Baroness Nicholson and H.E Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi, the minister for Higher Education in Iraq have signed an MOU that committed to expand and deepen educational links between the UK and the Government of Iraq. The MOU is designed to open doors to opportunities where IBBC can offer advice to the MoHE and extend the links between British universities and Iraq universities, to facilitate the Iraqi scholarship programme for Iraqi students studying in the UK and explore staff and employment exchanges between academics. In attendance were officials of the Iraqi government including Prof Hazem Taher, scholarships and cultural relations directors, Prof Kossay Al Ahmady President of University of Mosul, Prof Alaa Alzwghaibi senior MOHESR advisor and Prof Mohammed Al- Hashimi the Iraqi cultural attaché in London,  as well as Prof Mohammed Al Uzri health and higher education advisor for IBBC.

IBBC has been growing its educational membership and sector significantly. The educational initiative follows from many discussions and the recently launched scholarship scheme to provide up to 5,000 Iraqi scholarships to Iraqi university graduates, engineering, and medical students in particular, many of whom will come to study in the UK.

Baroness Nicholson said ’It is very fulfilling to see so much interaction between the UK and Iraq in the education sector, and one that has been nurtured over some years. This MOU sets out the basis for great on-going collaboration and look forward to many rewarding initiatives with IBBC and the MoHESR.’

IBBC is also planning an education show in Baghdad next month with UK universities and hosted a reception at University of London for visiting Iraqi universities and ministers with IBBC members.

Prof Al Uzri states ‘IBBCs relationship with MoHESR and the Iraqi educational establishment has been blooming in the last few years, and represents many conferences and initiatives we have jointly developed, not least advising on skills training for business, and now the opportunity for scholarships at UK’s leading universities and a broader understanding and advisory capacity.’