NISA News

Professor Sabah A. Mushatat Bio

I moved to academia graduating firstly with a Diploma in Architecture before completing his PhD. I has taught architecture for 30 years, overseas and now in the UK as Professor of Architecture at The University of Wolverhampton and Heriot – Watt University, through them I conducted the post of the Head and Director of Schools of Architecture and Design 
Concentrating mainly on the fields of architecture, environmental and sustainable design, construction and architectural education, I have 8 books published, as well 2 textbooks, and about 80 research papers in refereed journals and conferences. 
I have managed several research contracts, and have generated income through the award of research grants and contracts with value £3.3M. I initiated and managed a range of innovative courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These awards are fully accredited by national, regional and international bodies and authorities. 

I have several national and international scientific bodies, such as the United Nations Environment Program UNEP, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO.
He has worked as a consultant for the governments of Holland, Germany, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq I served as a member of seven Editorial Boards of International Journals.
Professor Mushatat is the organiser of the prestigious Ajman International Urban Planning Conference (AIUPC), which is held every year in UAE, also the prestigious Qatar Urbanism Forum in MIPIM (The World’s Leading Real Estate Exhibition and conference), that been held in Palais de Fastivals –Cannes, France.
My published outputs are books (10), Textbooks (2), about more than 100 refereed journal articles and conference papers , Research Reports (12), and National and International presentations (8). Most of my research and publications are on Architecture, Environmental and Sustainable Design, and Construction, management aspects.I have supervised numerous postgraduate dissertations and Doctoral thesis in my field of expertise. I have strong track record of PhD supervision with 18 PhD completions. In addition, I have been invited to examine 6 Masters and 22 PhD dissertations in the UK, Middle East, Asia, Europe and Australia.

Professor Sabah A. Mushatat Bio Read More »

Professor Mohamed Al-Rubeai presents a keynote talk to the 2nd International Conference of the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Baghdad

Professor Al-Rubeai presented a keynote plenary talk entitled “Optimisation Strategies for Large scale production of therapeutic products from mammalian cells” at the 2nd International Conference of the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Baghdad, 15-16 October, 2014. Production of therapeutic biopharmaceuticals has an exciting prospect for Iraq but it will need great infrastructure and availability of high skilled personnel along with a strong scientific community. Professor Al-Rubeai’s research is on optimisation of large scale processes for the production of biopharmaceuticals from mammalian cells.

Professor Mohamed Al-Rubeai presents a keynote talk to the 2nd International Conference of the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Baghdad Read More »

Iraq Education & Technology Summit (IETS) 23-24 February 2013, Hyatt Regency Dubai Hotel, UAE

Day One Report, 23 February 2013

Professor Mohamed Al-Rubeai, Chairman of the Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad (NISA) and Day One Conference Chair

Following registration and morning coffee, the Iraq Education & Technology Summit officially began on Saturday 23rd February with an Opening Ceremony at 8:55am consisting of Mr. Christopher Higgins, CEO of CWI Summits, the Summits’ Conference Chair Professor Mohamed Al-Rubeai, Chairman of the Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad (NISA) and Mr. Jamil Ezzo, Director General  of the ICDL GCC Foundation. Mr. Ezzo began proceedings by stressing the importance of ICT regarding electronic transformation in the education sector; ICDL will aid Iraq in its efforts to keep pace with development. Mr. Ezzo went on to enforce the fact that this Summit should be used as a platform to spring-board developments and thanked the Ministry officials, sponsors and international businesses in attendance for their valuable support. Prof. Al-Rubeai thanked the audience for their commitment to drive education and higher education across Iraq and also thanked CWI Summits for giving NISA the opportunity to Chair such a prestigious event. He went on to give a detailed overview of NISA and emphasised the real opportunity for Iraq to lead education across the Middle East. Prof. Al-Rubeai then went on to introduce the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research ahead of H.E. Minister Ali Al-Adeeb’s Keynote Address. Mr. Higgins brought the Opening Ceremony to a close by sincerely thanking the Summits’ sponsors for their extremely valuable support, the Government of the Republic of Iraq for their faith and commitment to the event and wished everyone involved an enjoyable, productive and fruitful two days.

