[Plsfaculty] FW: Iraqi Kurdistan scholars

[Brian Larkins]

FYI...................

-----Original Message-----
From: UA Academic Dept & Unit Heads [mailto:HEADS at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU] On
Behalf Of Joe Hiller
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 1:53 PM
To: HEADS at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: Iraqi Kurdistan scholars

Department Heads:
You may be receiving inquiries from students and faculty members from
universities in northern Iraq (Kurdistan).  Several UA departments and
faculty are already receiving requests for short and long term visiting
scholars.  These are legitimate requests; they are likely the result of a
recent trip to the region. Please let us know so we can fully coordinate our
UA response and follow-on actions.  

The University of Arizona has recently entered into and renewed Memoranda of
Agreement with several universities (Sulaimani, Salahaddin, Koya and Dohuk)
and the Ministry of Higher Education of the Kurdish Regional Government
(KRG) in Iraq.  We have had agreements and joint projects with some of these
institutions in the past, and we have been designated as a preferred host
for faculty and students seeking the US academic experience.  

The Ministry has budgeted up to $100 M  per year for four years on an
initiative to send large numbers of faculty and graduate students to
US-based institutions as part of the academic reconstruction effort in
Kurdistan.  They are aggressively trying to place (a) students in
traditional graduate degree programs (b) university faculty for sabbaticals
and (c) "split-site" doctoral work (wherein degrees are awarded by KRG
universities, but some work is completed here).  We anticipate eventual
opportunities for exchange programs and other collaborations as well.  

Visiting scholars and students will need to meet all existing academic and
English language proficiency requirements as well as national security and
visa guidelines.   We may be in contact with you and members of your faculty
to discuss specifics of potential arrangements and agreements.  This is a
university-wide opportunity.

To assist the UA faculty and staff to address the paperwork and procedural
requirements of applicants and host departments we have requested support
from the Ministry of Higher Education to staff a special liaison and
coordinating office within the CALS Office of International Programs.   

For further information or assistance please contact our office (below).  

For information on these universities and the Ministry, see:     Sulaimani
http://www.univsul.org/   Salahaddin   http://www.suh-edu.com/      Koya
http://www.koyauni.ac/   Dohuk   http://www.uod.ac/   Ministry of Higher
Education and Scientific Research (KRG) http://www.mhe-krg.org/ 

Kevin Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., Professor and Director kevfitz at cals.arizona.edu 
Mary Riina, Administration Associate  mriina at email.arizona.edu 
Ahmed Mamood, Ph.D    ameduaz at aol.com 


Joseph G. Hiller, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The University of Arizona
 
520-621-7201       http://ag.arizona.edu/