Review - UNESCO · 2015-03-31 · review has capitalized on initial data gathered and compiled by...

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Reviewof Scientific Researchin Iraq

Published in 2013 by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Field Office for Iraq in Amman9, Yacoub Ammari St. Abdoun, P.O Box 2270 - Amman 11181 Jordan

© UNESCO, 2013All rights reserved

The Authors are responsible for the presentations of facts contained in this report, for the opinions expressed therein, which are necessarily which are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization.The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area to its authorities or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

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Despite an illustrious past in science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, the Arab countries have for several centuries been confined to the sidelines. Steps have been taken towards modernity over the past decades, ensuring that numerous innovations, in many walks of life are available to increasing segments of their populations. Yet, reliance on outside sources for such inputs is without parallel throughout the world, particularly, when the Arab countries’ income levels are taken into account.Scientific research carried out at many universities in the region has been scanty, producing little impact on national socioeconomic development, let alone significantly advancing human knowledge. Several reasons may be quoted in explaining this state of affairs. However, the most enduring and damaging are those related to failed policies, inadequate legislative and institutional arrangements as well as poor governance practices.Policies devised to enhance scientific research activity and its contributions to socioeconomic development have mostly failed in creating essential links between supply and demand and in securing sufficient resources, in terms of manpower and funding. Legislative instruments are invariably antagonistic rather than supportive of scientific research technology development and risk taking innovative enterprise. Institutional arrangements suffer the joint impact of antiquated structures as well as lack of bridging and networking schemes. Research governance regimes throughout the Arab countries have also failed on many fronts. While some failur es may indeed be linked to poorly crafted legislation and ill-conceived regulatory tools, a good deal of the blame must rest with pervasive mediocrity and absence of accountability in decision making circles at all levels.Iraq has not been an exception to any of the above. Thus, while it did sport a number of higher education and scientific institutions, even before its independence, in 1932, very few of the activities undertaken by these institutions could count as pioneering in any sense of the word. In common with other Arab countries, their most prominent successes were in securing the flow of trained manpower; scientists and engineers who would largely become involved in running agricultural, industrial and service facilities equipped with the fruits of scientific research carried out in, developed, and more recently even in some developing, countries. High-quality education had to be sought abroad and excellence that now characterises higher education institutions in some developing countries, some far less endowed than Iraq, was never even targeted, let alone achieved, by national development policies. Nevertheless, with Iraq now slowly emerging from one of the darker periods in its history, it is time to take stock of educational and research institutions, their activities and potential contributions to future development as well as pave the way towards establishing much needed novel institutional forms to promote innovation across production and services sectors. The present report is one among several others prepared by the UNESCO Iraq Office with the intention of placing Iraq on a path towards knowledge-based development. It is to be followed by another closely related report addressing a roadmap for future action aimed at revitalising Iraq’s science, technology and innovation landscapes. In seeking this objective, greater self-reliance, coupled to intensive cooperation and networking at the national, regional and broader international levels, with the singular aim of generating requisite STI inputs, will be essential ingredients for future success.

Foreword

The preparation of this review report on the status of scientific research in Iraq comes within the framework of the “Rehabilitation of Iraq’s Higher Education System” project funded by the Office of Her Highness Sheikh Moza, first Lady of Qatar in the scope of “Supporting the Iraqi education system” initiative.

The inception, development and production of this report was facilitated by Higher Education sector at UNESCO Office for Iraq and supported by more than 30 professionals belonging to organizations and institutions in the scientific, public, governmental and non-governmental sectors. Without their voluntary generosity, commitment and support, this report would have never been possible to realize.

The report greatly benefited from the committed and qualified efforts of Dr. Omar Bizri to whom we extend our initial acknowledgements. The work on this review has capitalized on initial data gathered and compiled by Science Sector with the support of Casey Walther and Christopher Maroshegyi. It has been thoroughly completed and enriched by a survey realized through questionnaires addressed to 91 research centers and units inside Iraq and analyzed based on their responses and the fruitful discussions that took place with main Iraqi stakeholders in the Ministry of Higher education and Scientific Research and their direct national counterparts .

Acknowledgments are extended to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Baghdad, with special thanks to Dr. Mohammed Atiya al-Sarrag, Director General for Research and Development who greatly contributed to the provision of specific data and the engagement of the involved partners from Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry, respectively represented by Dr. Nawal Abbas Mahdi Al-Baghdadi, Dr. Dhia’a Mohamed Al-Mulawi, Dr. Zuhair Mahmood Al-Kazaz.

Our acknowledgments also go to Dr. Najdat Aqrawi, Director General of Research and Development of Kurdistan Regional Government, who spared no effort gathering Kurdish main stakeholders and providing valuable details and documents.

Moreover, we extend our thanks to Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Hashim from Baghdad university- Member of ISRC, Dr. Qasim Mohammed Al-Attaby Al-Doss, Dean of the College of Engineering, Baghdad University, Dr. Abed Salih Fayyadh, Director of Desert Research Center, Anbar University, Dr. Kadhim Jassim Hamadi, Director of Palm Trees Research Center, Basrah University, Dr. Ibrahim Khalil Allaf, Director of Regional Studies Center, University of Mosul, Dr. Suadah Khadhim Mohammed Ali, Manager and Coordinator at the Department of Research & Development, MoHESR, Ms. Salwa Ibrahim Ismail, Director of

Acknow

ledgements

General/Higher Education Policy- Ministry of Planning, Dr. Mohammed Saber Mustafa, Director General of Standard Planning, MoHESR Kurdistan, Dr. Dara Jaff, Director General of Research and Development at Salahaddin University, Dr. Polla Azad Abdullah Khanaqa, Head of the Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research, D. Jaladat Mohammed Saleh Al-Sofi from University of Duhok.

Our acknowledgements and gratitude go also to the six experts from the Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad (NISA) namely, Prof. Mohamed Al-Rubeai from UCD Ireland, Prof. Sabah Jassim from Buckingham University, United Kingdom Prof. Riadh Al-Mahaidi from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia), Prof. Ramzi Mahmood from California State University, USA, Prof. Bayan Sharif from University of Newcastle, and Prof. Munira Al-Kadhim from Oxford Brooks.

We also thank, for their continued efforts and dedication, our Education program and administration team within UNESCO Iraq Office, namely Reem Al-Bustani, National Program Officer, Ula Nasrallah, Rand Abdulbaqi and Lana Ma’ayeh.

Semia Ben Ali SaadaouiSenior Project Manager

Higher Education

This report is intended to provide an up-to-date characterisation of the status of scientific research in Iraq. Issues including policy and institutional frameworks, legislative and regulatory arrangements, manpower and funding resources, priority disciplines and application areas are addressed in the following pages.

An earlier version of the present report was discussed at a meeting organised by the UNESCO Iraq Office in Amman attended by experts and decision makers drawn from concerned ministries, major academic institutions and research centres. The meeting took place during 27th and 28th September, 2011, resulting in fresh information and a number of recommendations which have now been included in this final version of the review report.

Scientific research is generally undertaken in the service of economic development, to protect the environment, bolster productivity and enhance social services. Hence, the first chapter of the report takes a look at socioeconomic development issues in Iraq, as well as the country’s foreseeable future from a few salient perspectives. The second chapter of the report provides a brief overview of the status of policies, legislative and regulatory arrangements and institutional settings with impact on the national scientific research scene in Iraq.

Chapter three attempts a concise evaluation of scientific research activities in Iraq. Following a brief introductory section and a second section on scientific research institutions and research governance, section 3 in this chapter takes a close look at the results of the recent questionnaire survey undertaken by the UNESCO Iraq Office during July-August 2011, targeting research centres and units in Iraq, from a variety of perspectives, including manpower and financial resources, research outcomes as well as perceived obstacles that hinder their operations.

Section 4 in chapter three discusses research priorities in Iraq and neighbouring countries, while section five addresses issues pertaining to research output in the region as well as regional research cooperation. These two sections were included since the intended Roadmap would need to reach out to regional partners, firstly during initial phases of action aimed a rebuilding Iraq’s scientific research capabilities, and then with view to the creation of effective collaborative networks and cooperation modalities, based on common and complementary development priorities.

Preface

A good deal of the material presented in this central chapter is based on the questionnaire survey. The results of the survey served as basis for intensive discussions of the above-mentioned September meeting. Hence, section six of chapter three is dedicated to a concise summary of discussions undertaken, as well as conclusions reached and recommendations made at this meeting. The final section of chapter three is dedicated to a summary account of challenges and opportunities facing rehabilitation of scientific research in Iraq. Major difficulties are briefly addressed, including the need to arrive at a common vision that may readily be translated into tangible and measurable objectives within acceptable timeframes. This final section also includes questions to be raised during the follow-up meeting to discuss a proposed Roadmap designed as basis for radically improving Iraq’s science, technology and innovation capabilities by the year 2020.Five appendices are attached to chapter three. In the first, attention is drawn to inadequate use of the Web by Iraq’s research institutions, both as means of promoting their research mission and publicising their contributions and as a platform to promote cooperation with other research institutions and end-user institutions. The second appendix highlights salient features of research cooperation in the region, summarising essential patterns which may be utilised or emulated in the process of rehabilitation of national research capabilities. The third appendix includes tables summarising past and ongoing research cooperation with Iraqi universities, government ministries/departments and international partners. The final appendix presents a list of recommendations made at the UNESCO/Iraq meeting convened in Beirut during 12th - 14th December to discuss the Roadmap for science, technology and innovation in Iraq with a number of recommendations emphasising conclusions reached at the earlier meeting in September. With view to setting the scene for future regional research cooperation in the region, the fifth appendix presents in tabular form, information on the global share of research output for the five most research-prolific countries in the Middle East.

Optimal utilisation of scientific research and innovation requires solid capabilities in higher education as well as viable information and communication technology infrastructures and facilities. The fourth chapter in this review report is, therefore, dedicated to reviewing the status of information and communication technology in Iraq, while the fifth and last chapter examines salient features in the country’s higher education system.

A final chapter sketches the main features of a roadmap for the future with conclusions and a summary of recommendations emphasising the results of the analysis of obstacles met by research institutions in the conduct of their activities. Issues pertaining to national policy setting and expenditure are also discussed in this final chapter.

Two annexes are dedicated to the questionnaire survey. The first includes a blank questionnaire form used in collecting responses by research centres and units, while the second annex includes tables summarising responses received from research institutions.

Review of Scientific Research in Iraq

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Table of contents

Page

Chapter One Socioeconomic, Legislative and Institutional Aspects 11

Chapter Two Human Capital Formation for Scientific Research 23

Chapter Three Information and Communications Technologies in Iraq 33

Chapter Four Iraq’s research Centres and their Activities 87

Chapter FiveScientific Research Policies, Legislative and Regulatory Arrangements and Institutional Setting

101

Chapter Six Towards a Better Future for Science, Technology and Innovation in Iraq 115

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AbbreviationsAIA Association of Iraqi Academics

ALECSO Arab League Education, Culture and Science Organisation AVCST Avicenna Virtual Campus for Science and Technology

b. BillionCGE Core Group of ExpertsCoEs centres of excellence

EIS enterprise incubation schemes FDI foreign direct investment

GCEI General Company for Electronic Industries GCIS General Company for Information SystemsGDP gross domestic product GIS Global information system

CNAP Cisco Networking Academies Program ICARDA International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas

ICCI Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics ICT Information and communications technology

ICDL International Computer Driving LicenceID Iraqi Dinar

IDRC International Development Research Centre INAP Iraqi Networking Academies Project

IP Internet ProviderITPC Iraq Telecommunications and Post Company

ISTIC Iraq’s science, technology and innovation Commission IVSL Iraq’s Virtual Science Library

HCDP Human Capacity Development ProgramKRG Kurdistan Regional Government LAN local area networkLNA local networking academy

m. MillionCCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate Cisco CCNP Certified Network Professional CMC Communications and Media CommissionMoC Ministry of Communications

MoHESR Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research MoHESR/Baghdad Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad MoHESR/Kurdistan Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Kurdistan

MoPID Ministry of Planning and International DevelopmentMoST Ministry of Science and Technology

MTCC Multipurpose Technology Community Centres NCC National Computer CentreNISA Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad

PC Personal computerPMO Project Management OfficePTT post, telecommunications and telegraphyR&D Research and developmentRCI Relative Citation Impact

RNA Regional networking academySUH Salahuddine University (Hewler)S&T Science and Technology

SMEs small and medium enterprises SRC Scientific Research CouncilSTI science, technology and innovation

SSR strategy for scientific research SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation AgencyITPC Iraq’s Telecommunications and Post Company

UNAMI United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq UNDG-ITF United Nations Development Group’s Iraq Trust Fund

UN-ESCWA United Nations Commission for Economic and Social Development in Western AsiaUNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

UNESCO/Iraq UNESCO Iraq Office in Amman UNU United Nations University US$ United States Dollars


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Abbreviations used in reference to principal documents quoted in this review report

UNESCO 2004 “Iraq Education in Transition: Needs and Challenges;” Published by UNESCO, Paris in , 2004.

MoHESR/Kurdistan 2011

Document provided by Dr. B. Khailany, 30 May 2011; titled “نحو استرتيجية للبحث .”العلمي

UNESCO 2010 “Modernization of the Education Sector in Iraq; Rapid Assessment of the Management of the Education System.” Prepared by Ramzi Salamé for the UNESCO Office for Iraq. Report dated November 2010.

MoHESR/ Kurdistan 2010

“A Roadmap to Quality: Reforming the System of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.” Issued by H. E. Mr. Dlawer A. Ala’Aldeen. Kurdistan, Iraq; 2010.

AHDR 2009 The Arab Human Development Report, 2009.

UN-ESCWA 2007 “Regional Profile of the Information Society in Western Asia.” United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, 2007

Thomson Reuters 2011

“Global Research Report, Exploring the Changing Landscape of Arabian, Persian and Turkish Research.” J. Adams et al.; February 2011. Thomson Reuters Science. ISBN: 1–904431–27–5.

UN-ESCWA 2009 “Regional Profile of the Information Society in Western Asia. New York: United Nations.

Chapter One

Status and future perspectives


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Chapter OneSocioeconomic, Legislative and Institutional Aspects

Table of contents Chapter One; Socioeconomic, Legislative and Institutional Aspects

I. 1. Introduction 13

I. 2. Socioeconomic Development in Iraq; Status and Future Needs 13

I. 2. 1. Iraq’s population 14

I. 2. 2. Economic environment 14

II. 2. 3. Public Expenditure 15

II. 2. 4. Unemployment in Iraq 17

I. 3. Enabling Environment for Scientific Research in Iraq 17

I. 4. Concluding remarks 17

Appendix I 18

List of tables

I-1 Iraq’s basic demographic indicators 14

A-I.1 Demographic trends for Arab and selected neighbouring countries 18

A-I.2 Data on employment for Arab and selected neighbouring countries 19

A-I.3 Public Expenditure in Iraq and the Arab countries 20

A-I.4Enabling environment: Tax revenues, capital formation, foreign direct investment, development assistance and remittances in Iraq and the Arab countries

21

A-I.5The Economy; Physical and Media infrastructures in Arab and selected neighbouring countries

22

List of frames

I-1 List of issues / questions for future discussion 13

I-2 Economic Growth and political developments; status and prospects for the near-future 16

List of figures

I-1 Gross domestic product for selected Arab and neighbouring countries 15

I-2 Gross domestic product per capita in selected Arab and neighbouring countries 15

I-3 Gross domestic product growth rates in selected Arab and neighbouring countries 15

I-4 Main sources of Iraqi imports 15

I-5 Main destinations of Iraqi exports 15

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I. 1. Introduction

As indicated earlier, the intention of the present document is to look into scientific research activity in Iraq, with view to the formulation of an effective roadmap, ensuring that the country move forward on a path of self-sustained and comprehensive development following too many years of tyranny, wars and internal conflict. Frame (I-1) poses questions that need to be answered in the quest for a better understanding of the status of scientific research in Iraq. Many of the questions listed in this frame have had to be considered by other developing countries seeking to revamp their scientific research systems. In essence, those, and other related, questions will need to be answered with one main objective in mind; namely the formulation of a roadmap for the rehabilitation of the country’s scientific research so that it may fully contribute to overall socioeconomic development and the welfare of all Iraqis.

Answering some of the questions posed in the adjoining frame, and pondering other equally important issues relating to rehabilitation of Iraq’s national S&T system is hampered by the lack of relevant and reliable information on the status quo as well as hard facts concerning policy initiatives. This shortcoming is shared by many other developing countries of the region, indicating a most urgent need for a national institution that could be entrusted with monitoring the national research scene as well as relevant policy decisions on the basis of criteria that are primarily relevant to national development

goals.1 Thus, despite efforts put into revitalising and restructuring concerned national bodies, there is, as yet, no single entity that may be resorted to; with regard to information on the range of the country’s S&T needs, and obstacles encountered in addressing them. This must surely be one of the first priorities to tackle in the immediate future.

I. 2. Socioeconomic Development in Iraq; Status and Future Needs

Due to its considerable human as well as natural resources as well as its strategic position, Iraq has always played a significant role on the regional and the global stage, from both political and economic perspectives. For several decades during the twentieth century Iraq could claim a position at the forefront of other Arab countries in a variety of domains, particularly in terms of its educated manpower, its universities and

1 For a variety of reasons there is acute lack of information on almost all aspects of science, technology and innovation throughout the region.

Chapter One

Frame (I-1); List of issues / questions for future discussion

What scientific research is being carried out in Iraq?

With what objectives? ◊ Manpower training? ◊ Promotion and employment opportunities? ◊ Support for sustainable development? Solve problems in

particular priority areas? ◊ Serve public and private enterprise? Institutional/national

prestige?

Where is scientific research currently being conducted? How effective are efforts being made? And, do they compare well with expectations, requirements, …?

What are the main obstacles that face scientific research in Iraq? And how might the most pressing needs for rehabilitation of Iraq’s scientific research system be met?


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government institutions. Decades of intense strife and turmoil in the latter part of that century brought about an abrupt, even catastrophic, reversal of the country’s fortunes. The economy was shattered and social services came to a near standstill in many of its parts.While it may confidently be said that the Iraq is slowly recovering, its troubles are far from over. National institutions are still to regain a semblance of their former capabilities, while Iraqi firms currently suffer high production costs coupled to low productivity. Unemployment is rife with attendant poverty and social problems in almost all parts of the Country.

As this survey intends to show, indeed as should be clear to almost anyone following news from and about Iraq, enormous challenges face the country at many fronts. Thus, at the root of political wrangling, apparent as well as hidden schisms lie socioeconomic issues in need of much greater attention and creativity.Iraq is in many ways a rich country. In terms of its resources, its people and their heritage Iraq could quite easily become one of the more developed countries in the region, in terms of scientific and technological capabilities. The following paragraphs provide an overview of salient socioeconomic indicators.

