Iraq

Iraq in a nutshell

Source : http://www.cia.gov

Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert.

Iraq shares borders with Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, and Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south. Iraq has a narrow section of coastline measuring 58 km (35 miles) between Umm Qasr and Al Faw on the Persian Gulf. The capital city, Baghdad, is in the center-east of the country.

Two major flowing rivers: the Tigris and Euphrates run through the centre of Iraq from north to south. These provide Iraq with agriculturally capable land and contrast with the steppe and desert landscape that covers most of Western Asia.

Historically, Iraq was known in Europe by the Greek exonym 'Mesopotamia' (Land between the rivers); after the foundation of the Kingdom of Iraq in 1932, it became known by its ancient endonym 'Iraq'. Iraq has been home to continuous successive civilizations since the 6th millennium BC. The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is identified as the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of writing and the wheel.

Throughout its long history, Iraq has been the center of the Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Hellenistic, Parthian, Sassanid and Abbasid empires, and part of the Achaemenid, Roman, Rashidun, Umayyad, Mongol, Ottoman and British empires.

Beginning with the invasion in 2003, a multinational coalition of forces, mainly American and British, occupied Iraq.

The occupation ended when sovereignty was transferred to the Iraqi Interim Government June 2004. A new Constitution of Iraq has since been approved by referendum and a new Government of Iraq has been elected. Some dispute whether Iraq is de facto sovereign (see Iraqi sovereignty, United States-Iraq relations).

In 2008, the Failed States Index, Iraq was the world's fifth most politically unstable country. Iraq is developing a parliamentary democracy composed of 18 governorates (known as muhafadhat).

Iraq education policy

Education in Iraq is administered by the Ministry of Education.

UNESCO reports that prior to the first Gulf War in 1991 Iraq had one of the best educational performances in the region. Primary school Gross Enrollment Rate was 100% and literacy levels were high. Since that time education has suffered as a result of war, sanctions, and instability.

Iraq established its education system in 1921, offering both public and private paths. In the early 1970s, education became public and free at all levels, and mandatory at the primary level. Two ministries manage the education system in Iraq: the Ministry of Education [MOE] and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research [MOHSR]. The Ministry of Education is in charge of pre-school, primary, secondary, and vocational education, while the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research [MOHSR] is in charge of tertiary education and research centers.

The Golden Years: 1970-1984 Iraq’s education system was one of the best in the region during this period of time, and highly praised throughout. By 1984, major accomplishments had been achieved, which include but are not limited to:

• Gross Enrollment Rates rising over 100%
• Almost complete gender parity in enrollment
• Illiteracy among 15-45 age group declined to less than 10%
• Dropout/Repetition rates were the lowest in the Middle East and North Africa [MENA] region
• Spending in Education reached 6% of Gross National Product [GNP] and 20% of Iraq’s total government budget
• The average government spending per student for education was ~$620

The Decline Years: 1984-1989 The 1980s brought about the war with Iran, which in turn led to a diversion of public resources towards military spending. Naturally, this resulted in a steep decline in overall social spending. With this, the education budget suffered from a deficit, which continued to grow as the years passed. There was also no strategic plan in place to address these issues at the time.

The Crisis Years: 1990-2003 Moreover, the 1990s brought about the first Gulf War and economic sanctions, which caused Iraq’s educational institutions to debilitate further. Some of the outcomes of the weakening system included but are not limited to:

• The share of education in the Gross National Product [GNP] dropped to almost half, resting at 3.3% in 2003
• As Gross Income declined, resources for education suffered
• Education came to assume only 8% of the total government budget
• Government Spending per student on education dropped from $620 in the ‘Golden Years’ to $47
• Teacher salaries dropped in real terms, from $500–1000/month to $5/month in 2002-2003
• Gross Enrollment in primary schooling dropped to 90%
• The gender gap increased [95% Male, 80% Female]
• The dropout rate reached 20% [31%Female, 18%Male]
• The repetition rate reached a figure that is double that of the MENA region, 15%, and 34% for secondary schools

Higher education

Universities in Iraq

List found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Iraq

Baghdad

1. University of Baghdad
2. Al-Mustansiriya University
3. Al-Nahrain University
4. The Islamic University, Baghdad
5. University of Technology, Iraq
6. Nizamiyyah (No Longer Exists)
7. Al-Hikma University (Baghdad) (No Longer Exists)

Outside Baghdad

1. University of Basrah in (Basrah)
2. University of Mosul in (Mosul)
3. Karbala University in (Karbala)
4. Kufa University in (Najaf)
5. Thi Qar University in (Dhi Qar)
6. Misan University in ( Misan)
7. Tikrit University in (Salah ad Din )
8. Babylon University in (Babil)
9. Diyala University in (Diyala)
10. University of Anbar in (Anbar)
11. Al Qadissiya University in (Al-Qādisiyyah)
12. Wassit University in (Wasit)
13. Al Muthana University in (Al Muthanna)
14. Kirkuk University in (Kirkuk)

Kurdistan Region

1. Salahaddin University in (Arbil)
2. University of Sulaimani in (Sulaimani)
3. University of Dohuk in (Dohuk)
4. University of Koya in (Arbil)
5. Hewler Medical University in (Arbil)
6. Ishk University in (Arbil)
7. Jihan University in (Arbil)
8. University of Technology in (Sulaimani)
9. University of Kurdistan (Iraq) in (Arbil)

private university|Private Universities

1. Ahlulbait University College
2. Al Rafidain University College
3. Al Turath University College
4. Al Mansour University College
5. Al Maarif University College
6. Al Hadbaa University College
7. Al Rasheed University College
8. Al Yarmouk University College
9. American University of Iraq - Sulaimani
10. Baghdad College of Economic Sciences University
11. Baghdad College of Pharmacy
12. Business & Management University
13. Dijla University College
14. Humanitarian Studies University College
15. Islamic University College
16. Madenat Alelem University College
17. Mamon University College
18. Shat Al Arab University College
19. Sheikh Mohammed Al Kasinzan University College
20. Sheikh Tusi University College

References

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