The Work of the Conference

The Symposium will be organised around two main themes:

Theme I The present state of universities, and other higher educational and research establishments in Iraq and the challenges facing both the national higher education system and individual institutions
The representatives from Iraq will mainly deal with this theme.

Theme II The roles and cooperation in the rehabilitation and development of higher education and research establishments in Iraq that can be played by the universities and other higher education, professional and research establishments from the U.K. and other interested countries, and NGOs, corporations and national, regional and international organizations.

The contributions to Theme II will be mainly by participants who present concrete action plans and mechanisms of implementation. The following are topics of possible interest.

• Contributions to human resources development, specifically the updating and vitalising of the higher education and research skills and scientific knowledge of academic staff and assistants, through e.g. fellowships, post docs, grants, organisation and attendance at workshops, Symposiums; and continuing education programmes.

• The twinning of Iraqi universities with universities abroad aimed at establishing strong one-to-one links in academic, research, sports and social activities.

• The creation of joint university degree programmes in subjects of common interests.

• The organisation of visiting exchange schemes for academic staff, scientists, assistants and students.

• Locally conducted training programmes and examinations for professional qualifications and postgraduate academic degrees.

• Establishment in Iraq directly or through partnership of extensions or branches of interested universities of international standing.

• Promotion of joint research projects in specific subjects for the development of scientific research in Iraq.

• Developing a framework for ethical scientific research policy to meet the legitimate concerns of international community while facilitating the full participation of Iraqi scientists at the cutting edge of science.

• Contributions from industry, trade and multinational corporations to the establishment of laboratories and other teaching and training facilities.

• Philanthropic contributions to build sports, social and teaching facilities for students.

• Donations in-kind from instrument makers, publishers, academic libraries and university/research laboratories of various items for teaching and training.

• The creation of a development fund/trust for Iraq universities and vocational institutions.