I. 2. 1. Iraq’s population

Table (I-1) presents a view of Iraq’s principal demographic indicators, while table (A-I.1) in the appendix to this chapter presents values of the same indicators for a group of Arab countries as well as the world at large.

With a median age of around 19, Iraq has one of the most youthful populations among the Arab countries and a dependency ratio of over 78, which is among the highest. At 3.7, Iraq’s total fertility rate is also quite high compared to other Arab and, indeed, to other developing, countries around the world. It is noteworthy that the average fertility rate for the period 2010-2015 in the Arab countries is around 2.6 and that for the entire world stands at 2.3.

I. 2. 2. Economic environment

The adjoining figures include recent data on Iraq’s GDP, GDP per capita as well as GDP growth2. Figure (I-1) indicates that the country’s GDP was estimated at around US$100 billion. As indicated by figure (I-2), GDP per capita in Iraq is on the low side of the range for all Arab countries. On the other hand, Iraq’s GDP growth rate is among the four highest in the region. Figure (I-3).

Data presented in the first two figures must, naturally, be looked at against the background of recent turmoil and unrest which the country

2 Data included in these figures was collected in May 2011.

Table (I-1); Iraq’s demographic indicators

Total(millions)

Average annual growth (%)

Urban(% of total)

Median age(years)

Dependency ratio

(per 100 peopleages 15–64)

Total fertility rate

(births per woman)

Sex ratio at birth; male

births to 100 female births

1990 2010 20301990–1995

2010–2015

1990 2010 1990 2010 1990 20101990–1995

2010–2015

1990 2010

Iraq 18.1 31.5 48.9 3.0 2.6 69.7 66.2 17.0 19.3 95.6 78.3 5.8 3.7 105.8 106.0

Sources: Human Development Report 2010, United Nations Development Program. Quoting: Columns 1–5 and 8–15: UNDESA (2009d). Columns 6 and 7: UNDESA (2010).

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continues to face. However, the trend outlined in the figure (I-3) could be taken to indicate a brighter future for socioeconomic development, in general, and resources that may become available for scientific and technological development, in particular. Frame (I-2) on the next page includes information derived from recent analyses of Iraq’s economic prospects. One of the main conclusions of such analysis is the need for widespread reforms at numerous levels and in various directions for socioeconomic development to take root.Figures (I-4) and (I-5) provide a summary view of the sources of Iraq’s imports and the destination of the country’s exports, which consist mainly of its oil resources. Examination of such figures with details, with regard to both imports and exports, should yield useful information in planning domestic

scientific and technological development as well as initiatives targeting international cooperation, also with view to enhancing the country’s scientific and technological abilities.

I. 2. 3. Public Expenditure

Table (A-I.3), in the Appendix to this part of the review, presents information on public expenditure in Arab and selected neighbouring countries. Data on Iraq is particularly scarce. Thus, the only two figures available concern Iraq’s expenditure on health and defence, with the first amounting to an average of about 1.9 percent of GDP during 2000-2007 and the latter reaching 5.8 percent in 2008.

Public expenditure on education in the Arab countries ranges between 0.9 percent of GDP in the United Arab Emirates and 8.7 percent of GDP in Djibouti. Out of 18 Arab countries for which data is available 11 countries in fact spend between 4 and 7 percent of their GDP on education at all levels. It may, therefore, be expected thatPublic expenditure on education in the Arab countries ranges between 0.9 percent of GDP in the United Arab Emirates and 8.7 percent of GDP in Djibouti.

Figure (I-1); Gross domestic product for

selected Arab and neighboring countries (bn US$; market exchange rate)

050

100150200250300350400450500

SAIra

nUAE

Egypt

Alger

ia

Kuwait

Qat

ar Iraq

Mor

occo

Liby

a

Sudan

Syria

Om

an

Leba

non

Tunisi

a

Yemen

Jord

an

Bahra

in

Figure (I-2); Gross domestic product per capita in selected

Arab and neighboring countries (thousand US$; market exchange rate)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Qat

arUAE

Kuwait

Om

an

Bahra

in SALi

bya

Leba

non

Iran

Alger

ia

Tunisi

a

Jord

anIra

q

Egypt

Mor

occo

Syria

Sudan

Yemen

Figure (I-3); Gross domestic product growth rates in selected

Arab and neighboring countries (year-on-year grow th %)

0

24

6

8

1012

14

16

Qat

ar

Leba

non

Yemen Ira

q

Sudan

Egypt

Syria

Bahra

in

Om

an

Alger

ia SA

Tunisi

aLi

bya

Mor

occo

Jord

anIra

n

Kuwait

UAE

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Country Report, May 2011

Figure (I-4); Main sources of Iraqi imports (Percentages in 2009)

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Country Report 2011

Others, 49.3

China, 13.8

UAE, 14.7

Germany, 9.5

Italy, 5.2

South Korea, 7.5

Figure (I-5); Main destination of Iraqi exports (Percentages in 2009)

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, Country Report 2011

China, 16.6

Japan, 12.3

Others, 49.1

Turkey, 4.5 South Korea, 7.3

India, 10.2

Chapter One


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Out of 18 Arab countries for which data is available 11 countries in fact spend between 4 and 7 percent of their GDP on education at all levels. It may, therefore, be expected thatThe latter percentage is one of the highest three in the region, coming third after Oman and Jordan, which spent up to 7.7 and 5.9 percent, respectively. Iraq’s spending on education falls towards the higher end of the range for the Arab countries. Higher levels of spending, particularly on higher education, should boost the country’s

ability to conduct research at its universities as well as help improve training of researchers. Higher spending levels would in fact be in keeping with at least two requirements of particular importance for Iraq:

- responding to the needs of the country’s large youthful population, through better training, leading to gainful employment;

- dealing with the backlog created through decades of unrest and mismanagement.

Research and development (R&D)

Frame (I-2); Economic Growth and political developments; status and prospects for the near-future

Table (A-I.5), in the appendix to this chapter, presents an overall view of a variety of infrastructural facilities in the regions countries, including Iraq. While, this table indicates lack of information on many aspects of Iraq’s infrastructure, the fact that 14% of Iraq’s population are still without access to electric power is significant in a country that is rich in hydrocarbon resources as well as sources of renewable energy. While the government of national unity may continue to face difficulties from a variety of sources, economic growth is likely to strengthen over the present and next few years as investments being made in a variety of oil and infrastructure projects realize some returns..Improving security should additionally boost industry and trade. It should also allow progress with upgrading basic services, such as electricity and water. As a result of limited possible action on major economic issues, it is likely that the government will focus on improving project implementation, in part by encouraging greater local participation and cutting bureaucratic constraints. This could in turn boost demand for technical manpower, as well as relevant education and training programmes. Nevertheless, progress on this front may remain slow and piecemeal, hindered by vested interests and corruption.Protests against perceived government inefficiency and corruption may provide impetus for reforms which could in turn have a positive impact on education in general, as well as higher education and scientific research, in particular. On the other hand, the fact that protests continue with regard to issues regarded as more essential, e. g. income levels, water and power availability, share in political decision making, etc., it is likely that other issues which may be widely perceived as less essential, such as education and research, would be sidelined.Likely expansion of the role of foreign oil companies will probably mean limited demand for Iraqi technical manpower, or capacity building among national cadres unless government imposes conditions that would require foreign firms to enact special education, training, research and technology transfer programmes. In effect, unique opportunities are presented by Iraq’s massive oil reserves. And, linking investment in the oil sector to direct provision of programmes in education, training, research and technology transfer could ultimately result in considerable long-term benefits. The same would of course be true of activities undertaken in other sectors of the economy as well as in relation to infrastructure building.5

5 For example, Iraq has contracts with a number of firms to work on a range of electricity projects, aimed at reducing the country’s severe power generation deficit, which is in turn the source of large-scale discontent.

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spending is generally below the world average throughout the Arab countries. Tunisia and Morocco, spend around 1 and 0.6 percent of their GDP, respectively, on R&D, while the remaining Arab countries generally spend less than 0.3 percent of their GDP on R&D. Considering a variety of factors, it may be expected that Iraq is spending even smaller percentages of its GDP on R&D activities at its universities and research centres.

I. 2. 4. Unemployment in Iraq

As might be expected, available figures indicate that unemployment is widespread in Iraq, posing special challenges for the country’s educational system as well as institutions concerned with resolving social problems. See table (A-I.2) in this chapter’s appendix. In 2008, the ratio of employed population to the total is one of the lowest two among the Arab countries. Thus, unemployment is worse only in Palestine, where the ratio of employed people to the total stood at 30.2 percent in 2008. In comparison, corresponding values for other Arab countries ranged from 39 percent in Yemen to around 51 percent in Algeria, reaching figures in excess of 60 percent in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Additionally, it may be noted that Iraq had a relatively low value for this indicator even earlier in 1991, when at 36.8 percent the ratio of employed population to the total was quite close to its value in 2008.

Child labour poses special challenges in Iraq, which comes sixth among eleven Arab countries for which recent data is available. Thus, 11 percent of all Iraqi children in the age bracket 5 - 14 years are actively engaged in profitable employment.

I. 3. Enabling Environment for Scientific Research in Iraq

Table (A-I.4) in the appendix to this chapter, includes information on

a variety of indicators designed to measure the enabling environment for socioeconomic development, in general. At least two of the quantities measured by these indicators relate to scientific and technological development, namely, foreign direct investment and gross capital formation. Regrettably, no information is available on either indicator in the case of Iraq. In fact, the only information available for Iraq concerns the proportion of official development assistance allocated to the social sector, amounting to 18.1 percent. This proportion compares unfavourably with corresponding percentages available for other Arab countries for which the proportion of official development assistance allocated to the social sector, amounts to between 27.5 percent for the Sudan and 83 percent for Oman.

I. 4. Concluding remarks

This review report takes the position expounded by novel approaches to S&T planning, in stressing the need to take up socioeconomic, population characteristics and the employment situation as central considerations. Formulation of policies aimed at revitalising science, technology and innovation would need to pioneer such an orientation, rendering it established practice by S&T communities and enterprise institutions concerned with higher education and scientific research.

On account of its resources Iraq is well placed to undertake massive education and training programmes targeting its immensely valuable and youthful human capital. While reliance may be placed on outside help in the initial phases, steps must be made to attain and adapt national capabilities for STI-based education and training capabilities, maintaining effective links to outside sources of expertise all the while.

The experiences of countries, such as Ireland and Malaysia, that succeeded in matching STI initiatives to socioeconomic characteristics should be subjected to close scrutiny in the process. One of the

Chapter One


18

main lessons learned from such experiences is that the very initiatives designed to enhance human skills are a sources for skilled employment opportunities as well as focus for considerable technology development and adaptation activities, setting up a benign cycle that could ultimately lead to far-reaching socioeconomic transformations. To miss the chances posed by national resources currently available for achieving such transformations over the next decade could place the country in an unviable position for many more years to come.

Appendix (I)

Table (A-I.1); Demographic trends for Arab and selected neighbouring countries

Total(millions)

Average annual growth

(%)

Urban(% of total)

Median age(years)

Dependency ratio

(per 100 people

ages 15–64)

Total fertility rate

(births per woman)

Sex ratio at birth; male births to

100 female births

HDIIndex

Country 1990 2010 20301990–1995

2010–2015

1990 2010 1990 2010 1990 20101990–1995

2010–2015

1990 2010

32 UAE 1.9 4.7 6.6 5.3 2.0 79.1 84.1 27.4 31.7 45.2 25.2 3.9 1.9 104.1 105.3

38 Qatar 0.5 1.5 2.0 2.4 1.6 92.2 95.8 29.6 30.1 40.5 20.5 4.1 2.3 103.8 105.4

39 Bahrain 0.5 0.8 1.1 3.2 1.8 88.1 88.6 25.9 28.1 50.8 39.3 3.4 2.1 107.5 105.2

47 Kuwait 2.1 3.1 4.3 4.3 2.0 98.0 98.4 22.8 30.6 60.9 34.5 3.2 2.1 103.3 102.7

53 Libya 4.4 6.5 8.5 2.0 1.8 75.7 77.9 17.9 26.2 84.4 52.5 4.1 2.5 104.4 104.9

55 SA 16.3 26.2 36.5 2.3 1.9 76.6 82.1 19.4 24.6 79.2 53.6 5.5 2.8 102.2 102.1

70 Iran 56.7 75.1 89.9 1.8 1.1 56.3 70.8 17.4 26.8 92.9 40.2 4.0 1.7 104.7 105.2

81 Tunisia 8.2 10.4 12.1 1.7 1.0 58.0 67.3 20.7 29.1 74.5 42.0 3.1 1.8 106.2 106.7

82 Jordan 3.3 6.5 8.6 5.6 1.4 72.2 78.5 16.3 22.8 100.0 60.4 5.1 2.8 106.7 104.4

83 Turkey 56.1 75.7 90.4 1.7 1.1 59.2 69.7 21.5 28.3 67.3 47.8 2.9 2.1 103.5 104.1

84 Algeria 25.3 35.4 44.7 2.2 1.5 52.1 66.5 18.2 26.2 87.4 46.3 4.1 2.3 104.6 104.6

101 Egypt 57.8 84.5 110.9 2.0 1.7 43.5 43.4 18.9 23.9 85.2 58.1 3.9 2.7 104.4 104.7

111 Syria 12.7 22.5 30.6 2.8 1.7 48.9 55.7 15.7 22.5 104.3 61.2 4.9 2.9 104.1 104.5

114 Morocco 24.8 32.4 39.3 1.7 1.2 48.4 58.2 19.7 26.2 77.3 50.2 3.7 2.3 103.7 103.7

133 Yemen 12.3 24.3 39.4 4.6 2.7 20.9 31.8 14.3 17.8 116.0 84.2 7.7 4.7 104.6 103.9

136 Mauritania 2.0 3.4 4.8 2.7 2.1 39.7 41.4 17.5 20.1 89.7 72.1 5.7 4.1 106.6 106.3

140 Comoros 0.4 0.7 1.0 2.4 2.1 27.9 28.2 16.8 21.1 97.0 69.9 5.1 3.6 102.7 103.4

147 Djibouti 0.6 0.9 1.2 2.1 1.6 75.7 76.2 17.8 21.5 86.5 63.6 5.9 3.5 101.7 102.2

154 Sudan 27.1 43.2 61.0 2.6 2.0 26.6 40.1 17.8 20.3 88.8 73.4 5.8 3.7 103.8 104.1

… Iraq 18.1 31.5 48.9 3.0 2.6 69.7 66.2 17.0 19.3 95.6 78.3 5.8 3.7 105.8 106.0

… Lebanon 3.0 4.3 4.9 3.2 0.8 83.1 87.2 21.9 29.2 69.3 47.2 3.0 1.9 103.3 104.0

… OPT 2.2 4.4 7.3 3.9 2.9 67.9 74.1 16.4 17.6 100.4 90.1 6.5 4.5 103.2 104.5

… Oman 1.8 2.9 4.0 3.3 1.9 66.1 73.0 18.3 24.3 85.4 51.5 6.3 2.8 104.4 104.9

Arab States 226.4 348.2 477.9 2.4 1.9 49.2 55.3 18.2 23.1 87.8 61.9 4.7 2.6 104.2 104.3

World 5,290.4 6,908.7 8,308.9T 1.6 1.1 42.6 50.5 24.4 29.1 65.4 54.0 3.1 2.3 106.0 108.4

a Because data are based on national definitions of what constitutes a city or metropolitan area, cross-country comparison should be made with caution. b The natural sex ratio at birth is commonly assumed and empirically confirmed to be 105 male births to 100 female births. c Includes Taiwan Province of China.

Sources: Human Development Report 2010, United Nations Development Program. Quoting: Columns 1–5 and 8–15: UNDESA (2009d). Columns 6 and 7: UNDESA (2010).

19

Table (A-I.2); Data on employment for Arab and selected neighbouring countries

Employment to population

ratio(% of

population ages 15-64)

Formal employmentVulnerable employment

d Employed people living on less than

$1.25/day(% of total

employment)

Employment rate by level of education (% of labour force with given level of

attainment)

Child labour(% of

children ages 5-14)

Mandatory paid

maternity leave

(calendar days)

(% of totalemployment)

Ratio of female to male rates

(% of totalemployment)

Ratio of female to male rates

Primary or less

Secondary or above

HDI Country 1991 2008 2000–2008c2000–2008c

2000–2008c2000–2008c

2000–2008c2000–2008c

2000–2008c1999–2007c

2007–2009c

Arab countries

32 UAE 71.3 75.9 98.4 1.01 1.6 0.29 .. 2.4 7.9 .. 45f

38 Qatar 73.0 76.9 99.5 1.01 0.4 0.00 .. .. .. .. ..

39 Bahrain 61.0 61.0 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 ..

47 Kuwait 61.9 65.3 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 70f

53 Libya 45.3 48.6 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

55 SA 50.4 50.9 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 70f

81 Tunisia 40.5 41.0 64.3d .. .. .. 3.9 .. .. .. ..

82 Jordan 35.7 37.9 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 70f

84 Algeria 39.2 49.4 64.8 0.76 34.9 1.53 .. 19.0 45.3 5 98

101 Egypt 42.6 43.2 75.2 0.71 24.8 2.13 2.7 .. .. 7 90e

111 Syria 46.6 44.8 57.5 0.81 42.4 1.28 .. .. .. 4 60f

114 Morocco 45.9 46.1 47.1 0.67 51.1 1.40 3.4 8.8 54.2 8 98

133 Yemen 38.3 39.0 .. .. .. .. 26.0 .. .. 23 60f

136 Mauritania 66.5 47.2 .. .. .. .. 24.6 .. .. 16 98

140 Comoros 70.0 69.4 .. .. .. .. 64.6 .. .. 27 ..

147 Djibouti .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 ..

154 Sudan 46.1 47.3 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 56f

… Iraq 36.8 37.1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 ..

… Lebanon 43.8 45.9 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 49e

… OPT 30.1 30.2 63.9 0.85 36.1 1.29 .. 24.7 41.8 .. ..

… Oman 52.6 51.4 89.6 0.98 .. .. .. .. .. .. 42

Comparison countries

70 Iran 45.9 48.9 56.8 0.72 42.7 1.41 1.9 8.3 33.2 .. 90

83 Turkey 52.5 42.3 64.6 0.73 35.3 1.61 3.9 9.0 22.4 5 112

a. Percentage of employed people engaged as unpaid family workers and own account workers. b. Number of days of maternity leave paid by the government, unless otherwise noted. Refers to women in formal employment. c. Data refer to the most recent year available during the period specified. d. Does not include data on employers. e. Benefits paid by both the government and the employer. f. Benefits paid by the employer.