H.E. Mr. Ali Al-Adeeb, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MoHESR)

Following the Opening Ceremony, H.E. Mr. Ali Al-Adeeb, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MoHESR) gave a Keynote Address where he began by thanking both the Summit organisers and delegates for meeting in Dubai for direct talks with Iraqi officials working in the fields of education, science and technology. H.E. Al-Adeeb stressed the need for private-sector involvement as Iraq looks to keep pace with education and technology developments; the Summit is key to providing this close collaboration and the MoHESR has taken great strides recently to ensure this occurs. H.E. Al-Adeeb sighted the Summit as a huge opportunity for the private-sector representatives to exchange dialogue and more with the key ministry officials in attendance, he wished everyone well for the two days and welcomed open discussions as the best way to move forward.

Mr. Ali Musa’ad Al-Ibrahimi, Deputy Minister of Education (MoE)

Immediately following H.E. Mr. Ali Al-Adeeb, Mr. Ali Musa’ad Al-Ibrahimi, Deputy Minister of Education (MoE) also gave a Keynote Address where he officially welcomed the audience and thanked everyone involved for their unwavering support to further Iraq’s efforts for world leading education and technology. Mr. Al-Ibrahimi gave a brief overview of the Ministry of Education and stressed its importance with over 8 million students relying on Iraq adopting the latest methods of teaching and ICT technologies and sighting this as key to Iraq’s long-term economic stability.

Following these opening addresses, the Summits’ first expert panel got underway. The Overview of Education in Iraq; Vision & Challenges panel was chaired by Mr. Andrew Short, GEMS Education Solutions Director, Middle East and North Africa and consisted of Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Jammas, Director General, Reconstruction & Projects of the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Ms. Reem Al-Bustani, National Program Officer, Higher Education Team of UNESCO – Iraq and Dr. Basima Alwan Hussein, Director of Investment Budget at the Ministry of Education.
Ms. Reem Al-Bustani, National Program Officer, Higher Education Team of UNESCO – Iraq

Dr. Al-Jammas  gave great detail of the development needed across Iraq through 2022 since progress in education is not in keeping with Iraq’s evolving population and worldwide technologies. The Ministries strategy towards development has changed recently i.e. focusing on public-private sector partnerships (PPP’s) with a budget of $10billion set aside to fund a 5 year plan of significant projects that Summit delegates would be first to learn about during the afternoon roundtable meetings. The MoHESR are now adopting international investment laws to ensure that private-sector companies are protected accordingly and the vast business opportunities across the country are fulfilled to absolute potential. Ms. Al-Bustani, on behalf of Ms. Semia Saadaoui, Higher Education Project Manager (sadly unable to attend personally), gave an engaging address on ‘UNESCO’s Support to the Development of Iraq’s Higher Education System’. She gave a detailed overview of UNESCO and how the United Nations organisation has been mandated with higher education for Iraq in-line with its mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development via education and the sciences. UNESCO-Iraq focuses on providing information and capacity to empower stakeholders to make better informed decisions, protect students from inadequate learning resources and low-quality provisions, and promote capacity building at the regional and national levels. Since 2011 there have been huge efforts towards the rehabilitation of Iraq’s Higher Education System via four overarching pillars: quality assurance – management, leadership & governance – scientific research & innovation – virtual learning; these are how the $40.5million support projects are being implemented.

Our opening panel was closed with a brief Question & Answer Session where unstructured queries were taken from the audience and responded to by the expert panellists.

Dr. Brian A. Shott, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy Baghdad
All Summit participants then enjoyed a brief networking refreshment break, providing valuable time for attendees to network with other participants and follow-up with speakers before we moved to our second expert panel of the Summit, entitled Infrastructure & Major Projects which was chaired by Mr. Thanos Blintzios, Managing Director, E. Europe, Middle East, & Africa ofMCGRAW HILL and included Dr. Mohammed Al-Saraj, Director General, Research & Development of the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Dr. Brian A. Shott, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy Baghdad and Dr. Nayef Thamer Hussein, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Education (MoE).
Dr. Nayef Thamer Hussein, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Education (MoE)

