Internationalising Higher Education

The Iraq higher education system faces an array of challenges as a result of its isolation from the global academic community. Following an introduction about the significance of education in the UK's future relationship with Iraq, this session examines ways of opening up the Iraqi education sector to current global thinking on policy and practice. Speakers will explore ways of strengthening the capacity of Iraqi institutions to deliver the competencies required to help rebuild the sector and contribute to the development of a secure, prosperous and stable Iraq. In the first of two 20-minute debates, UK and Iraqi presenters will examine progress towards a national TVET strategy for Iraq, with views from partners engaged in this process and the Rawabit Initiative. This will be followed by perspectives on the rebuilding of higher education capacity in Iraq: examining the impact of UK government-funded schemes aimed at encouraging knowledge sharing through higher education partnerships (the DelPHE Iraq scheme); the new vision for higher education in Kurdistan; and a new leadership and management programme aimed at Iraqi senior cademics. Collectively, the discussions will highlight the opportunities for enhancing the skills of higher education leaders and managers, who will act as agents of change in the rebuilding of the higher education system in Iraq. Closing words by the Head of Iraq's Parliamentary Education Committee will emphasise Iraq's desire to meet global challenges through education reform.Mahmoud Shakir Abdulhussain, Jo Clough and Ali Hadaw spoke on: Moving towards a national VET strategy. Dlawer Al'Aldeen, David Lock and Tony Reilly discussed Higher Education
Partnerships - working together for Iraq's future while the closing remarks were made by Ala'a Mekki with Gordon Campbell on the Chair.