Sources: Human Development Report 2010, United Nations Development Program. Quoting ILO for: Columns 1–9, (2010d), UNICEF for Column 10 and the World Bank (2010f) for columns (2010c) Column 11.

Chapter One


20

Table (A-I.3); Public Expenditure in Iraq and the Arab countries (% of GDP)

Education HealthResearch and Development

MilitaryDebt service (% of

GNI)

2000–2007 2000–2007 2000–2007 2008 2008

Arab countries

UAE 0.9 1.9 .. .. ..

Qatar 3.3 2.9 .. .. ..

Bahrain 2.9 2.6 .. 3.0 ..

Kuwait 3.8 1.7 0.1 3.2 ..

Libya 2.7d 1.9 .. 1.3 ..

Saudi Arabia 5.7 2.7 0.0 8.2 ..

Tunisia 7.2 3.0 1.0 1.3 5.6

Jordan 4.9d 5.4 0.3 5.9 12.2

Algeria 4.3 3.6 0.1 3.0 0.8

Egypt 3.8 2.4 0.2 2.3 1.9

Syria 4.9 1.6 .. 3.4 ..

Morocco 5.7 1.7 0.6 3.4 4.8

Yemen 5.2 1.5 .. 4.2 1.2

Mauritania 4.4 1.6 .. 3.7 4.4

Comoros 7.6 1.9 .. .. 2.3

Djibouti 8.7 5.5 .. 3.7 2.8

Sudan .. 1.3 0.3 .. 0.8

Iraq .. 1.9 .. 5.4 ..

Lebanon 2.0 3.9 .. 3.9 15.6

OPT .. .. .. .. ..

Oman 4.0 1.9 .. 7.7 ..


Iran 4.8 3.0 0.7 2.7 1.0

Turkey 2.9 3.4 0.7 2.2 7.4

d Refers to an earlier year than that specified.

Sources: Human Development Report 2010, United Nations Development Program. Quoting UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2010a) for column 1, the World Bank for columns 2, 3 and 5 and SIPRI (2010b) for column 4.

21

Table (A-I.4); Enabling environment: Tax revenues, capital formation, foreign direct investment, development assistance and remittances in Iraq and the Arab countries

Tax revenue

Gross fixed

capital formation(% of GDP)

Foreign Direct

InvestmentOfficial Development Assistance Remittance Inflows

Net inflows(% of GDP)

Total(% of GNI)

Per capita(US$)

Allocated to social sector (% of total

aid)

Total(% of GDP)

Per capita (US$)

2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008

Arab countries

UAE .. 20.4 .. .. .. .. .. ..

Qatar 23.1 30.2 .. .. .. .. .. ..

Bahrain 1.5 31.9 8.2 0.0 0.0 .. .. ..

Kuwait 0.9 18.9 0.0 .. .. .. .. ..

Libya .. 27.9 4.4 0.1 9.6 81.0 0.0 3

Saudi Arabia .. 19.3 4.8 0.0 0.0 .. 0.0 9

Tunisia 22.8 25.3 6.5 1.3 46.4 38.5 4.9 191

Jordan 18.3 25.6 9.3 3.5 125.6 43.5 17.9 642

Algeria 46.5 27.0 1.6 0.2 9.2 49.0 1.3 64

Egypt 15.4 22.4 5.9 0

Syria .. 16.4 3.1 0.3 6.4 50.7 1.5 41

Morocco 27.5 33.1 2.8 1.4 39.0 47.6 7.8 218

Yemen .. 23.1 5.8 1.3 13.3 62.6 5.3 62

Mauritania .. 25.9 3.6 .. 97.1 38.5 0.1 1

Comoros .. 16.1 1.5 7.0 58.2 60.4 2.3 22

Djibouti .. 38.9 28.9 12.7 142.2 40.3 3.5 36

Sudan .. 20.2 4.6 4.6 57.6 27.5 5.5 75

Iraq .. .. .. .. .. 18.1 .. 0

Lebanon 16.3 30.7 12.3 4.0 259.9 45.3 24.5 1,712

OPT .. 25.7 1.2 0.0 675.2 66.7 14.6 160

Oman 7.4 12.6 7.5 .. 11.4 83.0 0.1 16


Iran 7.3 25.8 0.6 0.0e 1.4 84.5 0.4 16

Turkey 18.6 19.9 2.5 0.3 27.4 27.3 0.2 18

Sources: Human Development Report 2010, United Nations Development Program. Quoting the World Bank for columns 1-3, 7 and 6. OECD -DAC (2010a) is credited for data in columns 4 and 6.

Chapter One


22

Table (A-I.5); The Economy, Physical and Media infrastructures in Arab and selected neighbouring countries

Economy Physical Infrastructure Media Infrastructure

GDP GDP per capitaConsumer

price index av. annual change

(%)

Road density(km of road

per sq. km of land area)

Rail lines (km)

Air transport

freight(million

tones per km)

Population without

electricity(%)

Daily newspapers

(per thousand people)

Radio coverage

(% of population)

Television coverage

(% of population)

HD Index

Country $ bnPPP $

bn($)

Average annual growth rate (%)

2008 2008 20081970–2008

2000–2008

2004–2007a

2004–2008a

2005–2008a

2008 2004 2005 2005

32 UAE .. .. .. 4.2 .. 5 .. .. 0.0 .. 100 100

38 Qatar .. .. .. 0.0 7.3 68 .. .. 0.0 .. 100 ..

39 Bahrain 21.9 27.0 28,240 1.0 1.8 .. .. .. 0.0 .. .. ..

47 Kuwait 148.0 .. 54,260 –1.2 3.0 32 .. .. 0.0 .. .. ..

53 Libya 93.2 101.9 14,802 –1.3 –0.5 .. .. 0 0.0 .. .. ..

55 SA 468.8 590.8 19,022 1.1 1.7 10 2,758 1,383 0.8 .. .. ..

70 Iran .. .. .. 0.2 15.0 10 7,335 97 1.6 .. .. ..

81 Tunisia 40.3 82.1 3,903 3.1 3.2 12 2,218 .. 1.0 .. .. ..

82 Jordan 21.2 32.3 3,596 1.6 4.2 9 251 141 0.0 .. 100 97

83 Turkey 734.9 991.7 9,942 2.4 18.6 55 8,699 481 .. .. .. ..

84 Algeria 166.5 276.0 4,845 1.1 2.8 5 3,572 17 0.6 .. .. ..

101 Egypt 162.3 442.0 1,991 2.5 7.2 9 5,063 195 0.6 .. 94 92

111 Syria 55.2 94.2 2,682 2.2 5.9 21 2,139 14 7.1 .. 88 95

114 Morocco 88.9 136.8 2,769 2.4 1.9 13 1,989 55 2.8 .. .. ..

133 Yemen 26.6 55.3 1,160 2.2 11.7 14 .. 33 62.0 4 .. ..

136 Mauritania 2.9 .. 889 0.6 7.5 1 728 0 .. .. 61 19

140 Comoros 0.5 0.8 824 0.1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

147 Djibouti 0.9 1.8 1,030 –2.1 .. .. 781 .. .. .. .. ..

154 Sudan 55.9 89.0 1,353 1.9 8.2 .. 4,578 47 65.3 .. 100 ..

… Iraq .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,032 .. 14.0 .. .. ..

… Lebanon 29.3 49.4 6,978 4.0 .. 67 .. .. 0.0 54 .. ..

… OPT .. .. .. .. 3.9 .. .. .. .. 10 .. ..

… Oman .. .. .. 3.4 2.3 16 .. .. 3.6 .. 100 100

Arab States 1,357.1 1,951.6 4,774 –1.1 .. .. .. .. 15.2 .. .. ..

World 60,042.1 68,323.9 9,120 2.1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

a. Data refer to the most recent year available during the period specified.

Sources: Human Development Report 2010; United Nations Development Program. Quoting the World Bank for columns 1–3 and 6–8 (2010g). Data in column 4 is calculated based on data from World Bank (2010g) and IMF (2010a). Data in column 5 is Calculated based on data on the consumer price index from World Bank (2010g). Data in column 9 is Calculated based on data on population without electricity from IEA (2009) and data on population from UNDESA (2009d). Data in columns 10–12: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2010b).

23

Chapter Two

Scientific Research Policies, Legislative and

Regulatory Arrangements and Institutional Setting


24

Table of Contents

page

II. 1. Introduction 25

II. 2. Historical background 25

II. 3. Constitutional, policy and strategic aspects 26

II. 4. Institutional perspectives 27

II. 4. 1. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad 28

II. 4. 2. Ministry of Science and Technology3 29

II. 4. 3. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq 30

II. 5. Concluding remarks 32

List of tables

page

II. 1 MoHESR Commissions and Centres with activities related to scientific research

29

List of frames

Page

II-1 Plans adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in KRG towards research capacity building

27

II-2 Conclusions of a recent assessment of Higher Education in Iraq 29

II-3 Draft Law on Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region

31

3

3 See “Iraq Education in Transition: Needs and Challenges;” Published by UNESCO, Paris in , 2004. (UNESCO 2004).

25

II. 1. Introduction

Science had a rich past in the region’s antiquity and Middle Ages. Terrain that is now delineated by Iraq’s geographical boundaries played a major role in the evolution of many scientific disciplines and fields of intellectual endeavour. It may even be argued that earlier successes enjoyed by empires that took Mesopotamia as its seat of power was essentially due to the numerous scientific advances they nurtured across the ages. Land that constitutes the Iraqi Republic today was home to some of the earliest scientific institutions on the planet. Sadly, things are not the same today. While attempts were, and are still being, made to establish institutions of learning and research, it may be said that results achieved thus far fall too short of desired outcomes. The following paragraphs will take a brief look at past efforts made by Iraq with the aim of establishing scientific research institutions in the country.

II. 2. Historical background

The Iraqi Academy of Sciences was established in 1948 to cater for linguistic as well as research in both the social and natural sciences. In 2004,4 the Academy was reported as consisting of scientific departments. Namely, The Department of Arabic language; The Department of Arab and Islamic heritage; The Department of Humanities, with interests including psychology, sociology, philosophy and the arts, The Department of Pure Sciences, encompassing mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology; and the Department of Applied Sciences, including sections with focus on medicine, engineering, and

4 (UNESCO 2004)

agricultural science. In addition to the above departments, the Academy possessed three commissions catering for research terminology as well as Kurdish and Syriac languages.Scientific research in Iraq went through many ups and downs throughout the second half of the Twentieth Century. Nevertheless, a land mark legislation5 was issued in 1963, creating the Higher Council for Scientific Research, which was linked to Baghdad University. The Council became operative in 1964. A series of legislations followed instituting various changes in the Council’s affiliation before it was finally placed under the care of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) in 1980. The period 1980-1985 witnessed significant developments including:

- formulation of a strategy for scientific research covering the period 1980 - 2000;

- initiation of a series of research projects aimed at tackling selected development issues;6

- creation of a system for patent registration.

The Council’s activities went through a period of decline starting 1985, before it was finally dissolved in 1989. The absence of an entity to take care of scientific research was ameliorated through a series of regulatory arrangements, culminating a decree,7 aimed at regulating the activities of scientific research centres in Iraq. The Scientific Research Authority was created in 1995. However, it had little to show over the years due to constraints imposed by the international sanctions and the war in 2003.

5 Law no. 16, dated 1963.6 Including contracts aimed at resolving

certain research questions. 7 Regulatory decree, No. 1 for the year

1995.

Chapter Two


26

II. 3. Constitutional, policy and strategic aspects

Successive Iraqi constitutions and derivative government policies have traditionally placed a great deal of emphasis on education in general, often dwelling on deeply entrenched values relating to the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge for human development, preservation of natural resources and combating environmental degradation.

Iraq’s 2005 Constitution

The Iraqi constitution of 2005, addresses various issues pertaining to higher education and scientific research.8 Thus, Article 34 declares that education is a right for all citizens, that it is to be made available at no financial cost in all its stages, i.e. including higher education, that scientific research is to be encouraged. Article 34 also acknowledges the need to encourage private education. Other relevant articles of the Constitution include:

Article 4: acknowledging the right to education in the population’s mother tongue.Article 16: declaring equal opportunities for all citizens.Article 25: stating that the economy is to be reformed in line with modern principles, including development of the country’s private sector.Article 114: demanding that competencies be shared between federal and regional authorities in the formulation of educational policy.

It is noteworthy that under the new Constitution, higher education

8 “Modernization of the Education Sector in Iraq; Rapid Assessment of the Management of the Education System.” Prepared by Ramzi Salamé for the UNESCO Office for Iraq. Report dated November 2010. (UNESCO 2010)

continues to be made available to citizens at no cost, in line with arrangements under earlier regimes. The new Constitution also includes elements that recognise the need for regional authorities to take part in the formulation of educational policy through appointed joint bodies. Significantly, the Government of the Kurdistan Region is granted the right to establish its own Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The right to establishing private institutions of higher education is also recognised, and, in fact several such institutions have been licensed and became operational. Critics of the Constitutions’ treatment of higher education and scientific research point out its lack of emphasis on substantially increased financial allocations for scientific research. Based on this alone, it would be highly unlikely that any breakthroughs in government allocations to scientific research would be made anytime soon.

Scientific research strategy in the Kurdistan Region

In 2010 moves were made in Iraq’s Kurdistan towards the formulation of a strategy for scientific research covering the period 2010 - 2030. The objectives of the strategy are stated9 as including the creation of research centres covering a variety of specialisations and formation of research cadres of the highest quality, “capable of producing first rate output worthy of publishing in high impact journals” with professional standards comparable to those prevailing in the advanced countries. In documents relating to this strategy emphasis was always placed upon harnessing scientific research to resolving the

9 Document in Arabic provided by Dr. B. Khailany, 30 May 2011; titled /MoHESR) .”نحو استرتيجية للبحث العلمي“Kurdistan 2011)

27

serious problems facing socioeconomic development, as well as to predicting and forestalling such problems. Outcomes of implementing this Strategy are stated as including the creation of:

- an elite corps of researchers;10 - well-equipped research

laboratories and centres;- improved links, including

exchange programmes, with prominent research centres around the world.

Based on the above, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region adopted plans to help build research capacity in the Region including a number of components summarised in frame (II-1).

II. 4. Institutional perspectivesThe fact that no large firms with their own research arms and that no autonomous research institutions exist

10 Reference is due here to the initiative undertaken by MoHESR/Kurdistan in the quest for a new PhD pathway. See the section on “See Reform of PhD pathway in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.”

in the country means that scientific research, whether undertaken at the universities or research centres, is ultimately impacted by policies and regulatory arrangements largely formulated/adopted by relevant ministries. The following paragraphs present institutional aspects of scientific research in Iraq. 11

11 The British Council, in particular, is stated as the source of assistance in this respect, essentially through providing financing, or contracting consultants to render expert assistance. It is not clear why the Council was chosen as partner in this exercise, given that it does not hold a repository of expertise in this domain that is comparable to those held by UNESCO, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the World Bank. While it seems likely that the British Council and the Ministry may have already commenced some kind of collaboration towards the formulation of S&T strategy/policy, it may be appropriate for the PMO to be a governmental entity rather than a joint office, with a mandate to collaborate with a variety of agencies, including, for that matter, the British Council.

Frame (II-1); Plans adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in KRG towards research capacity building.

The following is an outline of goals that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Kurdistan will seek to attain with view to building research capacity in the region.

• Establishment of a Project Management Office (PMO) so that the Ministry of Higher Education in Erbil and international organisations may collaborate in formulating science and technology strategies and policies of the Kurdish Region of Iraq.11

• Promotion of collaboration between experts from the Kurdish Region of Iraq with reputable counterparts abroad to lay down research plans and priorities, establish joint collaboration with the aim of building up and improving research capacity in the Region.

• Allocation of sufficient budgets by the Regional government as well as improved access to funding from other sources.• Establishment of well-equipped laboratories in areas earmarked as priority concerns. • Creation of improved linkages to international research networks with view to establishing partnership and engaging

in cooperative activities.• Establishment of a research network for Kurdish Region of Iraq in collaboration with UNESCO.• Improving access to digital Internet-based libraries by researchers in fields of primary concern for the Region’s

development.• Enhancing the capacity of scientific researchers and technicians engaged in supporting research activities with view

to improving the quality of output produced by the Region’s researchers and having their publications appear in reputable international journals.

Chapter Two


28

II. 4. 1. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is one of the largest ministries in Iraq. Its responsibilities concerning both higher education and scientific research were largely established as the result of implementation of Law 40/1988 and its subsequent amendments and the instructions, the most recent of which was promulgated in November 2010.With regard to scientific research in particular the Ministry possesses a Directorate of Research and Development, overseen by a Deputy Minister. The Directorate has the following subdivisions:

- Care of Scientists and Innovators;

- Scientific Affairs;- Coordination and Relations;- Graduate Studies;- Control of Chemical Hazards;- Pilot Projects.

While it would be essential to examine the workings of each one of these subdivisions, with view to examining the level of support they render to scientific research, it seems that the Directorate’s subdivisions are somewhat heterogeneous.The law that established MoHESR12 invested it with all legal means necessary for fulfilling a variety of functions including Pre-policy studies, policy formulation targeting identification of strategic national goals in education and research, based on national goals. This law also provides MoHESR with the means to devise comprehensive implementation plans for meeting its goals, stipulating human and financial

12 Law 40/1988 entrusting MoHESR with the management of the higher education system throughout Iraq.

resources, and time frames needed, as well as utilise key performance indicators with view to implementing monitoring and evaluation schemes. Article 4 allows the establishment of an organizational structure for “Studies, Planning, and Monitoring”, “Caring for Research”, “Caring for External Relations”, “Providing Legal and Administrative Support”, and “Supervision and Scientific Assessment”.However, in practice, it would seem that, over time, the objectives of establishing the Ministry, especially as decreed in articles 2 and 3 of the Law, have been subjected to a somewhat minimalist interpretation. In deed, certain high-level duties appear to have been reduced to mere bureaucratic functions. It may be mentioned here, that such trends are often explained as attempts at improving performance and facilitating procedures within difficult conditions on numerous fronts.The Ministry is home to six Commissions and Centres. See table (II-1) for a list of entities whose activities are related to scientific research. Among these the Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics (ICCI) appears to be the most prominent, having performed key roles in capacity building on the information technology front. The following few paragraphs provide a summary of the ICCI structure and domains of activity.A recent assessment of the Management of the Education System in Iraq13 attempted a characterisation of issues that appear to have hampered the Ministry’s

13 “Modernization of the Education Sector in Iraq; Rapid Assessment of the Management of the Education System.” Prepared by Ramzi Salamé for the UNESCO Office for Iraq. 11th November 2010. (UNESCO 2010)

Educational complex rehabilitated in Baghdad

29

II. 4. 2. Ministry of Science and Technology14

The Ministry of Science and 15Technology (MoST) came into being as a result of the dissolution, in August 2003, of the Ministry of Atomic Energy. Around 1,500 of the latter ministry’s engineers and scientists, reportedly engaged in defence industry projects were transferred to the newly established Ministry. The main article in the MoST mission refers to “work with public and private industry, governmental agencies, and educational institutions to lead scientific

14 (UNESCO 2004).15 (UNESCO 2010)

and technological development for the purpose of fostering the restoration and improvement of Iraq’s infrastructure and industrial base.” The new Ministry’s mandate covers application of science and technology in a variety of fields including fossil fuel/solar energy, environmental protection, ICTs, agriculture and food, chemical/industrial development. The Ministry is further required to liaise with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the universities, in order to ensure optimal use of resources.16

16 The Ministry’s website carries pages in both English and Arabic with disparate contents. English pages include some information on research centres and directorates. See http://www.most.gov.iq/.

