FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas and the University of Kerbala in Kerbala, Iraq, have established a formal agreement of cooperation that is intended to further the academic objectives of each institution.

Moneer Habeeb Tolehphih, chancellor at the University of Kerbala, signed the agreement during a visit to the University of Arkansas and was accompanied by Zuhair Mangoushi, vice chancellor for scientific affairs, Ayyed Almohammed, dean of the veterinary school and professor Tahani Alsandook, cultural attaché for the Iraqi Cultural Office in Washington, D.C.

Under the agreement, the universities will work to develop programs for exchanging academic, research or other educational materials. The agreement also calls for the development of programs for the University of Kerbala to send students to the U of A. Collaborative programs, seminars and research activities will be encouraged and supported under the agreement as well.

Additionally, the universities will explore opportunities for their respective faculty members, visiting student researchers and administrators to be in residence at the other institution for the purposes of lecturing, conducting research and developing their academic or administrative skills.

A total of 31 students from Iraq are enrolled at the U of A for the fall 2014 semester, including 30 on the graduate level who are sponsored by one of three scholarships awarded by the Iraqi government. In addition, there are 17 students enrolled at the Spring International Language Center who will begin their academic program at the U of A once they complete the required English proficiency level. Spring International partners with the university to provide intensive English and cross-cultural education to foreign students. 

The agreement was the result of efforts by Douglas Rhoads, director of the U of A graduate program in cell and molecular biology, and Adnan Al-Rubaye, associate director of the cell and molecular biology program, to increase opportunities for sponsored students from Iraq at U of A.

The initiative was funded by Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and coordinated with Gloria Flores Passmore, director of sponsored student programs, and Lynn Mosesso, director of the office of graduate recruitment and graduate and international admissions.

This visit was part of an overall initiative by the Graduate School and International Education to grow the Iraqi student population at the U of A by attending Education USA Recruitment Fairs in Iraq, working with the Iraqi Cultural Office and attending the U.S.-Iraq Higher Education Conference in Washington.

Al-Rubaye holds two degrees from the University of Baghdad and was the first Iraqi government-sponsored Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research scholar at the U of A. He earned a doctorate in cell and molecular biology and a master’s degree in science education at the U of A in 2013.

“The agreement with the University of Kerbala is great step forward to help the University of Kerbala benefit from the research and academic advancements available at the University of Arkansas,” Al-Rubaye said. “University of Kerbala faculty members and staff are excited to start this collaboration and looking forward to a stronger relationship with our university.”

The University of Kerbala was founded in 2002 and comprises 16 colleges, including a College of Medicine. The public university has grown to an enrollment of 12,000 students, including 2,143 graduate students.