The new British International University in Iraq, a project between IBBC members London University, GEMS, and CISQ, was officially opened by the Prime Minister of the KRG, Mr. Masrour Barzani, on Saturday, 7th September. The event was attended by IBBC President Baroness Nicholson, the Chancellor of London University, Lord Boateng, and other IBBC members.

The university project has been organised and initiated by IBBC members GEMS and CISQ: https://www.britishuniversity.krd/.

British International University is a private institution in Erbil delivering British higher education awards. It was founded in 2023, with the first cohort of students expected to move into graduate courses in 2024. BIUI is the only institution in the region to offer undergraduate and postgraduate study with graduation in the UK. It is the first higher education site in the Middle East to offer direct British awards. Together with awarding providers, the University of London and the University of Surrey, BIUI aims to close the gap in access to world-class higher education. BIUI’s long-term strategy is guided by the need to develop 21st-century skills and is committed to the ethos of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Amir Saadati, CEO of GEMS, says: “We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved at the British International University, being able to offer university-level degree programmes in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is an opportunity for students across Iraq and the wider region to come and obtain world-class qualifications. We hope that this will bring Iraq to the forefront of learning development and education, and once again restore it to its former glory as a pioneer and beacon of learning within the region.”

Dr. Kodo, CEO of Cambridge Education and co-founder of the university, says: “We are delighted to be opening the first regional hub of the University of London in Erbil. The university is offering the same quality and range of degrees, with access to courses just like students in London, and will enable final-year students to study in London or in Erbil as part of their degree. Initially, we are offering courses that will lead directly to jobs and opportunities in Iraq. However, since the university’s qualifications are internationally recognised, graduates will also be able to work internationally as well as in the region. As a pioneering project, the British Government is fully behind our initiative, as it provides a new model of education for foreign students to access British education. Our Patron, Princess Anne, is fully supportive of us as a Royal College. BIUI is focused on sustainable practices, including fully digitised courses, the recycling of rainwater on campus into an eco-pond to regulate humidity, and 70% of the 175,000 sq m site is dedicated to green spaces and horticulture.”

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, IBBC President, said: “IBBC is delighted to see BIUI come to life following a long period of members working together to realise this dream, with the full support of IBBC. The BIUI project is significant for IBBC, as our education group is rapidly expanding and contributing to world-class education provision for Iraqi students.”

Prof. Mohammed Al Uzri, IBBC Health and Higher Education Advisor added: “IBBC’s dedication to supporting the renewal and development of Iraqi education to meet the needs and skills of the modern international world is key to realising our objectives. We expect more IBBC projects like BIUI to come into existence in the coming years, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education.”