Table (II-1); MoHESR Commissions and Centres with activities related to scientific research

Commission for Technical Training http://www.fte.edu.iq/

Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics http://www.icci.edu.iq/

Centre for Cancer Research http://iccmgr.org/

Iraqi Commission for Medical Specialties www.iraq-cabms.org/

Centre for Psychological Research http://psychocenteriraq.com/

Kurdistan Centre for Research and Technology …

Frame (II-2); Conclusions of a recent assessment of Higher Education in Iraq15

The management of higher education system in Iraq has strengths including comprehensiveness of relevant legal framework, sound structures designed to manage its institutions. However, some weaknesses do exist as well. These are manifested particularly with regard to the performance of the policy and planning function, institutional autonomy, composition of institutional councils and the distribution of powers between individual actors and collegial bodies, management of scientific research, human resources management, and monitoring, quality assurance, and accountability mechanisms. The following paragraphs attempt some further information.

Policy, Planning, and Monitoring function appears to be poorly performed and will need to be boosted. Structural units concerned with these functions may have to be restructured with a new scope for their responsibilities.

With regard to functions pertaining to implementation of approved plans, there appears to be a strong need to revisit the division of labour concerning students’ affairs with view to instituting a sound functional structure, ensuring greater harmony in the discharging the responsibilities of concerned departments/units.

Quality assurance of Higher Education institutions and their programmes appears to rely excessively upon external agencies of quality assurance, which may understandably skirt around local conditions and salient national priorities, and hence produce limited impact. (UNESCO 2010)

operations. Issues were compiled by this assessment with regard to steps that the Ministry will need to take in order to comply more closely

with the numerous challenges facing higher education scientific research in Iraq. See frame (II-2).

Chapter Two


30

II. 4. 3. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdish Region (MoHESR/KRG) has adopted a short-term strategy with objectives including the establishment of a research centre within every university. As a result, since 2006, every public university in the Kurdish region had a research centre. However, lack of appropriate facilities and crucial laboratory equipment, added to the absence of research plans, have rendered these centres ineffective. Thus, while public universities do sponsor a number of research projects, budgets allocated are invariably inadequate, resulting in their failure to meet strategic development objectives. The Ministry directs research and allocates research funding for research in fields considered key priorities. All programmes are said to run for a minimum period of four years, with funding provided by MoHESR/KRG.Research programmes supported by the Ministry are also intended to raise scientific standards with emphasis on multi- and trans-disciplinary projects. International cooperation will also receive special attention. This is underscored by a recent report posted by MoHESR/KRG. The report includes a chapter dedicated to the promotion of scientific research in which the need to foster multi-disciplinary collaborative research with the objective of “bringing together researchers from various centres of excellence.” The report is also critical of the fact that thousands of the Region’s scientists, professors, and research

students carry out research, mostly in isolation or in small groups “with little collaboration between them or with the outside world,” with the end result that “research funds, capital equipment and institutional infrastructure are fragmented.” This state of affairs is blamed for the paucity of research output and its minimal impact on life in the Region. Poor management structures in the Region’s universities, “inappropriate PhD training pathway, a restrictive and a wholly inadequate Higher Education Law” are also held responsible.17

A process of reform with urgent radical changes is considered by the Report as the best means possible for putting an end to the present situation.18 With this in mind the initial phase of the reform process would require that research students and their supervisors strengthen their links with the outside world through bilateral visits and joint projects. Sending professors on sabbaticals and students for training abroad are means that would be resorted to in order to expand existing research networks, update knowledge and sharpen skills. The following paragraphs discuss the creation of novel PhD training pathways, an issue that features prominently in the Ministry’s plans.Key to implementing programmes aimed at the revitalisation of the Higher Education and Scientific Research system in the Kurdistan Region is the Human Capacity Development Program (HCDP) in

17 This report also underlines the “lack of incentives on academics to collaborate with their counterparts in international centres of excellence.” However, as is the case in many other similar situations, lack of incentives is often a product of laws, regulations and legislative instruments that guide activities such as scientific research.

18 The Report in fact uses the term “crisis” to describe the present situation.

University of Sulaimani

31

Frame (II-3); Draft Law on Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region has drafted a new law for approval by the Parliament with quite a few clauses targeting improvements in the Region’s research capabilities. Among other goals, the draft new law aims at formulating novel strategies and plans to upgrade higher education and scientific research. Openness to the outside world, better funding modalities and focus on human resources as both means and goals of the process are hallmarks of the new draft law. Additionally, the new law demands that modalities for quality assurance in higher education and research are embedded within relevant institutions, whether governmental or otherwise. The new draft law addresses a number of institutional issues with the intention of improving the manner with which the Ministry supports higher education and scientific research in the Region. Thus, an article in the draft law requires the creation of a “Scientific Research Council”19 within the ministry. The head of this authority is a de facto member of a Council to be established at the Ministry with view to overseeing policy formulation as well as implementation of future plans aimed at revitalising the Region’s activities in higher education and scientific research. Additionally, the draft law includes provisions for the creation of a department within the Ministry to specialise in funding and evaluation of scientific research projects. Articles addressing the roles of institutions and individuals concerned with higher education and scientific research may be described as progressive in the sense that the highlight academic freedom and stipulate independence from political influences of any kind. With special regard to funding, the draft law demands that universities dedicate a minimum of 5% of their operating budgets to scientific research. With regard to planning higher education and scientific research activities within individual institutions, the draft law requires that an annual ‘strategy’ is formulated by every university with the purpose of introducing improvements in higher education and scientific research. This strategy must be ratified by the senate clearing it for implementation. In relation to actual scientific research plans, the draft law charges university councils with the task of ratifying research and other plans, presumably including funding dedicated to individual research programmes/projects. The draft law appears to place a good deal of the burden for reform on individual universities, charging them with creating appropriate overriding conditions and implementation of modalities to ensure quality through programmed cooperation with well-established universities abroad.In relation to the award of Masters and PhD degrees, the draft law demands that the former degrees are awarded following a course of study of not less than two years. The draft law stipulates that at least one third of the credits associated with the award of the Masters degree be related to scientific research activity. A PhD degree, on the other hand, may be awarded only following four, instead of the current three years. The draft law further demands that, at least one of the four years, spent by the PhD candidate working at an accredited research institution abroad.While it is not clear when the present draft law would be enacted, it may be commended with special regard to a number of innovations. However, it may also be stated that it probably marks a first step in reforming higher education and scientific research in the Region. A good deal is in fact left to ensuing strategies, derivative decrees, executive orders and action plans. This is especially the case since aspects such as links to the business sector20 as well as to other ministries in response to socioeconomic needs, do not appear to be covered adequately by the draft law. Additionally, no direct mention is made of the need for new institutional forms, technology parks, incubators and the like.

which the MoHESR-KRG will send students abroad to world universities and centres of excellence to pursue graduate degrees at the M.A. and PhD levels. Frame (II-3) 1920

19 The draft law uses the term ‘هيئة’ in reference to this new body.20 In particular, the issue of arrangements to be adopted in cases where a university,

or a research centre, partners with business institutions with the aim of undertaking research activity that may result in profit-making products or processes, is not addressed. In this respect it may be noted that arrangements of this nature are now customary in many developed countries. However, many such countries did not have relevant legislation regulating links between public universities and enterprises till relatively recently. Regulations enacted by France in this regard date to the late 1990’s.

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II. 5. Concluding remarks

Iraq lacks a comprehensive science, technology and innovation policy. Promising steps have been made by MoHESR towards formulating a national research strategy. Similar moves have also been undertaken in the Kurdistan Region with emphasis on research human capital formation, emphasising links with sources of S&T expertise abroad. Positive outcomes may be expected as a result of both initiatives, especially in the short and medium terms. Long-lasting benefits, however, would require much wider policy frameworks, taking into account the need to nurture technology development and adaptation as well as master innovative practices in priority production and services sectors with the aim of enhancing the country’s competitiveness and growth as well as creating more jobs for its youth. With particular regard to the institutional scene in Iraq, the establishment of a scientific research council should iron out a number of difficulties with regard to scientific research priority setting and resource allocation. However, in order to formulate optimal

R&D strategies, linking supply and demand sides as well harnessing STI efforts to national development policy objectives, there is a strong need for a national STI governing body, suitably situated within policy making and decision taking circles of government. In particular, an exhaustive search in available literature has failed to identify initiatives aimed at establishing novel institutional forms in Iraq, now considered essential in many developing as well as developed countries in order to bridge demand and supply sides, such as science and technology parks, incubation schemes, centres of excellence. Such institutional forms are essential for harnessing higher education and scientific research to development goals and improving their impact on the country’s economy.The lack of an agency equipped with suitable legislative instruments for funding STI activities is also a point that needs to be addressed through future initiatives.Finally, it is hoped that STI legislative and regulatory frameworks in force for decades will finally be modified, infusing greater openness and wider room for innovative inputs targeting development priorities.

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Iraq’s research Centres and their Activities


34

Table of contents

page

Preface

III. 1. Introduction 37

III. 2. Scientific research institutions and research governance 37

III. 2. 1. Research at Iraq’s universities 38

III. 2. 2. Resources dedicated to research activity 39

III. 2. 3. Research outcomes 39

III. 3. Results of the UNESCO questionnaire survey, 2011 40

III. 3. 1. Human resources in Iraq’s Research Institutions 41

III. 3. 2. Financial Resources 44

III. 3. 3. Research Output 44

III. 3. 4. Research Cooperation 48

III. 3. 5. Obstacles to research activity 49

III. 3. 6. Information and Communications Technology Resources 56

III. 4. Research priorities in Iraq and neighbouring countries 57

III. 4. 1. Iraq’s research priorities 57

III. 4. 2. Research priorities in Iraq’s neighbouring countries 61

III. 5. Research output in Iraq and the region 62

III. 5. 1. Research orientations 62

III. 5. 2. University research output 63

III. 5. 3. Research publications 63

III. 5. 4. Theses and dissertations 63

III. 5. 5. Regional perspectives 65

III. 5. 5. 1. Patents 67

III. 6. Status and future perspectives of scientific research in Iraq; CGE meeting (09-2011) 67

III. 6. 1. Keynote presentations 68

III. 6 .2. Discussion points 70

III. 6. 3. Conclusions and recommendations 73

III. 7. Concluding remarks 74

Appendices

Appendix III.1; Visibility of Iraqi research institutions on the Web 77

Appendix III.2; Research cooperation in the region 80

Appendix III.3; Research cooperation with Iraqi universities, government ministries and international partners

82

Appendix III.4; Recommendations of the UNESCO/Iraq meeting (December 12-14, 2011) 84

Appendix III.5; Global share of research output for the five most research-prolific countries in the Middle East

86

35

List of tables

page

III-1 Distribution of staff members across categories qualification levels and fields of research 41

III-2III-2 Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in Iraq over the years 2005-2010

45

III-3 III-3 Patents registered by research institutions in Iraq 47

III-4 III.4 Key to rankings used to rate obstacles encountered by research institutions 50

III-5III-5 List of categories and individual entries on which responses were sought by research centres and units taking part in the questionnaire survey

51

III-6III-6 Average scores awarded by groups of research institutions which responded to the questionnaire survey to categories of obstacles

52

III-7 III-7 Values of the Environmental Sustainability Index for Arab Countries 59

III-8 III-8 Levels of organic water pollutants in selected Arab countries 60

III-9III-9 Fields of research ranked by global share* for 2005-2009 held by fourteen countries in the Middle East

61

III-10 III-10 Number of higher degrees awarded by Babylon University in all fields 64

III-11III-11 Numbers of higher degrees awarded by Babylon University in science, engineering and medicine

65

A-III-1.1Number of returned documents in Google queries using the full name of the research centre as well as the name of Baghdad and Basra Universities. Queries conducted on 11 June 2011

77

A-III.1.2 Number of returned documents in Google queries using the full name of the research centre as well as the name of Mosul and AL Nahrain Universities. Queries conducted on 11 June 2011

78

A-III.1.3 Number of returned documents in Google queries using the full name of the research centre as well as the name of Babylon, Al Mustansiriya Universities and the Commission for Computers and Informatics. Queries conducted on 11 June 2011

79

AIII.3.1 Cooperation by responding research institutions with Iraqi universities 82

A-III.3.2Cooperation by responding research institutions with Ministries and government departments

83

A-III.3.3 Cooperation by responding research institutions with international partners 83

A-III.5Table (A-III.5); Global share of research output* for the five most research-prolific countries in the Middle East, within fields in which they are individually best represented.

86

List of frames page

III. 1 Governance of scientific research in Iraq 37

III. 2 International Conference on Revitalizing Research in Kurdistan 49

III. 3 Categories of research projects; according to beneficiary sectors or fields of application 58

III. 4 Impact of research undertaken in the most selected countries in the Middle East 66

III. 5 Iraqi and overseas institutions represented at the CGE meeting 69

III. 6 Principal topics for CGE discussions 71

III. 7Research activity in Iraq; priorities, institutional frameworks, funding, output and a roadmap for the future

76

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List of figures

page

III-1 Pace of establishing research centres in Iraq since 1967 41

III-2 Distribution of staff members across fields of studies and research 42

III-3Total numbers of employees, researchers and folders of higher qualifications at research centres and units

42

III-4 Distribution of the total number of employees across main categories of research activity 42

III-5Distribution of the total staff members, researchers and staff with qualifications higher than the BSc degree across research fields

43

III-6 Distribution of male and female researchers across fields of research. 43

III-7 Distribution of financial resources across fields of research. 45

III-8 Books published by research centres across fields of research. 45

III-9Papers published by research centres and units in refereed and un-refereed journals across research fields during 2005-2010

46

III-10 Averages of scores awarded by 52 research institutions to perceived obstacles 53

III-11Averages of scores awarded by 30 research institutions active in all areas of applied scientific research to perceived obstacles

53

III-12Averages of scores awarded by ten research institutions active in medical and healthcare research to perceived obstacles

54

III-13Averages of scores awarded by eleven research institutions active in social and political science and humanities to perceived obstacles

54

III-14Averages of scores awarded by seven research institutions active in agricultural, natural resources and allied research to perceived obstacles

55

III-15Averages of scores awarded by eight research institutions active in energy and environmental research to perceived obstacles

55

III-16Averages of scores awarded by twelve research institutions active in selected areas of applied science to perceived obstacles

55

III-17Averages of scores awarded by three institutions active in remote sensing and GIS research to perceived obstacles

55

III-18 Number of PCs and laptops available to responding research institution in Iraq 56

III-19Averages number of PCs and laptops per research institution across categories of research institutions

56

III-20Annual research publication output of nine less prolific countries in the Arab countries, Iran and Turkey

65

III-21Annual research publications of the five most prolific among Arab countries as well as Turkey and Iran

67

III-22 Patents granted to selected Arab and neighbouring countries 67

A-III.2.1Map summarising extent and orientations of research collaboration between countries in the region and developed countries throughout the world

81

37

III. 1. Introduction

Traumatic events in Iraq during the past 3-4 decades have left their mark on research and development activity throughout the country. While some institutions seemed to recover during the past five years, others are still to regain a semblance of their past capabilities. This, of course, is not to say that these capabilities were in any way commensurate with the country’s resources, requirements and inherent abilities. As attested by numerous regional and international reports, Iraq, and its neighbouring Arab countries lagged behind even some developing countries in terms of both the quantity and quality of their scientific research output.

As the situation in Iraq improves on various fronts, it would be beneficial to examine the status of scientific research institutions and relevant legislative and regulatory arrangements throughout the country, with emphasis on priority areas of particular relevance to the socioeconomic development on numerous fronts. The following sections are an attempt to conduct a preliminary examination along these lines. For optimal outcomes, there will clearly be need for more in-depth evaluation of both institutional and legislative/regulatory arrangements before STI policies are ultimately finalised and strategic implementation plans implemented.

III. 2. Scientific research institutions and research governance

The ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research, both in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the Ministry of Science and Technology in Baghdad, are currently the main government institutions charged with determining policy frameworks as well overseeing activities undertaken by the country’s universities and research

institutions. While other ministries may undertake research activity, sometimes in collaboration with institutions of higher education and their research centres, detailed information on such endeavours is scarce, if at all available in the first place. Additionally, a great deal of such interaction may take place as a result of direct and often personal contacts.

An Iraqi Academy of Science has reportedly been as operational since the late 1940’s. However, there have been reports of another academy founded in the United Kingdom by expatriate Iraqis. It is not quite clear what impact either academy actually has had, or might in fact make, on scientific research in the country. In 1963, a Scientific Research Council was established but did not commence operations till 1964. See frame (III.1).

Prior to April 2003, a “National Committee for Science and Technology,” made up of university presidents, was charged with coordinating research activity in Iraq. However, there are indications that this committee played only a limited role in directing research efforts, with research centres, institutes of higher education, ministries and

Frame (III. 1); Governance of scientific research in Iraq

Scientific research governance in Iraq went through a number of stages starting with the establishment of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) in 1963. The council commenced actual operations in 1964. When the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research was established in 1967, SRC was placed under its care. Between 1970 and 1976, SRC was an organ of the State Planning Council. It reverted to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in 1976. The year 1980 marked the start of a bright period for SRC. Thus, during 1980 - 1985 it was able to formulate a national scientific research strategy covering the decades 1980-2000, which was to be implemented through subsequent five-year plans. This period also witnessed a number of other achievements in terms of conferences held and publications made in international refereed journals by Iraqi scientists. The period 1985-1989 was not distinguished by particular achievements and SRC was eventually disbanded in 1989. The year 1995 witnessed the establishment of a Scientific Research Council by the Ministry. However, little was achieved by this entity.

