The Continuing Education Institute (CEI) at the American University of Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) held a graduation ceremony for the students of seven of the various training courses it offers to working professionals who wish to develop their careers by enhancing their knowledge and skills in different fields, and to those aiming to embark on new career paths. The Institute introduces to the Iraqi market professional development and entrepreneurship training programs that are the latest on the world level, thus contributing to the provision of competencies that Iraq is in increasing need for, as the country is witnessing a period of remarkable growth and development.
“Continuing Education must have a developmental role,” affirms the CEO of AUIB’s CEI, Mr. Ziad Shaaban, speaking of the “consensus on the urgency of reviving the country” which he had sensed among decision makers in governmental bodies, private sector institutions, and civil society organizations in Iraq. “We sense strong will and enthusiasm,” and also keenness on receiving the best of professional training programs, Mr. Shaaban continues, explaining the strong demand for the various courses offered by CEI that “was able to bring together, in a short period of time, trainers and trainees” from these different sectors of Iraqi society, in addition to trainers from different parts of the world, who all brought to the Institute leading expertise that was drawn upon by the hundreds of those who were enrolled in CEI’s courses or engaged in its workshops, conferences, and seminars.
Representatives of various governmental, private, and civil society institutions attended the graduation ceremony. CEI had formed “a hub” joining these parties, simultaneously assessing their needs and drawing upon their expertise, subsequently building partnerships among them and developing training programs in light of the knowledge accrued at the Institute, according to Mr. Shaaban who saw that the purpose of the work carried out at CEI is “to make AUIB a great catalyst of rebuilding the education and business sectors” in Iraq.