Study abroad director works on Iraqi education effort

Tue, January 27, 2009 |

Valparaiso University is supporting an ambitious attempt by Iraq to help thousands of its citizens earn college degrees and rebuild the nation's educational system, following participation by the director of its study abroad programs in ceremonies launching the Iraq Education Initiative.

Valpo was one of 18 institutions of higher education with representatives participating in the first delegation of American higher education officials to travel to Iraq in decades for a series of activities taking place Jan. 19 to 22.

Julie Maddox, director of Valpo's study abroad programs, said the initiative's pilot program aims to send 500 Iraq students abroad next fall using revenue from the country's oil sales. Following the pilot program, the Iraqi government then hopes to provide scholarships that will send as many as 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students abroad each of the next five years.

"One of the key aspects of this program is that it's something the nation of Iraq is starting on its own initiative because the leaders understand the importance of education in rebuilding their country," Maddox said. "Partnering with Iraq in this project also supports Valpo's commitment to international education and service."

During her trip to Iraq, Maddox met with a number Iraqi government and education officials including Dr. Zuhair A.G. Humadi, the executive director of the initiative, and participated in college fairs in Baghdad and Kurdistan that were attended by several hundred Iraqi students interested in studying overseas.

"Before Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraq had one of the best education systems in the Middle East," Maddox said. "Over the past 25 years that system has been neglected, but Valpo and other institutions here in the United States can help rebuild Iraq's intellectual capital."

Maddox said there was considerable discussion of how to help Iraqi students make the transition from Iraq's education system – which is more similar to those of European nations– into an American higher education setting. She noted that while many Iraqi students who would come to the U.S. possess strong math and science skills, they may need help boosting their language skills.

"One of the biggest selling points of Valpo is that we have the Interlink program on campus, which offers intensive English language instruction," Maddox said. "Students who may be nervous about their English language skills can come here and work on those skills and gain a greater comfort level living in an American community before they begin their other courses."

She also noted Valpo's extensive experience in international education. Last year, that experience was recognized when Valpo was named a winner of the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, and in the as fall the University set a record for international student enrollment, with 245 students from 50 countries in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Maddox said a second meeting of American university representatives and Iraqi officials will take place later this semester to continue work on the initiative. She said Valpo will help review the applications of Iraqi students who receive the government scholarships and expects the campus will welcome a number of those students next fall.

Approximately 70 percent of the Iraqi students sent abroad are expected to be undergraduate students, and approximately 70 percent of all students are expected to attend U.S. institutions of higher education. Iraqi students who receive scholarships to study at Valpo and other universities will be required to return to their homeland after graduation in order to help rebuild their country, Maddox said.

"The Iraqi government has an interest in students studying a variety a subjects, but certainly science and technical fields are a high priority," Maddox said. "With the outstanding reputation of our College of Engineering, that's something that will be very attractive to many of these students."