Chapter Three

Technical Training in Iraq


38

public sector firms acting more or less independently.

Historically, efforts aimed at creating research facilities in Iraq were concentrated in Baghdad University. Provincial universities which arose in the latter part of the twentieth century sought to create alternative university research facilities, notably in Basra and Mosul. However, Baghdad University appears to have remained a major locus for scientific research in the country.

In many instances, during the past three decades, choice of research topics was severely limited by the scarcity of scientific equipment and requisite materials, including access to literature, rather than any interference by authorities. A survey conducted by UNESCO in 2004,21 found that faculty were relatively free to choose research topics, which were for the most part chosen as part of higher studies and the award of postgraduate degrees.

III. 2. 1. Research at Iraq’s universities

A recent assessment report produced by UNESCO in 2010, states that “from a functional point of view, the higher education institutions seem not to perform their duties as regards research and the advancement of knowledge as usually expected from such institutions.” Indeed, it would appear that research has seldom been a preoccupation of Iraq’s universities. An indicator of the level of attention awarded to research at Iraqi universities is the absence of senior posts dedicated to managing scientific research in their organizational charts.22

21 (UNESCO 2004)22 Thus, while senior posts are reserved

for extracurricular activities such as sports in a number of public universities, no comparable posts are allocated to supervising research activities. Naturally, this is not intended to downgrade the importance of sports in university life. Rather, it is just to illustrate an imbalance that needs to be addressed.

Many Iraqi universities offer courses leading to Master’s and PhD degrees. A number of special centres for postgraduate studies in science operate in fields that include engineering, medicine and agriculture. The number of students opting for PhD degree programmes run by Iraqi universities increased during the 1990s, partly due to constraints on travelling abroad.

However, the quality of postgraduate studies and research is often questioned, even by Iraqi faculty members. Shortcomings appear to include scarcity of qualified supervisors in numerous fields and inadequate laboratory equipment. Nevertheless, until a few years ago, the only means of improvement were through internal training of faculty members. This obviously had many limitations and was hence of limited effect.

There are signs that the situation has recently been changing quite radically. Many would say, however, that progress has been too slow. Nevertheless, a number of new university laboratories and research centres have been established, particularly since 2005. The Kurdistan Region is often highlighted as an example of how things would turn out given greater autonomy and stability. Thus, the Kurdistan Region has been witnessing a flurry of activity; with several public and private universities and colleges having opened up during the past few years. It may be argued that this would ultimately induce an influx of specialists both Iraqi and otherwise, who would join the ranks of university lecturers and researchers, creating a benign cycle that would ultimately lead to improved research capabilities throughout the country. =Table (Annex II-A1), presented in annex (II), is a list of research institutions established in Iraq’s main universities. It is based on a UNESCO report published in 2010.23 Table (Annex II-A1) indicates that most university centres are devoted to research in medicine,

23 (UNESCO 2004)

39

science, engineering and technology.24 Medical research is reportedly focused on topics/diseases such as cancer, diabetes and fertility. Research centres and units have recently been established in a variety of specialities. In at least one instant, concerning the creation of a biomathematics research unit, it would appear that attempts have been made at acquiring capabilities at the forefront of scientific research. That such a highly specialised discipline is being granted its own research facilities, begs the question as to when and how other disciplines and application areas with equal if not stronger claims for priority status would be granted requisite capabilities. This, along with similar other issues, is in need of closer consideration than is possible within the scope of the present review report.

In short, research at Iraq’s universities is in need of much greater attention than it seems to have received thus far. Such attention, coupled with commensurate resources, might be expected to pay back quite handsomely in terms of human capital formation as well as more tangible contributions to overall socioeconomic development. The questionnaire survey which forms basis for much of what follows in this chapter was directed primarily at research centres and units, some of which are part of, or closely affiliated to, national universities.

III. 2. 2. Resources dedicated to research activity

With massive resources generated by the country’s oil industry, generous allocations were dedicated to research activity in Iraq during the 1970s.

24 In many aspects, this table conforms to information gained through responses to the questionnaire survey forms received during July-August 2011. However, it includes reference to research institutions which either have not responded to the questionnaire survey for some reason or another.

The situation changed during the 1980s during the conflict with Iran. However, it is most likely that research activity continued, and perhaps even intensified, at institutions charged with carrying out defence-related research. Nevertheless, despite the furore it generated worldwide, little appears to have been made public on defence-oriented research activity during that era. At any rate, with the destruction of research facilities and assassinations of scientists that followed its invasion in 2003, Iraq never enjoyed the privilege of having its defence research reoriented towards civilian objectives.

A UNESCO report, prepared in 2010,25 states that scarcity of equipment and materials as well as poor access to scientific literature were evident even before the Country’s invasion, in 2003. This was mainly in consequence of the embargo during much of the nineties. Lack of resources, both in terms of manpower and funding, became acute in the late 1990’s, as the impact of international sanctions deepened. However, while the sanctions must have been quite damaging, they probably prompted closer cooperation between university researchers and partners in economic and military institutions.

The situation worsened immediately following the invasion by the coalition forces, with several scientific research establishment reportedly looted and destroyed in various parts of the country.26

III. 2. 3. Research outcomes

In line with many other countries in the

25 This report is titled “Introduction: Developing a Master Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation in Iraq, 2011-2015.” It was obtained by the author of the present review report in electronic format in March 2011.

26 For example, a UNESCO survey study conducted in 2004 reported that the Centre for Babylon Studies -one of the most impressive archaeological centres of its kind in the world- was looted and left with none of its original facilities.

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40

region, results of research endeavours, mainly at the country’s universities, took the form of publications in both refereed and un-refereed journals. Many such publications represented part or continuation of research undertaken abroad by university staff while on courses of higher studies. In general, little emphasis was placed on technology development with very few if any innovative products or processes developed as a result. As indicated in section (III.3), several Iraqi centres of studies and research have published a significant number of books over the period 2005-2010.

Closer examination of the nature and impact of Iraq’s research outcomes would be justified on several grounds. Not least of which is identification of bright spots, to build upon, and weaknesses, to remedy; in seeking a better future for scientific research throughout the country. It would also be essential to look into scientific research and its outcomes in neighbouring countries. This is essential if the intended roadmap for the future of scientific research in Iraq is to succeed in promoting closer cooperation and coordination of research activity on issues of common or complementary interests. To this end appendix (II) to this chapter includes information on research activity and related output in several neighbouring countries, including, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Additionally, there is need to dedicate special effort towards present trends and prospects for the future of scientific research in selected priority areas, so as to illuminate future research policies and related implementation strategies.

III. 3. Results of the UNESCO questionnaire survey, 2011

It may be stated at the outset that little information is in fact available concerning scientific research that goes on in the majority of Iraq’s research institutions. Available information on relevant pages in university web

sites rarely goes beyond the research centres’ names as well as a few isolated documents with the titles of research projects and relevant publications. See appendix (I). In producing this review, both direct and indirect attempts were made at gaining first-hand information about Iraq’s research centres and their activities. Apart from the results of the questionnaire survey27 information was sought through direct contact with selected universities, from searches within websites of parent universities as well as the websites of concerned organisations, such as UNESCO, Arab League Education, Culture and Science Organisation (ALECSO) and the United Nations University (UNU). Table (Annex II-A2), is based on responses to the UNESCO questionnaire survey received from around 50 research institutions during July-August 2011. It includes the names and years of establishment of responding research institutions included in this survey. Figure (III-1), provides a view of the pace at which research centres were established since the 1980’s. Waves of research institution building maybe discerned, notably in the 1980’s, the 1990’s, and, more recently, during the past decade. A number of new university laboratories and research centres have been established, particularly since 2005, many more in the Kurdistan Region than in other parts of the country.

27 An updated questionnaire form used to obtain information for the section on research centres is presented in annex I to the present review report.

Agricultural institute, date-palm, dates collectorPhotographer: Roger, Dominique

41

The following paragraphs are aimed at discussing information returned by the above research institutions, which were grouped according to fields of activity into four categories, namely: energy and the environment, medical and life sciences, applied science and social science and humanities.

III. 3. 1. Human resources in Iraq’s Research Institutions

The total number of employees in Iraq’s research institutions responding to the UNESCO questionnaire survey stands at around 1720 employees in all staff categories, including researchers, technicians and support staff. The number of actual researchers is around 670, supported by a little less than twice their number of other staff categories, including technicians and administrative staff.Table (Annex II-B1) provides a detailed view of staff at responding research institutions. Subsequent tables (Annex II-B2, B3, B4 and B5), also in annex (II) to the present report, provide a breakdown of staff at these institutions across research centres and units in various disciplines and specialisations. Table (III-1) and figure (III-2) below provide a summary view of this latter group of tables, indicating, for example, that at 24 percent, research centres active in environment sector appear to possess the largest proportion of staff members as well as researchers.28 2930

Table (III-1); Distribution of staff members across categories, qualification levels and fields of research

Total Staff Researchers B.Sc. and above

M F Total M F total M F total

Energy 40 4 44 26 2 28 34 3 37Agriculture and Natural Resources29 102 31 133 26 5 31 85 26 116

Biotechnology 58 54 112 31 25 56 49 44 93

Environmental 236 181 417 96 43 139 190 131 321

Applied sciences30 92 63 155 36 11 47 75 47 122

GIS and remote sensing 36 22 58 27 6 33 31 19 50

Medical and healthcare 100 153 253 40 45 85 56 114 170Social sciences, humanities, local and regional issues

269 277 546 159 102 261 191 174 365

Totals 933 785 1718 441 239 670 711 558 1269

The ratio of support staff to the total varies somewhat from one group of institutions to another. Figure (III-3) provides an overall view of staff members employed at the above institutions around the middle of 2011. This figure indicates that around 59 percent of all employees at research centres and units surveyed possess

28 This is largely due to the fact that the Marine Science Centre, which is in possession of a considerable number of employees (202), and researchers (121), is included in this category of research institutions.

29 Includes a “Water Desalination Research Unit.”30 Includes centres and units active in nanotechnology, polymer science and industrial production.

Chapter Three

Figure (III-1); Pace of establishing research centres in Iraq since the 1967

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

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1968

1977

1980

1985

1986

1989

1992

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2008

2007

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2011


42

qualifications at or higher than the BSc degree. This is not a particularly high ratio, considering levels of skill required in fields of activity such as applied science, medicine and remote sensing.

Figure (III-4) indicates that institutions active in applied science as well as medical research appear to have a ratio of around 66 percent of support staff to their total number or employees, while institutions engaged in activities that fall in the domain of social science and humanities possess a ratio of around 55 percent.

Figure (III.2); Distribution of staff members across fields of studies and research

Energy , 44, 3%

Biotechnology , 112, 7%

Agriculture & Natural Resources, 133, 8%

Environment, 417, 24%

Applied sciences, 155, 9%

GIS & remote sensing , 58, 3%

Medical & healthcare , 253, 15%

Soc. sci., humanities, local & regional, 546,

31%

Figure (III-3); Total number of employees, researchers and holders of higher qualifications at research centres and units

0

200

400

600

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1200

1400

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Figure (III-4); Distribution of the totalnumber of employees across main categories of research activity

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600

800

1000

Science and technology Medicine and healthcare Soc. sci., local & regionalissues

Total number of employees Researchers

A summary view of the distribution of staff, researchers and holders of higher qualifications across categories of research institutions is presented in figure (III-5). This figure indicates that the largest number of employees and researchers are engaged in activities related to the environment, which according to the classification adopted in the present review report, includes marine science. On the other hand the category of research institutions with the smallest payroll is that engaged in research on energy-related issues. Incidentally, this category of research institutions

43

is characterised by a high proportion of research staff to total staff members.The ratio of total female to male staff at responding institutions to the questionnaire survey is about 1:1.2. The corresponding ratio for researchers is smaller, at 1:1.8. Figure (III-6) provides a view of the distribution of male and female researchers across categories of research institutions indicating overall prevalence of female researchers in medicine and healthcare. Comparable numbers of male and female researchers are seen to be working in the fields of biotechnology as well as local and regional development. On the other hand far more male than female researchers appear to be involved in fields such as energy, environmental and agricultural research.

Figure (III-5); Distribution of total staff members, researchers and staff with qualifications higher than the BSc degree across research fields

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Soc. Sci., local & regional

issues

Environmental Medical &healthcare

Appliedsciences

Agriculture &Nat. Res.

Biotechnology GIS & remotesensing

Energy

Total staff Higher degrees Researchers

Figure (III-6); Distribution of male and female researchers across fields of research

0

20

40

60

80

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180

Soc. Sci.,local &regionalissues

Environmental Medical &healthcare

Appliedsciences

Biotechnology GIS &remotesensing

Energy Agriculture &Nat. Res.

male female

Considering a variety of factors, including the size of the country’s population, resources presently at its disposal and the range of national development issues at hand, the number of researchers appears woefully inadequate. Additionally, it would appear that interest in a number of supposed priority S&T disciplines and application domains is minimal, even totally absent. Examples of such activities include research activities concerned with one of Iraq’s main sources of wealth, namely oil, its extraction, processing and utilisation as raw material for a whole range of petrochemicals and a host of downstream industries.31

Initiatives aimed at tackling the dearth of manpower resources are apparently being pursued with particular vigour in the Kurdistan Region. However, as indicated in other parts of this report and in deed in many other previous reports on the subject, little or nothing may be achieved without the help of a comprehensive national science, technology and innovation (STI) policy. It is only through such a policy that Iraq would be able to tackle the entire range of issues, challenges and threats as well as make use of the opportunities and strengths it enjoys, in confronting overall

31 In drafting future policy articles and implementation strategies, it may be essential to establish contacts with relevant ministries for further information on research, activities in the oil and mineral extractive industries and petrochemicals, whether conducted at home or contracted to foreign institutions.

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44

national development. III. 3. 2. Financial Resources

Data concerning financial resources available to research centres and units were provided by only 22 institutions.32 As indicated above, data returned within completed questionnaires were grouped into four fields of activity, namely: energy and the environment, medical and life sciences, applied science and social science and humanities. Information on financial resources available to research institutions within these four categories is presented in tables (Annex II-C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5) in Annex II.33 Figure (III-7) summarises these tables’ contents. Together with these annex tables, this figure indicates that substantial allocations are made to research undertaken in two categories, namely the environment and the applied sciences.

It is to be noted that only one research centre concerned with energy research provided information on available financial resources. On the other hand, allocations made to environmental research might be exaggerated by the fact that the Marine Science Centre is included by the present review among

32 Many completed questionnaires received from research institutions towards the initial phases of the survey exercise did not include information on financial resources. In order not to loose the chance of obtaining information on other aspects of their work, it was decided to forego information on finances and relevant sections were therefore omitted from questionnaire forms sent to further research centres and units. This deficiency may be remedied in later stages targeting policy formulation and strategy design by collecting information directly from funding sources, such MoHESR.

33 It may be noted that, on account of limited information available about activities in the various research centres and units, as well as the fact that many other institutions did not provide data on financial resources available to them, only a rough classification could be attempted within the four fields of research.

centres dedicated to environmental research while at least some of its activities might in fact address issues that fall within adjacent or completely different fields.

Similar considerations apply to the group of research institutions active in the applied sciences. As constructed for the purposes of the present discussion, this group includes the Remote Sensing Centre of Mosul University which has an annual budget in excess of US$4.1 million. Clearly, here too research in the applied sciences would not fare as well as it appears to be doing had a different classification been adopted.

III. 3. 3. Research Output

Responses to the questionnaire survey included information on research output;34 mainly books authored and papers published, in both refereed and un-refereed journals, as well as prizes awarded in relation to services rendered to the nation or to specific Iraqi communities during the period 2005-2010. Tables (Annex II-D1 to D8) provide information on the distribution of research output across categories of responding research institutions. Table (III-2), presented below provides a summary of information included in the former set of tables.

34 Forty out of 47 responses included information on books, papers and articles published.

Typical houses, marshPhotographer: Bonsirven-Fontana, M.L.

45

Figure (III-7); Distribution of financial resources across research fields

(in thosands of US Dollars)

Applied sciences 5,679, 40%

Energy and environment, 6,862,

48%

Soc. Sci., humanities, local & regional res.

817, 6%

Medical and life sciences , 868, 6%

Table (III-2); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in Iraq over the years 2005-2010

Research fields/disciplinesResearch output

PrizesBooks Papers I Papers II

Energy - 7 67 -Agricultural - 130 6 -Biotechnology - 3 11 -Environmental 2 76 89 -Applied sciences35 2 52 159 2GIS and remote sensing 3 26 162 -Medical and Healthcare 93 84 121 18Local and Regional 38 11 216 10Economics and social sciences research 226 224 117 3Total 364 613 948 33

Books35

Over 360 books were reportedly published by Iraqi research institutions over the period 2005-2010, principally by institutions active in research targeting medical and healthcare, local and regional development as well as the social sciences issues. Incidentally, the latter category includes research in economics. Figure (III-8) presents a summary distribution of published books across these three areas of research activity, indicating a large share for the latter domain (63 percent), followed by books published on medicine and healthcare topics (26 percent) and those in fields related to local and regional development (11 percent).

Figure (III-8); Books published by research centres and units across research fields

Medicine and healthcare, 93, 26%

Local and regional affairs, 38, 11% Economics and

scocial sciences, 226, 63%

35 Includes Nanotechnology and polymer sciences research centres.

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Papers published in refereed and un-refereed journals

Research centres and units active in the social sciences, including economics, are also reported as having published the largest number of papers, mainly in refereed journals, while research institutions active in local and regional development take the lead in published articles in un-refereed journals. Research institutions in biotechnology and energy stand out as having published the least over the period 2005-2010. On the other hand, publications in refereed journals made by the small number of institutions active in agricultural research take second place next to that occupied by institutions active in economics and social science research.

It is noteworthy that the publications in refereed journals produced by the two relatively well-endowed areas of research activity, namely, the remote sensing and environment, take fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

In summary, a large proportion of publications produced over the years 2005-2010 by responding Iraqi research institutions was made in un-refereed journals. A fairly large proportion of these publications would appear to have been made on local and regional issues, followed by topics in the applied sciences and remote sensing with medical and healthcare trailing other institutions.

