A delegation of the Higher Committee for Education Development in Iraq (HCED), an organ of the Prime Minister’s Office, visited the American University of Iraq- Baghdad (AUIB) and met its leadership and senior cadre. Culminating previous discussions, AUIB President, Dr. Bradley Cook, and HCED’s CEO, Dr. Hamid Ahmed, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation that would “serve to accelerate the development of new educational opportunities and reinforce the success of existing initiatives.”
The two parties articulated, in the signed Memorandum, their intent “to expand and deepen” their collaborative ties in education and training, including through cooperation in various relevant activities, based on their belief that “education is fundamental to (create or find) high quality jobs in both the private and public sectors, which opens up a stable and prosperous future for (Iraqi) citizens.”
Such bilateral cooperation is founded on a shared vision that education is indeed a solid investment in Iraq’s future, and on a common “strategic commitment to develop Iraq’s human capital,” said President Cook at the signing ceremony, expressing his eagerness to explore with HCED ways “to prepare Iraqi students to excel abroad” in their graduate studies, and possibly in their future careers.
For his part, Dr. Hamid Ahmed reaffirmed AUIB’s and HCED’s shared vision that education is a fundamental pillar for sustainable development, as evidenced by the government’s agenda in capacity building. He highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting and advancing postgraduate studies, including through scholarship programs that would be sustained despite any hardships, he said. The official regarded the signing of the Memorandum “a good starting point” for furthering the collaborative relationship with AUIB, at the same time commending the university cadre’s “dedication and commitment.”