Dr. Al-Saraj again stressed the importance of the MoHESR’s project aims to adopt challenging and promising programs & projects for the development of higher education in all aspects of education and research. Such plans are to be divided into three main themes: vertical axis expansion and development of the educational process – encourage the return of competencies and the development & rehabilitation of teaching staffs and employees of the ministry – expand the geographical reach of higher education. Colossal budgets have been set aside for the already discussed PPP’s that are key to Iraq’s long-term education and technology development; projects include health in 2012, scientific institutes in 2013, widespread projects to develop the use of the English language across Iraq’s education system, enhance pupil capabilities within Iraq and ultimately invest Iraq’s own intellectual property in the countries future. Dr. Shott gave details on a project where Iraqis go to the States for 10 weeks, study at university with American students and both parties learn valuable information and lessons from each other. He also presented details of the Linkages project between universities in the States and Iraq partner together and study jointly. They also have education advisers that increase student numbers from abroad in both the States and Iraq, always working to strengthen relations between the two countries; there was a 33% increase of Iraqis studying in the States from 2011-12 to 2012-13. Dr. Shott closed by detailing some of the challenges being faced such as the decentralisation of the U.S. system, administration criteria, standardising test, English language abilities and the inevitable culture shock. Dr. Nayef Thamer Hussein started his address with a passionate and heartfelt message regarding Iraq’s past and highlighting the potential for Iraq’s education, science and technology sectors through events such as this and the much needed PPP’s. Dr. Hussein’s planning department is a recent creation with three previous departments merging and their initial focus is on school buildings and how the many thousands need modernizing & developing; the reconstruction/renovation of some 5500+ school buildings is planned for 2013 alone. The MoE’s planning departments secondary focus will be on e-governance where huge budgets have been set aside for the development of ICT across Iraq’s government ensuring that best-of-breed education and technologies are available to Iraq’s pupils.

The Infrastructure & Major Projects panel was closed with a brief Question & Answer Session where unstructured queries were taken from the audience and responded to by the expert panellists.
Immediately following panel two, we moved directly to the Summit’s third and final expert panel of the opening morning. TheIncreasing ICT Use in Education panel was chaired by Mr. Jamil Ezzo, Director General of the ICDL GCC Foundation and consisted of Dr. Bahaa Kadhum, Director General, Scholarships & Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Mr. Imad Raouf, Director of Research & Industrial Development at the Ministry of Science & Technology and Mr. Kenneth Holland, Dean at the Center for International Development; Ball State University.
Mr. Imad Raouf, Director of Research & Industrial Development at the Ministry of Science & Technology

Dr. Kadhum presented the logical linkages between technology and education; the evolution of ICT and the effect on the education system. He gave details of traditional teaching methods versus extended instructions through the use of technology and Dr. Kadhum played a video of an MIT dean using technology to teach students in a very engaging manner, helping pupils to learn rather than making them listen! Dr. Kadhum highlighted the great need for increased personal computer use across the Middle East and also detailed the large numbers of Iraq government funded scholarships/exchanges showing photos and giving examples where ICT blend is being sought to enhance education. Mr. Imad Raouf of the MoST presented great detail regarding requirements to enhance education through technology for example, improved fibre optics, greater access to public IP addresses etc. Mr. Raouf stressed that pupils will go on and be expected to use high-tech solutions so they must be taught as such, advancing the students and Iraq’s intellectual property accordingly. Mr. Raouf closed by encouraging the audience to learn from the likes of Korea where a centralised department will aid such significant plans for Iraq’s education, science and technology sectors. Mr. Kenneth Holland closed the days final plenary panel by presenting ‘The Potential of Direct Videoconferencing as a Means of Linking Iraqi Universities to the World’ and reiterating the importance of the Linkages project that Dr. Shott had mentioned earlier in the morning and highlighted how Dr. Kadhum is a key contributor to the project’s success. Mr. Holland went on to highlight how video conferencing is creating lasting relationships, providing cheaper teaching and for longer periods however, challenges regarding technology i.e. equipment and reliable bandwidth across Iraq remained and needed to be overcome; “the potential is huge and it can be realised”.

The final expert panel of the Summits’ opening day was also closed with a brief Question & Answer Session where unstructured queries were taken from the audience and responded to by the expert panellists.
Following the morning addresses given throughout the three expert panels, all Summit participants enjoyed a Networking Luncheon in the Focaccia Restaurant providing everyone with more valuable networking time in a relaxed

Public-Private Sector Roundtable Meetings

and enjoyable setting. The first day of the Summit then moved into the first of two afternoon roundtable meeting sessions where private-sector representatives had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the Summits’ official delegation. This hugely productive format saw some 20 roundtables hosted by the official delegation from the MoHESR, MoE and MoST, where Summit delegates were able to discuss in greater detail the business opportunities that suited their organisation and how they would like to aid in the development of education and scientific technology across Iraq. Close to 200 meetings were held across the three hours whilst an extra roundtable was set-up for the Universities (MoHESR) to cater for additional demand from Summit delegates.