Figure (III-9); Papers published by research centres and units in refereed and un-refereed journals across research fields during 2005-2010

0

40

80

120

160

200

Agriculture Environment Medicine andhealthcare

Applied sciences Remote sensing Energy Biotechnology

Refereed journals Un-refereed journals

The present survey of research activity did not attempt an examination of citation measures, which would help indicate relative impact/utility of publications produced by Iraqi institutions.36 At any rate, it would appear that a much larger number of publications might have been expected from Iraq’s research community. As things stand an average of roughly one paper per researcher is reported as having published within the five year period, 2005-2010.

Figure (III-9) 37 presents a view of publications made by research centres and units active in selected areas of applied science and technology, medicine and healthcare, agriculture, the environment, remote sensing, energy and biotechnology. This figure clearly indicates predominance of research publications in un-refereed periodicals, for all fields with the exception of agriculture. The proportion of publications by centres and units active in environmental, medical and applied scientific research in refereed, compared to un-refereed periodicals, is considerable, at 47, 41 and 31 percent, respectively.38

36 Such an undertaking would have required financial resources not presently available.37 This figure excludes publications in social and political sciences and humanities and

allied studies and research, which by far exceed numbers of publications in all other fields.

38 It is not always clear, however, whether the refereed publications are in fact made in international or in national or regional journals.

47

Incidentally, the largest number of publications produced during the period 2005-2010 was made by Iraqi institutions active in studies and research in fields of social and political sciences and humanities. These centres published around 610 articles and papers in un-refereed periodicals and nearly 330 papers in refereed periodicals.

A relatively large proportion of articles produced by institutions active in remote sensing is eventually published in un-refereed journals. This would be expected in a field of technology that is relatively new to the country, and indeed the region. Thus, expertise in remote sensing technologies may not be expected to have developed significantly to enable original research meriting publication in refereed journals.

At any rate, closer analysis of the range of topics that constitute material for publication as well as the rate of citations associated with various fields of research would be needed in order to obtain a better picture of Iraq’s scientific research output.

PrizesResearch centres active in research on issues in medical and healthcare, local and regional research were foremost in terms of the number of prizes received (84 percent). Research institutions active in economics and other social sciences captured three prises with centres active in applied science received only two prizes over the period 2005-2010.

PatentsSome research centres did indicate that they had registered patents. 39 It would seem that all such patents were in fact registered with national authorities, rather than oversees patent offices. There is also strong likelihood that, at least in the case of one of the centres engaged in research on local and regional studies, the exaggerated number of patents reported may reflect a misunderstanding of the relevant query made in the original questionnaire. Table (III-3), summarises information provided by responding institutions. Notable in this table is the absence of patents registered by most research centres and units in the applied sciences and the large number of patents obtained by the Regional Studies Centre. Section IV of this chapter includes information on research output as derived from sources other than the questionnaire survey. 40

Table (III-3); Patents registered by research institutions in Iraq40

Biotechnology Research Centre 6

Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research 3

Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre 1

Polymer Research Centre 1

Regional Studies Centre 443

Spatial Research Unit 3

39 No indications are given as to where so many patents were registered. It is likely that the reported large number of patents registered is due to a misunderstanding of the term.

40 As reported in completer questionnaire forms received during July August 2011.

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III. 3. 4. Research Cooperation

Cooperation, among sister research institutions, with end-user government departments and overseas partners is now an indispensable feature of modern scientific endeavour. For a variety of reasons, this does not seem to be the case as yet with regard to the majority of Iraqi research institutions. Thus, returned questionnaires had scant information on cooperative research activities, regardless of partners.

Seventeen universities responding to a previous UNESCO survey41 reported in 2004 that only twelve joint research projects were in progress since 1992. Half of these research projects were conducted in cooperation with French institutions in fields such as pharmacy, law, architecture and archaeology. Two research projects in agriculture were carried out jointly with the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), in Syria. The remaining two projects were undertaken in cooperation with institutions in the United States and Germany, in electronics and archaeology, respectively.

Tables (Annex II.EI, II.E2, II-E3 and II-E4) in the annex to this report present information concerning research cooperation. A more detailed view of cooperation undertaken by research centres and units in Iraq, with national universities and research centres is presented in table (Annex II-E1). Similar information concerning cooperation with ministries and government departments is presented in table (Annex II-E2), while table (Annex II-E3) includes information on cooperation between Iraqi research institutions with international organisations and overseas universities.

Tables (A-III.1), (A-III.2) and (A-III.3), in appendix (III) below, summarise entries in the aforementioned tables, with the total number of projects undertaken in cooperation with other

41 (UNESCO 2004).

institutions as well as corresponding percentages of cooperative projects in relation to the total number of projects being implemented by the institution in question. Table (Annex II-E4), indicates that cooperative activities were undertaken by under one third of responding research institutions.

Out of all responding research institutions, eight acknowledged cooperation with national universities and institutions of higher education, eleven indicated that they had cooperative links to ministries and government departments, while only seven research institutions mentioned that they cooperated with international organisations and overseas universities. At least two institutions; namely the Polymer Research Centre and the Remote Sensing Centre of Mosul University appeared to dedicate 80 and 100 percent of their research effort, respectively, to cooperation with one partner institution. On the other hand, the majority of other institutions conducted far smaller percentages of their research effort within cooperative ventures.

It may be noted that research institutions undertaking cooperative activity do not include some of the larger research centres. On the other hand, it would appear that some of the more recently established institutions appear more ready to take up cooperative ventures. This is particularly the case with regard to the recently established research entities created in the Kurdistan Region. Frame (III-2), provides an outline of deliberations that took place at a recent international meeting held towards the end of 2010, in Erbil, with the express purpose of promoting greater cooperation with a variety of, mainly university research, institutions from all over the world. The bulk of initiatives announced as a result of this conference, is aimed at human capacity development, with view to creation of new generations of researchers or further training of university staff members. However,

49

while it must be supposed that such initiatives can only bring about positive developments at many levels, the fact that they seem to proceed with little reference to overall policy guidelines may limit their ultimate impact. Thus, as the section on obstacles to scientific research in Iraq shows, human capacity development is but one aspect in need of attention, with other aspects including budgetary resources, improved infrastructures in addition to engagement in effective goal oriented research collaboration. 42 43 44

42 “International Conference on Revitalizing Research in Kurdistan;” Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, 14-16 December, 2010.

43 Universities from the following countries took part: Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Jordan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United States.

44 Reference should be made to the document titled: “A Roadmap to Quality: Reforming the System of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.” Issued by H. E. Mr. Dlawer A. Ala’Aldeen. Kurdistan, Iraq (2010). This document was provided by Dr. B. Khailany as a pdf file. (MoHESR 2010)

Considering all of the above, and despite recent attempts at remedies, it would be fair to state that cooperative research activity is inadequate. This is especially the case since many research institutions are reported as still suffering various shortages which would normally prompt greater cooperation. 45 46 47

III. 3. 5. Obstacles to research activityThe questionnaire form used in the survey included a table designed to sound responding institutions on issues they considered as likely obstacles to their research activities. Questions included in the survey questionnaire were divided into the following categories:- Management policies and how they

45 This is intended in support for the Kurdistan Government’s Human Capacity Development Programme (HCDP).

46 For this purpose memoranda of understanding were authored and signed during the Conference.

47 In addition several centres of excellence concluded direct agreements with universities of the Kurdistan Region.

Chapter Three

Frame (III-2); International Conference on Revitalizing Research in Kurdistan

Raising standards of scientific research through enhancing the capacity of human resources is considered one of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s main priorities. This prompted the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region to hold an international Conference42 under the theme “Bridging the Research Gap.” Around 110 universities and educational associations from 18 countries were represented.43

The principal objective of the Conference was to promote a “Strategy for Reforming Higher Education in Kurdistan.”44 Fostering links between higher education institutions in Kurdistan and their counterparts across the world is considered by this strategy as one of the most effective ways to revitalize research activity in the universities of the Kurdistan Region. Other issues addressed by the strategy include reform of various institutional and procedural modalities currently in place.

Workshops held during the Conference discussed a variety of international cooperation schemes as well as promotion of cooperative scholarship programmes with well-known international centres of excellence.45 Issues discussed included instituting “split-site” PhD programmes, identifying and stimulating sites for sabbaticals, and initiating joint research collaboration with international universities.46 The following is a brief summary of the main outcomes of the Conference.

The Human Capacity Development Programme: Cooperative agreements were discussed and many were approved with the aim of providing graduate education and training at several universities abroad.

Collaborative Research: PhD and post-doctoral level research positions were offered by several, mainly European universities.

Split-site PhD’s: Programs were initiated for Split-site doctoral programs in which supervision would be shared by professors from the Region’s universities and counterparts abroad.

Sabbatical and post-doctorate opportunities: Agreements were initiated with aimed at exchange of academic staff as visiting researchers on sabbatical programmes for periods of six - twelve months.

Additionally, several universities indicated interest in the development and delivery of jointly awarded research degrees. Establishing research centres in areas of interest for the Kurdistan Region was also discussed with several ideas to pursue in the near future. Memoranda of Understanding were signed with 17 universities with the above cooperation objectives in mind. Additionally, 23 other universities indicated their interest in signing similar memoranda in the near future, following

further consultations.47


50

impacted priorities, distribution of responsibilities, financial resources and information as well as time taken up by administrative tasks;

- Critical mass in expert, support and administrative staff as well as graduate students;

- Initial and further training in relation to technicians, university graduates as well as higher level staff;

- Budgetary resources available to the entire centre/unit and to selected projects/disciplines within;

- Access to information through conventional means, periodicals, reference material, databases and other ICT-based resources on the web;

- Physical infrastructure, including crucial laboratory equipment items and ICT facilities;

- Coordination and cooperation with Other R&D centres and units as well as national universities and institutes of higher education and international organizations.

Table (III-5) provides a list of individual statements which responding institutions were asked to grade within obstacles within the above categories. While table (III-4) provides a rankings that responding institutions were requested to use grading difficulties encountered within each category of obstacles.

Table (III.4); Key to rankings used to rate obstacles encountered by research institutions

High 5 Considerable 4 Limited 3 Low 2Not an obstacle

1

As indicated in table (III-4), evaluation of individual obstacles in each one of the above categories was requested in the questionnaire, based on a score from 1-5, in order of impact of the obstacle in question on research activity. Thus a high score would indicate greater difficulties encountered in a given category.

A relatively high percentage of responding research institutions filled the part on obstacles, for which entries were then summarized and tabulated in preparing the present review report. Tables in the annex to this part of this report include averages of scores given to the above obstacles by responding institutions. Charts based on this table are presented and discussed below.

Averages of scores given to all obstacle categories are given in table (Annex II-F1), in the annex to this review report.. Table (Annex II-F2) provides averages of average scores across all obstacle

categories. Tables (Annex II-F3 to III-F9), which were derived from the latter table include averages of average scores across categories for institutions grouped into the following classes:

- All applied science institutions;- Selected applied science institutions,

including research centres and units involved in university centres with no specific indication of area or domain of activity as well as individual centres concerned with topics that are not taken up by other centres in the country, e.g. polymer science, biomathematics;

- Energy and environment research centres and units;

- Agricultural research institutions;- Global information systems and

remote sensing centres and units;- Research centres concerned with

Medical and healthcare issues;- Social science and humanities

research institutions.

51

It goes without saying that grades awarded to individual statements listed in table (III-5) are bound to be somewhat subjective and may well be influenced by institutional politics and management issues. However, taken in bulk they should indicate areas where major obstacles do exist, and for which remedies must be found and implemented.48of institutions fared slightly better than the former two groups.

Table (III-5); List of categories and individual entries on which responses were sought by research centres and units taking part in the questionnaire survey

Averages of average scores across all obstacle categories might be taken as an indication of the level of impact a given obstacle has as perceived by institutions within the categories considered, i.e. management policy, critical mass, training, financial resources, information access, infrastructure as well as coordination and cooperation modalities.

Averages of scores given by all responding institutions range widely between 1.7 and 4.9. See table (Annex II-F2) in annex II. However, scores were in most cases on the high side, indicating a higher level of perceived obstacles encountered by research entities in general. Thus, the average of averages accorded by all responding institutions to all categories of obstacles is estimated at 3.4. Significant variation is observed between institutions as to their individual and average scores. More than 78 percent of responding institutions produced average scores higher than 2.5, nearly 70 percent scored obstacles at averages exceeding 3.0, while 37 percent of all responding institutions gave an average of scores across obstacle categories higher than 4.0.

In other words, this latter group of institutions may be considered as suffering serious difficulties with issues in most if not all areas ranging from management policies to cooperation and coordination arrangements.

The average of averages of all scores awarded by all responding institutions stood at around 3.5. Corresponding values for all applied sciences, on the one hand, and social and political sciences and humanities on the other, fell between 3.4 and 3.5. The average score of scores given by institutions active in medical and healthcare as well as agricultural research fell lowest at 3.2, indicating that the latter two groups

Management policiesManagement policies often result in:

Poorly defined priorities

Uneven distribution of human resources

Uneven distribution of financial resources

Insufficient incentives

Inefficient dissemination of information

Too much time taken up by administrative tasks

Critical massInadequate number of:

Specialist in crucial areas

Technicians

University graduates

Higher level staff

Support and administrative staff

TrainingInadequate initial training for:

Technicians


Higher level staff

TrainingInadequate further training for:

Technicians


Higher level staff

Budgetary resourcesInadequate for:

The entire centre / unit

Selected projects / disciplines with in the centre/unit

Access to informationThrough:

Conventional means; periodicals, reference material

Databases and other ICT based resources on the web

InfrastructureInadequacies in:

Physical infrastructure

Crucial laboratory equipment items

ICT facilities (PCs, laptops & access to the web)

Coordination and cooperation Inadequate with regard to:

Other R&D centres / units and national universities / institutes of higher education

Relevant international organizations

48 Furthermore, while analyzing answers to questions concerning obstacles, it was felt that several respondents were not attuned to the methodology. Nevertheless, efforts were made to include all meaningful scores.

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As indicated in table (III-6), some variation is also noticeable between subgroups of institutions within the group of applied science research institutions. Thus, institutions active in areas related to global information systems (GIS) and remote sensing produced group-average scores of around 3.8, somewhat higher than the average for all applied science research institutions, of around 3.5, while institutions engaged in agricultural research may be faring slightly better than average, as they scored 3.4.

Figure (III-10) provides a view of average scores assigned by responding institutions across categories of obstacles. The fact that obstacles related to budgetary resources are rated highest is noteworthy. Difficulties relating to cooperation and coordination are rated second to budgetary resources. While, the questionnaire form could not provide extensive reasons why this was the case, it may be argued that this score fits in with a view, expressed in numerous sources, of research institutions leading a relatively isolated existence. It may also be interpreted generally in terms of greater need for collaboration with similar institutions both nationally and internationally. In any case, this issue is worth considerable attention from a variety of perspectives.

Table (III-6); Average scores awarded by groups of research institutions which responded to the questionnaire survey to categories of obstacles

All responding institutions

All applied science

institutions

Selected applied sciences

Agricultural science and

allied research

Medicine and healthcare

Energy and

environmental research

GIS and rem

ote sensing

Social and political science and hum

anities

Budgetary resources 3.88 4.02 3.92 4.21 3.65 3.88 4.33 3.73

Initial training 3.48 3.47 3.53 3.23 3.37 3.46 3.77 3.61

Further training 3.43 3.47 3.62 3.19 3.24 3.38 3.77 3.52Cooperation and coordination

3.63 3.84 3.85 3.71 3.15 3.81 4.17 3.50

Critical mass 3.27 3.33 3.62 3.23 2.82 3.23 2.73 3.49

Infrastructure 3.45 3.54 3.53 3.36 3.30 3.34 4.57 3.33

Access to information 3.34 3.55 3.71 2.64 3.00 3.56 5.0 3.09

Management policies 3.11 3.13 3.09 3.19 3.12 3.48 2.23 3.05

Average scores 3.45 3.54 3.61 3.35 3.13 3.52 3.8 3.42

Institutions operating in all areas of applied scientific research also rate budgetary resources as a leading obstacle, or a major source thereof. See figure (III-11).49 The overall picture provided by average scores of all applied science institutions, is counterintuitive in other respects. Thus, critical mass, addressed in the questionnaire at a variety of levels, including, among professionals, technical staff and graduate students, is not rated, as might well have been expected, as an important obstacle.

49 Scores by thirty institutions active in research and studies in fields excluding medical and healthcare disciplines as well as social and political sciences and humanities were used in figure (III-11). The names of these institutions are listed in table (Annex II-F3).

53

The view, offered by the group of research institutions operating in medical and healthcare domains, figure (III-12),50 is supportive of that taken by applied science institutions with respect to the importance of budgetary resources as major sources of obstacles. However, the former group of institutions place the need for improved initial training of research staff at a higher level than the latter. Nevertheless, it may well be argued that, in view of the close average rankings awarded to initial training by both groups of institutions, initial training is in deed a problem in need of urgent attention. 51

Figure (III-10); Averages of scores awarded by 52 research institutions to perceived

obstacles

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Figure (III-11); Averages of scores awarded by 30 research institutions active in all areas

of applied scientific research to perceived obstacles

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Figure (III-13) presents scores awarded by responding institutions active in research and studies within social and political science disciplines and the humanities. This figure tends to present a more even view of cooperation and coordination, infrastructure, further training, critical mass, as well as initial training as sources of obstacles, with these categories attaining scores that average about, or higher than, 3.5. Management policies are considered a lesser source of problems than the rest of obstacle categories.

Turning to the view provided by subgroups of research institutions active in applied scientific research, it is worth noting that both the group of institutions active in agricultural research, figure (III-14) as well as those involved in energy and environment related research, figure (III-15), rate budgetary resources as well as cooperation and coordination highly as sources of obstacles to their operations. It is also worth noting that institutions active in agricultural research, figure (III-14) consider poor infrastructures as well as the lack of training, access to information, critical mass and management policies almost equally important obstacles that face their operations. In line with other groups of research institutions budgetary resources are assigned highest rank as obstacles, while access to information is allocated the lowest level

50 Medical and healthcare centres whose assessments of obstacles encountered were used in constructing this figure are as follows: Medical Appliances Re-placements Research Unit, Cancer and Medical Genetics Research, Hemoglobinopathy Unit, National Diabetes Centre, Clinical Zoonotic Diseases Research Unit, Zoonotic Diseases Research Unit, Medical Research Unit, Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit, Biological unit for Tropical Diseases and Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Research.

51 Around 3.8 by institutions active in medical and healthcare research and around 3.7 in applied science research

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54

of importance as a source of obstacles. On the other hand, institutions involved in energy and environment related research rank information access as third in terms of importance as a source of likely obstacles to their operations.

