FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Adnan Ali Khalaf Al-Rubaye, associate director of the graduate program in cell and molecular biology program at the University of Arkansas, recently returned from giving a series of lectures at three universities in Iraq.

Al-Rubaye gave talks at the the universities of of Karbala, Wasit and Basrah. He was invited by Moneer Habeeb Tolehphih, chancellor at the University of Karbala, to strengthen the relationship between Iraqi universities and the University of Arkansas.

Tolehphih signed a memorandum of understanding with the U of A in fall 2014, which calls for the universities to explore opportunities for their faculty members, visiting student researchers and administrators to be in residence at the other institution for the purposes of lecturing, conducting research and developing academic or administrative skills.

Collaborative programs, seminars and research activities are encouraged and supported under the agreement, as well. The agreement also encourages the development of programs for exchanging academic, research or other educational materials.

“I am so glad and honored to have been invited to visit the University of Karbala,” Al-Rubaye said. “My visit was very successful in helping Iraqi faculty and students learn about contemporary teaching and research methodologies used at the University of Arkansas.”

A total of 31 students from Iraq were enrolled at the U of A in the fall 2014 semester, including 30 on the graduate level who were sponsored by one of three scholarships awarded by the Iraqi government. In addition, 17 students spent the fall 2014 semester at the Spring International Language Center and 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. 

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 University of Karbala 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.

Al-Rubaye’s trip was funded by the Office of Sponsored Student Programs within the Graduate School and International Education.