Iraq Education & Technology Summit (IETS) 23-24 February 2013, Hyatt Regency Dubai Hotel, UAE Read More »

Visit to the Faculty of Engineering as part of the Quality Assurance Program

خبراء شبكة العلماء العراقيين في الخارج NISA يزورون كلية الهندسة ضمن برنامج ضمان الجودةنحو توجه كلية الهندسة / جامعة بغداد بالتقدم للحصول على الاعتمادية العالمية في تصنيف الدول لتطوير وتحسين جودة واقع التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي للكليات الهندسية الذي تجسدت في اعداد تقارير التقييم الذاتي SAR والخطة الاستيراتيجية للتحسين المستمر Action Plan for Continuous Improvement وفق معايير دولية للجودة تختص بالمتطلبات والاجراءات الخاصة بالبرامج الهندسية، حيث شملت تلك البرامج كل من الاقسام الهندسية ( المعمارية، الميكانيكية، البيئية).
واستكمالا لمراحل متابعة الاجراءت التي تضمنتها فقرات التقارير اعلاه ومن ضمن ماجاء في توصيات ورشة اربيل حزيران 2012 فقد قام فريق المراجعة المكون من جامعات امريكية وبريطانية واسترالية لمنظمة اليونسكو – العراق المكون من شبكة علماء العراق (نيسا) Network Iraqi Scientific Abroad (NISA) التي ضمت الاعضاء كل من:-
د. محمد الربيعي/ اسكتلندا
د. رمزي محمود / الولايات المتحدة الامريكية
د. مثنى الدهان / الولايات المتحدة الامريكية
د. صباح جاسم / المملكة المتحدة
د. رياض المهيدي / استراليا
د. صادق نصر الله / خبير ( اليونسكو)
باجراء زيارة ميدانية يوم الاحد المصادف 2/12 للكلية واقسامها الهندسية (الميكانيك، المعماري، البيئة) الداخلة في برنامج اليونسكو وحسب الجدول المعد، حيث بدات الزيارة بلقاء موسع مع السيد العميد الاستاذ الدكتور قاسم محمد دوس ورؤساء الاقسام الثلاثة المعنية بالبرنامج كل من الاستاذ المساعد الدكتور سعد المشاط والاستاذ المساعد الدكتورة ياسمين والاستاذ المساعد الدكتورة صبا ومديرة شعبة الجودة والاداء الجامعي المدرس الست ايمان قاسم واعضاء فريق كتابة تقرير التقييم الذاتي والخطة الاستيراتيجية كل من الاستاذ الدكتور احسان يحيى والاستاذ المساعد الدكتورة شهلاء اسماعيل، وتركز اللقاء على التعرف على الكثير من الفقرات والتساؤلات والامور المتعلقة بالعملية التعليمية والاكاديمية في الكلية التي اجاب عليها السيد العميد واعطى عنها الصورة الواضحة وفق المعايير التي وردت من خلال كتابة تقرير التقييم الذاتي . بعد ذلك قام الفريق بلقاء اخر وموسع شمل مسؤولة شعبة الجودة في العمادة ومسؤولي لجان الجودة واللجان الاخرى المختلفة للاقسام الثلاثة اعلاه. حيث تناول اللقاء على الاطلاع من خلال توجيه تساؤلات حول سير العملية التعليمية ومدى توافقها مع الية عمل اللجان وتوفير متطلبات ومستلزمات التحسين المستمر في فقرات العملية التي تشمل ( الطلبة, الهيئة التدريسية, المناهج, الخدمات …الخ ) ومدى تناسق اهداف العملية مع المخرجات. كذلك شمل اللقاء مجموعة من التدريسيين بصورة منفردة ومجموعة من الطلبة وعلى مختلف المستويات من طلبة دراسات عليا وطلبة دراسات اولية.
تخللت الزيارة استراحة بعد ذلك قام الفريق بجولة ميدانية وفق جدول معد للاطلاع عن كثب على سير العملية في الاقسام الهندسية الثلاث بداءا بقسم الهندسة المعمارية وانتهاءا بقسم الهندسة الميكانيكية. اطلع الفريق على الفقرات التالية من الوثائق:-
الاستبانات وشملت: الطلبة, التدريسيين, تحليل نتائج المسوحات.
خطة عمل القسم.
الاحصائيات وشملت:الدراسات الاولية والعليا, تصنيفات الدرجة, خطة القبول, معدلات التقدم والانجاز.
بيانات البرنامج وشملت: توصيف المناهج, الكتب المنهجية والنشرات والملزمات, مشاريع الطلبة, التقارير المختبرية, عينة من الاسئلة والاوراق الامتحانية.