Figure (III-12); Averages of scores awarded by ten research institutions active in medical and healthcare research to

perceived obstacles

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

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Figure (III-13); Averages of scores awarded by eleven research institutions active in

social and political sciences and humanities to perceived obstacles

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Obstacles perceived by institutions52 active in energy and environmental research and related technologies are allocated higher than average scores, with a relatively narrow margin of difference, less than 0.5, between highest and lowest scores allocated to various obstacles but with budgetary allocations assigned highest scores.

Institutions active in agricultural research appear to regard the lack of further training as a greater source of likely obstacles than access to information, which comes last in terms of their score averages. On the other hand, institutions involved in energy and environment related research rank information access as third in terms of importance as a source of likely obstacles to their operations.

Figure (III-16) presents a view of obstacles perceived by twelve research institutions active in selected areas of research in the applied sciences.53 Research units and centres in this category perceive obstacles as higher than average, in terms of seriousness or difficulty, with a rather wide margin of difference, around 1.0, between highest and lowest scores allocated to various obstacles but with budgetary allocations assigned highest scores.

The view presented by average scores assigned by the groups of institutions active in GIS and remote sensing systems offers more differentiated assessment of the

52 Centres and units whose average scores for obstacle encountered were used in constructing this figure are: Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit, Energy and Fuel Research Centre, Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre, Environmental Pollution Research Unit , Environmental Research Centre, Environmental Research Unit (Kirkuk Univ.), Local Environmental Research Centre and Renewable Energies Research Unit.

53 Centres and units whose average scores for obstacle encountered were used in constructing this figure are: Applied Sciences Research Unit, Biomathematics Unit, Cell and Biotechnology Research Unit, Chemical Research Unit, Dohuk Research Centre, General Directorate of Research Centre (SUH), Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre, Polymer Research Centre, Polymer Research Unit, Quality Research Unit, Research Unit for Die Design and Manufacturing and Water Desalination Research Unit.

55

various obstacle categories as sources of likely hindrance to their activities. This may partly be due to the smaller number of institutions within this group countering the tendency for scores to cancel one another, when averages are computed. On the other hand, since these are centres operating at the forefront of technology in their respective domains, it is perhaps natural that infrastructures, defined mainly with reference to instrumentation, computing facilities, etc., score least in terms of likely sources of hindrance. Incidentally, this group of institutions is the only one that awarded management policies the highest rank in terms of likely obstacles. While based on a sample of only three institutions, the reasons for this high ranking is worth pursuing further.

With uniform average scores, the remaining institutions active in applied scientific research offer a different picture of obstacles to that presented by other groups of research institutions. Thus, institutions in this group awarded almost equal scores, of around 3.5, to five likely sources of obstacles, namely, infrastructure, information access, critical mass, management policies and further training.

Figure (III-14); Averages of scores awarded by seven research institutions active in

agricultural, natural resources and allied research to perceived obstacles

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Figure (III-15); Averages of scores awarded by eight research institutions active in energy and environmental research to

perceived obstacles

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Figure (III-16); Averages of scores awarded by twelve research institutions active in

selected areas of applied science to perceived obstacles

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Figure (III-17); Averages of scores awarded by three research institutions active in remote

sensing and GIS research to perceived obstacles

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III. 3. 6. Information and Communications Technology Resources

The level of information and communications technology (ICT) resources available to Iraqi research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey must be judged as inadequate. Thus, around 600 PCs or laptops appear to be dedicated to research undertaken by around 560 active researchers, and about twice this number of other employees charged with support and administrative duties. See figure (III-18).

Figure (III-18); Number of PCs and laptops available to responding research institutions

in Iraq

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sThe ratio of PCs and laptops to research staff as reported by responding institutions is by no means uniform. With a reported maximum value of 5, and, much lower values, reaching 0.1, in a number of instances. See table (Annex II-G1) in the annex to this chapter.The situation with regard to internet access is not much better. This is the case on two scores: availability of broadband in only a limited number of cases and the apparent lack of awareness by responding institutions of relevant terminology, which must reflect negatively on their access to web resources.

The distribution of PCs and laptops across categories of research institutions, presented by figure (III-19), is based on information returned by over 40 research institutions as to available ICT resources. See tables (Annex II-G2 to III-G6) in Annex II-G. Figure (III-19) indicates that institutions dedicated to environmental and energy research as well as institutions active in GIS and remote sensing possess the highest ratios of PC/laptop resources. It is also noteworthy that research centres dedicated to the social sciences and humanities possess a similar ratio of PC/laptop resources to research centres active in medical and life sciences. However, these ratios maybe somewhat misleading due to variation in the average numbers of researchers and total staff employed in various categories of research institutions.

Figure (III-19); Average number of PCs and laptops per research institution across categories of research institutoions

Selected app. sci., 4

Soc. sci. local & regional issues, 11

Energy & environment, 23

GIS & remote sensing, 17

Medical & healthcare, 8

Agriculture and natural resources,

11

Of note is the fact that a fairly large proportion of responding institutions left questions enquiring about internet access and the availability of intranet networks unanswered. Thus, only around one third of responding institutions did in fact include information about internet bandwidth in returned questionnaires.

More to the point is that very few responses, around one seventh of the total, gave appropriate units to figures quoted for internet bandwidth. Above all, this must be taken as an indication of the need for further training of staff in basic ICT skills.

Only four of responding institutions, less than ten percent, gave figures regarding

57

expenditures dedicated to ICT facilities.54 And, only one response may be judged as adequate in relation to the institution’s size and orientations.

In concluding this section on the results of the questionnaire survey, it would be well to keep the following important points in mind:

- many responding institutions had difficulties in completing the questionnaire;

- it would appear that such difficulties were not confined to linguistic abilities of those charged with filling in required information;

- that responding institutions could not provide information that is normally available to the office of the director or to planning and monitoring units clearly indicates that their planning and monitoring functions are not up to the task.

III. 4. Research priorities in Iraq and neighbouring countries55

Underscoring priority research issues is a primary task for STI policies and roadmaps, which are either lacking, inadequate or in need of review in various countries around the region. Formulating a comprehensive STI roadmap for Iraq is especially important considering this country’s recent history and the backlog of socioeconomic problem.

On a related matter, considering the important role played STI collaboration,

54 It is to be noted that the figure given by the Marine Science Centre may be exaggerated, or misquoted. It seems unlikely that this centre could have spent the sum of more than US$ one million on ICT facilities alone over the past five years. On the other hand, this centre does enjoy one of the largest annual budgets.

55 Part this section is adapted from documents provided by the MoHESR in the Kurdistan Region.

it would be essential for Iraq’s policy makers to look into STI systems established by neighbouring countries, to which Iraq is linked through which socioeconomic as well as cultural and political ties.

This section will firstly take a look at efforts made towards establishing research priorities in Iraq. Next, it takes a look at research priorities in selected neighbouring countries as expressed through these countries’ global share of publications in selected research areas. While this may not be a rigorous measure of the level of priority awarded by a given country to a discipline of field of enquiry, it may be a good guide for Iraq’s STI decision makers to consult when forging research links with neighbouring countries.

III. 4. 1. Iraq’s research priorities

Researcher training is accorded a high order of priority in documents detailing elements of a higher education strategies adopted by official sources in Iraq. Thus, strategy documents devised by both the Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region’s Governments56 emphasise the need to train a new generation of researchers. Measures proposed in this document include intensive English training as well as study tours for researchers at existing and new research facilities. New Masters degree graduates are also targeted in recruiting researchers to work in existing and newly established research centres.

A principal goal, highlighted by members of the Kurdish Scientific Community, is summarised as having researchers in the region undertake scientific research projects on priority development issues. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Region is reported in favour of setting up a system for the evaluation of scientific

56 The actual formulation of the Kurdistan Region’s strategy was intended as an interactive exercise involving wide participation by professors active in higher education institutions.

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research proposals, whereby proposals are classified according to their priority levels, based on criteria including:

• benefits for, and responsiveness to, local needs, in terms of social, environmental, health and resource development;57

• degree to which international collaboration is involved;

• potential for creating business opportunities;

• capacity building and help in adjusting to advances in science and technology over the last two decades.

Furthermore, the Ministry intends to classify research priorities into nine categories with regard to beneficiary sectors or fields of application. See Frame (III.3). While sector-specific priorities are defined for each one of the categories, highest priority is accorded to projects with outcomes impacting health, water, environment and electric power generation in the Region.

The following paragraphs provide summaries on these priorities as outlined in documents authored for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Region.

Frame (III.3); Categories of research projects; according to beneficiary sectors

or fields of application

• Health;• Water resources and water pollution• Environment• Energy• Agriculture• Veterinary and livestock• Biotechnology and genetics• Communications• Information technology

Health: Priorities in the health sector revolve around restoration and modernization of public health services. Within this sector emphasis is placed upon compilation of reliable statistics on health related issues for the Region, research

57 From documents provided by the MoHESR in the Kurdistan Region

leading to early diagnosis and treatment of cancers as well as prevention and treatment of common diseases.

Environmental pollutionThe environment in Iraq suffered serious damage on account of the war years as well as the breakdown of services all over the country following the country’s invasion in 2003. In 2005, the Environmental Sustainability Index classified 146 countries with regard to a number of criteria including population density, existing environmental amelioration plans and management procedures designed to protect natural resources, placing Iraq very close to the bottom of the list at 143.58 See tables (III-7) and (III-8) below. Highest priority is to be accorded to research projects leading to improved capacity for: (a) characterizing the state of environment were it is damaged or threatened; (b) dealing with agricultural and industrial pollution, with special emphasis on the impact of such pollution on potable water resources; (c) tackling issues that link environment to public health, e.g. in areas such as air pollution. Related to the latter issue, and indeed to overall efforts aimed at protection of environmental resources is research on town planning and on construction materials.

AgricultureIraq possesses rich agricultural resources that could be much better utilized. Highest priorities for this sector are for the application of biotechnology, including tissue culture, as well as genetic engineering to enhance yields and resistance to pests. The introduction and maintenance of integrated pest management practices and seed

58 With few exceptions most Arab countries are confined to positions close to the bottom of the list of the 146 countries for which the values of index are available.

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preservation59 are two further research domains allocated special attention.

Water resourcesAlong with a number of Arab countries, Iraq is classified as suffering serious water stress.60, 61 Due to heavy pollution of water resources as well as the creation of numerous dams, in Syria and Turkey, availability of clean water for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses has become an area of major concern. Within this sector, emphasis is being placed upon research leading to improvement in monitoring water quality, waste water collection and treatment, water recycling as well as improvement of available water distribution infrastructures. Research enabling the country to attain the following objectives is also to be accorded a high level of priority:• Optimization of water allocation among the three major domains of utilization,

i.e. agriculture, industrial and municipal applications;62

• Integrated approaches to water supplies, demand planning and management;• Capacity building and technical upgrading of all stakeholders, starting with the

largest consumers and worst polluters;• Design of sustainable water policies based on current data and research into

prospective water consumption patterns.

Table (III-7), Values of the Environmental Sustainability Index for Arab CountriesEgypt Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Mauritania

115 143 84 138 129 125 124

Oman Saudi Arabia Syria Sudan Tunisia U.A.E. Yemen

83 136 118 140 55 110 137

EnergyEnergy for use in industrial, agricultural and domestic applications is another broad area of priority for scientific research in Iraq. Urgent priorities within the energy sector include ensuring adequate supply, transmission and distribution of stable electrical power to all locations. Enhancing potential for further exploration and identification of new economically exploitable resources are also indicated as areas of research emphasis in the energy sector.Veterinary and livestock breadingThe highest priorities include the development of genetic standards, improving local cattle breeding techniques as well as the development of dairy products. Additionally, the development of more efficient vaccination programmes is also assigned a high order of priority. It is noteworthy that development of capabilities in biotechnology and genetics with view to improving yields and varieties do not seem to have been included among research priorities.

59 It is likely that appropriate techniques for seed preservation are quite readily attainable. Therefore, at a first glance, this is probably not a good candidate for a research priority, unless it is some exotic variety, not covered, as yet, by research carried out elsewhere in the world.

60 Countries are categorized as suffering serious water stress when the quantity of water available to its population falls in the range 100-200 cubic metres per annum, or between 5,000 and 10,000 persons per million cubic metres annually.

61 The Arab Human Development Report, 2009. Quoting the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, UN-ESCWA 2007.

62 The kind of research referred to here could involve the development of water resource management models simulating a variety of scenarios in order to select optimal approaches, with models attuned to specific sectors and utilization patterns.

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Biotechnology and genetic engineering

Laboratory equipment essential for biotechnology and genetics research is generally not available, or in very short supply in Iraq.63 Hence, one of the main priorities would be to ensure that proper research tools are made available. In addition, particular attention would need to be accorded to application of biotechnology and genetic engineering techniques to medical and public health research. Priorities in this category include the preservation of genetic material as well as applications of genetic engineering to the treatment of cancer, emphasizing leukaemia.

Table (III-8); Levels of organic water pollutants in selected Arab countries

Emissions of organic water

pollutants (metric tons/day) 1990

Emissions of organic water

pollutants (metric tons/day) 2003

Emissions of organic water pollutants (kg/

worker/day) 1990

Emissions of organic water pollutants (kg/

worker/day) 2003

Egypt 211.5 186.1 0.2 0.2Algeria 107 … 0.25 ..Tunisia 44.6 55.8 0.18 0.14Morocco 41.7 72.1 0.14 0.16Iraq 26.7 … 0.19 ..Syria 21.7 15.1 0.22 0.2Saudi Arabia 18.5 .. 0.15 ...Kuwait 9.1 11.9 0.16 0.17Jordan 8.3 23.5 0.19 0.18Yemen 6.9 15.4 0.27 0.23UAE 5.6 .. 0.14 ..Oman 0.4 5.8 0.11 0.17Sudan .. 38.6 .. 0.29Lebanon .. 14.9 .. 0.19Libya .. .. .. ..

Source: Arab Human Development Report, 2009, quoting the World Bank 2007.

Information and telecommunications technologiesAdvanced information and telecommunications technologies play an essential enabling role in scientific research as well as overall development. Iraq has largely been left behind many other countries, including developing, and even some underdeveloped, countries around the world. A good deal of adaptation of these technologies is often a principal condition for reaping optimal benefits. Hence, one of the more urgent priorities in research conducted on information and telecommunications technologies is to enhance access to broadband Internet services as well as improve data networks of a variety of types and applications. Steps have already been taken in this respect with the university hubs and training centres dedicated to computer networking technologies. With particular reference to information technology, there is general agreement that ICT literacy is limited even within segments of the research community. Additionally, it would not be possible to achieve optimal benefits for overall development while ICT literacy among the general public in the Region. Hence, priorities in the ICT sector include the development and dissemination of ICT skills as widely as possible and attaining high-level expertise in computer engineering with emphasis on computer networking and data security with view to full participation in the digital age.

63 The statement is taken from a document on priorities in the Kurdistan Region. It is generalised here since it is highly likely that it applies for the entire country. However, information gained during the UNESCO/Iraq meeting held 12th - 14th one of the participants made presentation on the Dohuk Research Centre in which it was stated that this Centre was well equipped to undertake research on a variety of advanced biotechnology and genetics research, with, for example proven capabilities for DNA analysis.

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III. 4. 2. Research priorities in Iraq’s neighbouring countriesA view of the distribution of research output in Iraq and a number of close neighbours is presented in table (III-9).64 It may be noted that this distribution in many ways mirrors Iraq’s own research priorities. Consulting information of this nature should, therefore, be helpful in identifying regional research partners. In this table, research output of a group of the fourteen countries in the region is listed on the basis of the group’s percentage of world output in each field for the years 2005 to 2009. Columns on the left include, for comparison purposes, their output and percent share over the earlier five-year period, 2000 to 2004. The column on the extreme right provides rankings for each discipline, out of the twenty-one fields covered65 based on its rate of growth, between the two five-year periods, in terms of the number of papers published.

Table (III-9) clearly indicates that engineering had the highest world share for the region during the period 2005-2009. Agricultural sciences came close behind. Additionally growth in publications produced in the latter domain, was pronounced, ranking among the five top-most increases in paper output recently. Clinical medicine and chemistry also show comparatively high absolute and relative publications output from the group. Nevertheless, growth in these two fields has been more modest than that exhibited by engineering and agriculture.

Mathematics, computer science and microbiology witnessed substantial growth between the two five-year periods. And, despite their low initial ranking amongst fields, shown in the table in terms of percent share, the social sciences exhibited the highest rate of growth during 2005-2009.

Table (III-9); Fields of research ranked by global share* for 2005-2009 held by fourteen countries in the Middle East◊

2000-2004Field

2005-2009 Rank of this field by …Count of papers

Share (%) of world

Count of papers

Share (%) of world World share Recent

growth‡

10,811 3.46 Engineering 23,712 5.41 1 9

2,389 3.20 Agricultural Sciences 5,756 5.13 2 5

23,977 2.81 Clinical Medicine 47,201 4.37 3 14

13,288 2.70 Chemistry 25,200 4.07 4 17

4,132 2.31 Materials Science 9,651 3.90 5 7

5,184 2.26 Plant & Animal Science 11,120 3.83 6 11

2,472 3.37 Pharmacology & Toxicology 3,591 3.62 7 21

2,010 1.98 Mathematics 4,986 3.56 8 3

2,191 2.15 Environment/Ecology 4,676 3.24 9 12

1,653 1.61 Computer Science 4,063 2.90 10 4

2,119 1.89 Geosciences 3,967 2.67 11 19

6,171 1.56 Physics 11,852 2.40 12 16

765 1.12 Microbiology 1,928 2.20 13 2

3,055 1.20 Biology & Biochemistry 5,869 2.07 14 15

1,408 1.07 Neuroscience & Behaviour 3,046 1.97 15 10

1,088 0.70 Social Sciences 4,399 1.93 16 1

◊ Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.* Percentage of world output on Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge)‡ Growth rates (the difference between the five-year periods 2000-2004 and 2005-2009) are not dependent on the current world share. The research portfolio is dynamic.

Source: “Global Research Report, Exploring the Changing Landscape of Arabian, Persian and Turkish Research.” J. Adams et al.; February 2011. Thomson Reuters Science. ISBN: 1–904431–27–5.

64 Fourteen countries are covered by data presented in the table: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

65 According to the classification scheme in Essential Science Indicators; http://thomsonreuters.com/.

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Analysis of the fields in which the largest five producers of research publications were active during the period 2005-2009 reveals common areas of focus. A few areas remain specific to particular countries, however. See also table (A-III.5) in appendix 5 to this chapter. Thus, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia exhibit common focus on fields of engineering, agricultural sciences, chemistry, pharmacology, materials science, and mathematics, roughly in this same order. Among differences in research concentration the following stand out:- Egypt exhibits a focus in physical

sciences, but also has a large share in pharmacology;

- Physical sciences seem a priority for Iran also;

- Jordan’s largest world share is in environmental sciences and ecology;

- Saudi Arabia and Turkey contribute the most of the five nations in clinical medicine;

- Saudi Arabia’s top field in world share is mathematics;

- Turkey’s top field in world share is in the agricultural sciences.

