BCARS) hosted a unique workshop the types of constraints that shape the regional level, however, there appears to featuring eight Iraqi Fulbright visiting level of access and delivery of higher be more investment in higher education scholars, all graduates of various Iraqi education vary between Iraq and the capacity building through the formation institutions of higher education. These Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In the case of new universities and the creation eight Fulbright Scholars spent the of the former, scholars underscored the of new departments and expansion of summer in Boston and were based at security situation as a decisive factor in existing schools and faculties. Salem State University. The scholars determining university enrollment and Although the challenges encountered were selected to participate in the educator access to institutions of higher varied across cities and most notably Fulbright program at Salem State education. Physical safety has posed between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, from a pool of over 300 candidates a big hurdle in accessing university faculty and students alike experienced across Iraq. The scholars specialize in classrooms and campuses, which has similar constraints in the circumstances various disciplines and sub-fields of impeded education delivery. In fact, a that have affected higher education English language training, including from a university outside of across the country. The scholars across pedagogy, grammar, and applied was advised by students not Iraq point to the continued dearth of linguistics at universities throughout to carry a briefcase to work because academics from the country stemming Iraq. They represent several regions and that made her an identifiable target for from the 1991 and the post-2003 “brain universities, including the University terrorist groups targeting academics and drain” that resulted in the targeting of Baghdad, University of Diyala, , specifically. Others pointed and subsequent flight of academics University of , and Sulaymaniyah to the prohibition of mobile devices and technocrats from the country. This University in Iraqi Kurdistan. (including cell phones and laptop “brain drain” has affected the ratio The aim of the BCARS-hosted computers) from university campuses of students to professors as the ever- workshop was three-fold: across the country as such devices growing levels of student enrollment far can be used to remotely activate and surpass the availability of professors, 1. To facilitate a discussion with detonate bombs targeting students and especially where the enrollment in academics in the Boston area on faculty members; this prohibition clearly English language programs specifically the state of higher education in disrupts the delivery of information in an is increasing faster than faculty Iraq’s conflict zones; increasingly technologically dependent availability. Many English professors 2. To better understand critical learning environment. echo similar concerns regarding limited challenges facing Iraqi scholars Moreover, although the security classroom space, increase in weekly and academics working inside the dimension was less of an issue for lecturing hours to accommodate a larger country; and students and faculty in the Kurdistan student body (in one case, from eight 3. To elucidate the professional Region, corruption and nepotism pose hours per week to over thirty hours), and personal needs of Iraqi the biggest challenges to the state of limited faculty availability, and an academics working at various higher education on both the state exponential increase in administrative institutions of higher education and the sub-state level. These issues and academic duties associated with the inside Iraq, particularly following extended to the selections of candidates rise in student enrollment. On a national the post-2003 “brain drain.” to masters and doctoral programs, level, the faculty members shared determined funding distribution, similar sentiments regarding the lack of While the Iraqi scholars reflected employment opportunities, and academic overall funding and investment in higher positively on the success of exchange appointments. Furthermore, scholars education, including investment in new and scholarship programs, such as from the Kurdistan Region emphasized research technologies and digital access Fulbright in the United States, Erasmus issues regarding mandatory political to domestic and international research in the E.U., and Chevening in the U.K., party affiliations as decisive factors in resources. Likewise, the scholars they all highlighted critical challenges graduate school admissions and faculty noted limitations in the availability and PAGE 14 TAARII NEWSLETTER accessibility of digital research tools on software programs and training tools • A compilation of studies on and off college and university campuses to enhance e-learning global partnerships for students for students and faculty members alike. and academics on three levels: high • Recording devices to record and school, university, and institutional publish lectures online for easy What is needed to help Iraqi leadership exchanges scholars and students alike? access • Partnerships to ensure the The Fulbright Scholars at the BCARS • Access to virtual libraries and participation of the right people workshop emphasized the ability for research resources (even if it is with right skills to advance and faculty and students to access digital limited) from outside Iraq scale their promising results and resources for conducting research and • Updated books, libraries, and initiatives. Alumni services can for keeping up to date with emerging periodicals and training programs support these partnerships to invest research across the region and on an for faculty members and enhance previous programs. international level. They collectively • Engagement in cooperative requested the aid of American, Fundamentally, these Fulbright scholars cultural discussions with U.S. and Canadian, and European colleges are optimistic, yet realistic, in striving European academic institutions and universities to develop academic for academic integrity for themselves exchanges for both faculty and students • Collaborative research with non- and their students; academic freedom so as to bolster their international Iraqi academics and publishing in for all students and faculty engaged networks in order to apply novel and global journals in the pursuit of knowledge, , innovative teaching tools. All expressed and discovery; and achieving peace • Assistance in internationalizing the need for updated teaching materials throughout Iraq, including on their Iraqi academic institutions and basic needs starting with textbooks, campuses across the country, to enable databases, and lab equipment and are • Bringing Iraqi scholars from all students, faculty, and staff to pursue generally committed to enhancing their different parts of the country to these academic interests in a safe, teaching skills with new technologies American institutions and vice conflict-free environment. and academic team-teaching as well as versa in order to bolster academic collaborative research. They specifically exchange programs * Shamiran Mako is an associate at the requested assistance with the following • Creating opportunities for Iraqi Weatherhead Center for International Affairs issues: scholars to attend international at Harvard University and a Carnegie Visiting Scholar of the Boston Consortium • Co-teaching via video conferences for Arab Region Studies. conferencing or Skype with non- • A network of investments in Denis J. Sullivan is professor of political Iraqi academics international partnership programs science at Northeastern University and • Well-equipped language learning for students, researchers, and faculty founding Director of the Boston Consortium facilities, including updated members for Arab Region Studies.

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