بيانات القسم وشملت: استراتيجية البحث, الهيكل التنظيمي, اعمال اللجان, الميزانية
كانت من ضمن مهام الفريق زيارة المختبرات, غرف العمل, والقاعات الدراسية, المكتبات, مجانية التعليم, وغيرها من المرافق.
استمرت الزيارة الى ساعات متاخرة من النهار والتي انتهت باجتماع نوقش فيه ما سيتم رفعه من نتائج وتوصيات للعمل بها في المرحلة اللاحقة. كذلك ابدى اعضاء الفريق كل على حدة ملاحظاته وانطباعه الطيب
د. محمد الربيعي: وجه بالشكر على الجهود المتميزة التي بذلت نحو تحقيق الجودة ولو كانت بدرجات متفاوتة وحسب ما توفر من قدرات وامكانيات استطاعت الكلية وبفترة زمنية قصيرة ان تلبي الكثير من متطلبات التقدم للوصول الى الاعتمادية الدولية ووجود الاندفاع والاخلاص لدى الاستاذ العراقي لبذل الجهود والتغلب على الصعوبات للوصول الى مصاف الجامعات الاجنبية.
د. رمزي محمود: ابدى بوجود الاساس والارادة للوصول لكن العملية تحتاج الى مزيد من الوقت من اجل اعداد وانجاز تقييم مخرجات العملية التعليمية.
د.صباح جاسم: ابدى فرحه على الرغم من صعوبة السفر ومجيئ الخبراء من جامعات عالمية مختلفة وبعد المسافات الا انهم ماشاهدوه واطلعوا عليه من خلال الزيارة ليس ماكان يصور وينقل مايغاير الحقيقة التي اثبتت مدى الاخذ بنظر الاعتبار وجود متطلبات الاعتمادية ABET وما تتطلبه من وثائق وحقائق.
د. رياض المهيدي: ابدى اعجابه بالكادر الاكاديمي ومدى اندفاعهم وبدرجة عالية من الاخلاص الامر الذي يعطي الامل بالخير بان تكون كلية الهندسة / جامعة بغداد الكلية الرائدة على الرغم من بعض الصعوبات الموجودة ضمن الامكانات القليلة والمحددات للفترة السابقة.
د. مثنى الدهان: اكد على ضرورة الاهتمام باتجاه تطوير الكوادر التدريسية من خلال ارسالهم بالتدريب والاحتكاك مع الجامعات العالمية وحضور المؤتمرات والندوات العلمية والهندسية وابداء الدعم والامكانيات التي تساهم في تلك الانشطة
د. صادق نصر الله: بين اعجابه الكبير بالطلبة واكد على ضرورة الرعاية والاهتمام بتوجهاتهم وافكارهم حيث لايزال الطالب العراقي هو العنصر الفعال والبارز نسبة الى الجامعات الاخرى على النطاق العربي والاقليمي.

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Visit to the Faculty of Engineering as part of the Quality Assurance Program Read More »

Iraqi Immigration Ministry Stockholm Talk

Professor Nadir Ahmed was invited by the Iraqi Immigration Ministry to present a talk at its second conference which was held in Stockholm in early December 2011. The ministry is planing a strategy for distance investment in Iraqi Brains as consultants, on short term employment as advisers. The ministry is also planning to open offices within Iraqi Embassies and is developing a programme to offer employment for scientists wishing to return to Iraq with the collaboration of the Ministry of Higher Education.

(Missing stokholme_conference.pdf PDF)Professor Nadir Ahmed was invited by the Iraqi Immigration Ministry to present a talk at its second conference which was held in Stockholm in early December 2011. The ministry is planing a strategy for distance investment in Iraqi Brains as consultants, on short term employment as advisers. The ministry is also planning to open offices within Iraqi Embassies and is developing a programme to offer employment for scientists wishing to return to Iraq with the collaboration of the Ministry of Higher Education.

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Iraqi Immigration Ministry Stockholm Talk Read More »