About Us

The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB) is a private, non-profit University launched in February 2021. AUIB follows in the tradition of the three historical institutions of Baghdad: the House of Wisdom; al-Nizamiyah Madrasah, often described as the largest university in the medieval world; and al-Mustansiriyah Madrasah. As such, AUIB is steeped in the rich historical academic and intellectual traditions of Iraq while embracing the pedagogy and cutting-edge knowledge of the 21st century as embodied in the American-style system of higher education. As a bridge between historical traditions and modern technologies and knowledge, AUIB offers students a solid foundation for lifelong learning built on centuries-old cultural and academic traditions with an openness to global developments.

The American University of Iraq – Baghdad

Our History

The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB) is a non-profit University that opened its doors to students on February 14, 2021. Its state-of-the-art campus is the former al-Faw Presidential Palace located next to the Baghdad International Airport. AUIB first opened with three colleges; Arts and Sciences, Business, and International Studies. Since then, Colleges of Pharmacy, Dentistry, Health Technologies, Law, and Education have also opened with several more planned to open in the next few years.

AUIB is accredited by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, while also on a path to accreditation in the United States. In addition to seeking institutional accreditation, AUIB is also developing all its colleges and programs in the expectation of applying for programmatic accreditation as soon as it is eligible. To achieve that, the university is partnering with key universities in the U.S. and Europe, such as Vanderbilt, Exeter, Temple, Lawrence Tech, Sapienza Rome, and others to develop curricula that will match or exceed international standards. In the meantime, AUIB is developing graduate programs with its top-rated, accredited university partners to offer their degrees in Baghdad at a substantial cost savings to the students.

AUIB aspires to be a comprehensive university, internationally recognized for research and teaching, thought leaders on contemporary issues that benefit the public and preserve the heritage and culture of Iraq, while preparing entrepreneurial, innovative graduates to meet the demands and the challenges of Iraq’s economic and social development in an increasingly dynamic and diverse world. It is a university for all of Iraq’s ethnic and religious communities and dedicated to serving every province of the country. AUIB is truly the comprehensive, American-style university for all Iraqis.

Future of AUIB

What does the future hold for AUIB?

A lot! Our university is young, growing, vibrant, and exciting. We are adding new buildings, hiring new faculty from around the world, and adding majors and programs for our students every year. With a thousand or more students joining us every year, we are one of the fastest growing universities not only in Iraq but in the larger region.

Let’s start with new colleges. We have just opened our College of Education and Human Development with Vanderbilt University, consistently ranked in the top five colleges of education in the U.S. We will soon open our new College of Engineering with Lawrence Technological University and Temple University, both of them highly rated in the U.S. and globally. In the coming years, we will also open a College of Medicine, and a College of Agriculture, and other colleges to meet the needs of Iraq’s development in the future.

We are also building new partnerships with top universities in the U.S., Europe, and globally to ensure our students have the opportunities they deserve as they prepare for careers in the global economy. These partnerships will give AUIB students unprecedented opportunities for graduate studies in the U.S. with globally recognized universities. We are also adding staff to support the success of our students and ensuring that they have the support they need not only to succeed, but to flourish in their studies.

AUIB is not just an American-style university, but a vibrant and growing community of scholars and students with an exciting future. Make AUIB your academic home!

Our Vision

The vision of AUIB is to become a comprehensive university, internationally recognized for research and teaching, thought leaders on contemporary issues that benefit the public and preserve the heritage and culture of Iraq, while preparing entrepreneurial, innovative graduates to meet the demands and the challenges of Iraq’s economic and social development in an increasingly dynamic and diverse world.

Our Mission

The mission of AUIB is to serve Iraq and the world, through the spirit of free and broad inquiry, by supporting research and teaching on local and global issues, forming academic partnerships with top universities and international organizations, and creating an American-style, technology-enhanced curriculum that enables graduates to pursue careers and civic engagement that will, in turn, shape the future of Iraq and the region.

In The News

Innovate, Learn, Succeed

AUIB’s College of Dentistry Organizes Its 1st White Coat Ceremony

The College of Dentistry (CoD) at the American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) celebrated the commencement of its first cohort of students of their practical clinical training at a “White Coat […]

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AUIB Hosts Closing Conference of “Women’s Voice First” Program

The American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) and its American Space program co-organized and hosted on campus the closing conference of the “Women’s Voice First” program, featuring an exhibition of a […]

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Global Partnerships