With respect to highly cited papers,66 Table (III-9) reveals the following:- Some 1.7 percent of Iran’s output in

mathematics attained highly cited status for the period 2000-2009, while figures for Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt were 1.5%, 1.5%, and 1.0%.

- Around 1.5% of Turkey’s output qualified as highly cited, whereas 1.3% of Iran’s achieved that status.

- In fact, mathematics and engineering enjoy both a relatively high volume of output as well as a high rate of citations. Additionally, Egypt and Saudi Arabia scores are higher than the world’s average in citation impact in mathematics. Turkey, on the other hand, exceeds the world’s average in engineering.

- Among all fields, mathematics and engineering typically ranked in first or second position with regard to the

66 Defined as those that rank in the top 1% by citations for their field and year of publication.

percentage of highly cited papers for each of the five nations.

III. 5. Research activity in Iraq and the region

As repeatedly stated by several authors,67 scientific research in the Arab countries of the Middle East and North Africa has lagged far behind that of the West as well as that undertaken in a variety of other developing countries. And, while individual scientists from the region have made significant contributions to human knowledge through research they did in the developed countries of the West, the region’s publication and citation indicators describe a situation that is far less than satisfactory. It would certainly be oversimplifying things to assume that the backwardness of scientific research in Iraq and the region as a whole is due to a single cause, or indeed a limited number of causes. However, quite a number of relevant causes may be ascribed to development models adopted by the Arab countries of the region. In all these countries almost total reliance upon imported technology with minimal if any intervention by national cadres is the rule rather than the exception. The following sections present essential notions and available information on research orientations, university research output, research publications, theses and dissertations followed by an overview of research activity in the region.

III. 5. 1. Research orientations

Humanity could not prosper without the benefits of both pure and applied scientific research. However, in many parts of the world scientific research

67 Including most recently, Nobel Laureate A. Zewail in the “Global Research Report, Exploring the Changing Landscape of Arabian, Persian and Turkish Research.” J. Adams et al.; February 2011. Thomson Reuters Science. ISBN: 1–904431–27–5.

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is more frequently performed with the intention of problem solving than in seeking knowledge for its own sake. This is the case in many developing countries such as Iraq, where the need is greater than anywhere else to direct both human and financial resources towards solving critical, even urgent, problems linked to socioeconomic development and environmental deterioration.This, of course, is not to say that pure scientific research is no business for developing countries. On the contrary, pure scientific research performs a number of crucial roles at many levels, even in developing countries, such as Iraq and its neighbours. Some of the benefits of pure scientific research are more obvious than others. Thus, engaging in such research is essential for maintaining quality in higher education institutions and often facilitates entry of national researchers into international scientific arena with tangible results that reflect upon human capital formation and even economic development. There are also numerous cultural benefits that some may find difficult to appreciate. In essence, however, a country’s contribution to expanding human knowledge, in scope and in depth, will always reflect upon its status among other nations with plenty of other benefits, material and otherwise, to follow.Available information on scientific research in Iraq does not indicate activity on the basic research front. While understandable for a variety of reasons, this is a situation that needs to be addressed in the proposed STI policy and future research funding plans.

III. 5. 2. University research output

Publication of research papers is an essential condition for faculty promotion in Iraq’s universities. Thus, assistant lecturers, lecturers and assistant professors are officially required to publish at least one research paper per year. On the other hand, faculty members are frequently overloaded with teaching duties, leaving them little

time to conduct quality research. In most instances, extra teaching duties were welcomed by faculty members as this provided them with much needed supplementary income during the years of hardship that Iraq went through. III. 5. 3. Research publications

Most of the universities had, and still maintain their own journals and research papers produced by university staff often appear in journals published by their own university. Thus, respondents to a UNESCO survey68 indicated that at least 116 scientific journals were published in Iraq, on monthly, quarterly or annual bases. Some Iraqi researchers were also regular contributors to academic reviews published in neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. A limited proportion of articles were published in internationally refereed journals, despite the absence of political restrictions on such publications. Some research centres appear to have had a larger proportion of publications in refereed journals abroad. An example is provided by the Polymer Research Centre in Basra University, whose research outcome was accepted in the prestigious “Journal of Polymer Science.”

National journals have for the most part focused on engineering and medicine, and to a lesser extent on research in education and the social sciences. It would also seem that journals targeting research activity and dissemination of new knowledge in agriculture, the environment and energy sectors are missing or not very well publicised.

III. 5. 4. Theses and dissertations

A survey of theses and dissertations produced by universities in the region should shed light on areas of expertise

68 (UNESCO 2010)

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being developed at Iraq’s universities.69 Unfortunately, information about theses and dissertations is not uniformly available. In fact, among universities surveyed in Iraq, Babylon University appears to be the only one with an elaborate list of theses and dissertations classifying them across fields of specialisation, thereby allowing some insight into areas of current activity.

Data posted on Babylon University’s website70 indicate the following distribution of theses

Table (III-10); Number of higher degrees awarded by Babylon University in all fields

Education 115

Physical Education 71

Basic Education 62

Arts 73

Law 65

Subtotal 387

Science 174

Medicine 20

Engineering 80

Total Sci., Eng. & Medicine 274

% age Sci, Eng & Med/Total 44

Grand Total 620

Source: Babylon University’s website at: http://www.uobabylon.edu.iq/library/Thesis/Colleges.aspx

and dissertations across faculties and colleges: Education “Ibn Hayyan” (21), Education “Al Hilli” (94), Basic Education (62), Physical education (71), Arts (73), Law (65), Science (175), Medicine (20), Engineering (80).

The distribution of theses within engineering disciplines is indicated on the University’s website as follows: Materials Engineering (22), Mechanical Engineering (19), Civil Engineering (39), while the distribution of theses within science disciplines was as follows: Computer Science (22), Chemical Sciences (37), Physical Sciences (26), Biological Sciences (89).

69 While the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is said to publish a comprehensive list of theses and dissertations, presumably awarded by public universities under its authority, the website where this list is published was not readily accessible.

70 Babylon University’s website at: http://www.uobabylon.edu.iq/library/Thesis/Colleges.aspx. Accessed in July 2011.

View of the marsh region, water, trees, water plantsPhotographer: Bonsirven-Fontana, M.L.

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Table (III-11); Numbers of higher degrees awarded by Babylon University in science, engineering and medicine

Mechanical Engineering 19

Materials Engineering 22

Civil Engineering 39

Engineering subtotal 80

Chemistry 37

Physics 26

Biology 89

Sciences subtotal 152

Medicine 20

Computer Science 22

Grand total 274

Source: Babylon University’s website at: http://www.uobabylon.edu.iq/library/Thesis/Colleges.aspx

The above distribution clearly favours disciplines in education, arts, law and other disciplines against those in science, engineering and medicine, with 66% for the former against 44% for the latter. With regard to the distribution among disciplines in science engineering and medicine, it is the former that dominates with around 64% for dissertations in science disciplines against 29% for engineering, and 7% for medical, disciplines. See tables (III-10) and (III-11).

III. 5. 5. Regional perspectives

The results of a recent survey of publication produced by selected countries in the Middle East by Thomson Reuters Science are presented in figure (III-20). This figure demonstrates that despite the low rate of science publications by the less prolific contributors in this region, including Iraq, many members of this group, also including Iraq, have witnessed strong growth over the past decade.

Figure (III-20) clearly shows that research publications by Iraqi institutions picked up in 2004 and have since continued on an upward path. While this certainly is a healthy sign, Iraq and many of its neighbours will have a long way to go before they reach publication levels such as those enjoyed by their closest neighbours, Turkey and Iran, with the former producing more than 22,000 papers and the latter around 15,000, in 2009.

Figure (III-20); Annual research publication output of nine less prolific countries in the Arab countries, Iran and Turkey. Source: Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge

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Frame (III.4); Impact of research undertaken in the most selected countries in the Middle East

Investments in higher education and research are essential for attaining and utilising knowledge for socioeconomic development. However, improved investments in higher education and research are seldom immediately translated into world-class research with high impact. The main reason for this is time needed to train a new generation of researchers. Additionally, some time will elapse before awareness of the quality of research activity becomes widespread, thereby realising its impact.

In practical terms, this means that at least a decade may go by before research in Iraq has the kind of impact that is just being realised by other countries in the region. There have recently been some strong signals of improving impact by research conducted in at least five countries in the region, for which reasonable data are available. A customary measure of research ‘excellence’ attained by a certain country, or for that matter a given research institution, is the frequency with which its publications are cited by later works. This frequency is expressed in terms of an index that represents the impact of the research carried out by the country, or institution, in question on the rest of the research community.

Citation rates used as a measure of research impact vary by field. Additionally, since citations continuously grow, citation counts are adjusted to take into account variations due to discipline and year of publication. Citation rates are generally expressed as the Relative Citation Impact (RCI) index. The RCI index is calculated by comparison with a relevant world average, extracted from the same set of data. 71

Citation impact information for five countries in the Middle East is presented in figure (III-21). These countries produced publications that realised around one-quarter of world average citation impact at the start of the 1990s but then went on to achieve around one-half of world average. It should be noted here that since this is a mere average, wide variance could be expected between various institutions. At any rate, what figure (III-21) clearly indicates is that some countries in the Middle East are producing a growing number of publications with widely-cited research publications.

71A striking feature with regard to publication trends in the region is that the number of publications produced by some countries in the region has been expanding at much higher rates than the rest of the world. Thus, Turkey’s share of world output nearly trebled from 0.7% in 2000 to 1.9% in 2009 while Iran’s share grew from less than 0.2% to 1.3% over the same decade.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia displayed a flatter trajectory throughout the period 2000-2009. However, both countries have in fact increased the numbers of their publications in recent years. Jordan’s publications, too, are on the rise. Close examination of the data on which Figure 3 is based reveals that Jordan has doubled its 2000 output. Additionally, all three countries have increased their world shares by around one-third. Forecasts indicate further growth, given announcements of intended increases in higher education and research investment in all three countries.

Figure (III-20) exhibits publication trends for a group of countries with smaller numbers of annual publications, including Iraq. This table indicates that, at around 900 papers in 2009, publications by researchers in the United Arab Emirates were highest, with considerable annual growth throughout the period 2000-2009.

Even countries that have produced the least number of publications exhibit substantial output growth. Thus, Iraq, Qatar and Yemen more than doubled their, admittedly miniscule, share of world output between 2000 and 2009, a possible sign of the potential these countries have in terms of scientific activity. Frame (III.4)

71 The “Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge” data base is used in computing current citation counts.

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provides a glimpse of another attribute of national research performance, namely impact as measured by citation rates.

Figure (III-21); Annual research publications of the five most prolific among Arab countries as well as Turkey and Iran.Source: Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge

III. 5. 5. 1. Patents

The Arab countries of the Middle East and North Africa hold a generally poor record on patents. Figure (III-22) presents a view of all patents registered at the United States Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO) by fifteen Arab countries as well as those awarded by USPTO to Cyprus, Iran and Turkey, in comparison.

Figure (III-22); Patents granted to selected Arab and neighbouring countrues; 'Pre 1997' in blue and 'All patents' in red.

Source: USPTO; 31.12.2010 data.

1 1

359 5

24 19 211 0

96

5 10 182

2044

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117

1025

140

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10 8

382

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aSyr

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Figure (III-22) also shows patents awarded to all of the above-mentioned countries prior to 1997. Iraq is clearly a poorer performer, particularly as compared to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, with only ten patents registered throughout and nine since 1997.

III. 6. Status and future perspectives of scientific research in Iraq; Meeting of core group of experts in September 2011

As prelude to the formulation and discussion of a full-fledged roadmap for the rehabilitation of scientific research throughout the country a meeting was convened in Beirut during September 27th and 28,th 2011, with the primary objective of reviewing the status of scientific research in Iraq. Statements and discussions focused on both the status as well as future objectives and related modalities for the rehabilitation of scientific research.

The meeting was attended by Iraqi officials from the Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research in both Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as well as the Ministries of Federal Government in charge of Science and Technology, Planning

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and Industry. Attending were also several heads of research institutions in Iraq, as well as experts from the Iraqi Network of Scientists Abroad (INSA) whose membership includes a number of prominent Iraqi professors working at higher education and research institutions abroad. Frame (III.5) on the next page provides further information on participating institutions.

III. 6. 1. Keynote presentations

The presentation by the Director of Research and Development at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research72 was notable in that it highlighted a number of activities aimed at revitalising research capabilities in Iraq.73 The Ministry’s presentation indicated that a strategy for scientific research (SSR) covering the period till 2020 was being formulated, in cooperation with UNESCO. SSR objectives include enhancing operational and investment allocations dedicated to scientific research as well as increasing the number of researchers and improving parity between male and female researchers. SSR has embedded numerical benchmarks and is supposed to be finalised for implementation through a number of projects during 2011-2012. SSR projects cover a wide range of activities with objectives including:

72 This presentation was made by Dr. M. Saraj the Director of Research and Development at the Ministry.

73 The Ministry’s presentation highlighted the fact that a “Higher Scientific Research Council” was established as early as 1962 within Baghdad University with focus on promoting scientific research undertaken mainly in the country’s universities. This council was later abolished in 1995. Legislation has since given rise to the establishment of scientific research centres and units, now numbering around 91 throughout the country, which undertake studies and research activity in a variety of disciplines and application areas including social sciences and humanities.

- Improving management of research and innovation activities in the country.

- Establishment of research parks throughout the country with special emphasis on national development priorities including employment creation.

- Reform of company laws dedicating 1 percent of annual profits to a fund dedicated to support for scientific research.

- Enhancing budgetary allocations to scientific research through direct allocations from the national budget.

- Drafting laws with view to:o the establishment of a

new Scientific Research Council (SRC);

o enhancing the number of Iraqi scientists, providing better care for them as well as ensuring optimal benefits from their output;

- Promoting applied scientific research aimed at national development.

- Dedicating annual prizes for outstanding achievements in scientific research by Iraqi nationals.

- Design of novel systems of research fellowships, joint supervision of research by postgraduate students and dedication to full-time research.

- Cooperating with international and regional organisations with objectives including promotion of scientific research.

- Enhancing research cooperation with higher education establishments as well as firms.

- Establishing professorial chairs at selected universities with emphasis on research activity in priority domains and application sectors.

It is noteworthy that SSR projects were directed towards institutions as well as

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funding and regulatory arrangements throughout Iraq, i.e. including the Kurdistan Region. It was expected that SSR would be finalised and published before the end of 2011. Another keynote presentation was made at the start of the meeting on behalf of the General of Research and Development in the Kurdistan Region.74 This presentation provided an outline of the status of scientific research in Kurdistan, emphasising the strong ties that linked scientific research to higher education activity in the Region. It was indicated that the first law promulgated with view to vitalising scientific research in the region was passed in 1991, giving rise to institutional and legal arrangements, notable among which was the creation of the Higher Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research. This Council was charged with drawing up plans for scientific research as well as translation and publishing activities. It was headed by the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Government with members including presidents of the region’s universities. Another law was passed in 2004, allowing universities

74 Presentation by Dr. Najdat Arqawi, Director General of Research and Development in the Kurdistan Region.

to establish research centres and entrusting university councils with the task of scientific research planning. Four years later, a law (No. 10/2008) was passed, establishing a scientific research authority with research centres covering a number of specialisations including agriculture, microbiology, healthcare, energy, the environment and strategic studies. The presentation on research and development activities in the Kurdistan Region indicated that such research centres often suffered a number of obstacles due to resource limitations as well as inadequate administrative arrangements. Nevertheless, these centres continue to undertake scientific research work on a number of priority issues for the Kurdish region. Yet another new law intended to promote scientific research has been under consideration for around one year now. This law will include provisions for establishing a scientific research authority as an independent academic entity to be charged with resource allocations, evaluation and priority setting.

This presentation emphasised steps that MoHESR/KRG was taking to enhance cooperation with its Federal counterpart

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Frame (III.5); Iraqi and overseas institutions represented at the CGE meeting

In addition to UNESCO/Iraq staff members actively engaged in programmes aimed at rehabilitation and promotion of higher education and scientific research in Iraq, high-level officials represented principal institutions charged with enhancing national performance in higher education and scientific research. The following is a list of represented at the meeting included:

• Research and Development Directorate at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research;

• College of Engineering / Baghdad University;• College of Agriculture / Baghdad University;• Iraqi Centre for Cancer Research;• Marine Science Centre / University of Basra;• Ministry of Science and Technology;• Ministry of Industry;• Ministry of Planning;• Iraqi Embassy in Jordan;• Research and Development Directorate at the Ministry of Higher Education and

Scientific Research / KRG;• Dohuk Research Centre / KRG;• Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research.

Members of the Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad (NISA) included professors from actively employed by the following universities: Dublin University, Swinburne University, California State University, Newcastle University, Buckingham University, Oxford Brooks University, Missouri University.


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as well as institutions of research and higher education overseas. Additionally, this presentation listed problems that face scientific research in the Kurdistan Region, emphasising:

- lack of a clear scientific research policy;

- inadequate arrangements regarding the status of researchers and research teams, from academic, legal and administrative aspects;

- complexities that characterise administrative systems governing scientific research, especially with regard to resource issues;

- the brain drain and weak links with Iraq’s academic Diaspora;

- inadequate interaction between research institutions and centres of decision making.

With view to tackling the above issues, several proposals were made with regard to:

- stemming the flow of trained personnel out of Iraq, and modalities for reversing this flow through appropriate policies, supported by regulatory and legislative arrangements ensuring academic freedom as well as a variety of incentives.

- linking scientific research institutions and centres of decision making, through establishment of research and research support facilities within selected national institutions, including Iraq’s parliament as well as key ministries.

- cooperation between governorate councils and scientific research institutions in implementing activities aimed at tackling local problems.

This presentation also listed a series of priorities identified by the Ministry in the Kurdish region, including review of regulations governing:

- educational study tours abroad;- cooperation with overseas

research institutions;

- academic promotion to reflect research achievements as well as years of service;

- adoption of arrangements that guarantee transparency and equity.

III. 6 .2. Discussion points

Frame (III.6) provides a list of headings under which discussions were undertaken during the course of the meeting. Particular attention was accorded to points of weakness and strength in the current status of scientific research in Iraq and how the former might be overcome and the latter built upon in attempts at forging a better future for research and the country at large. The following headings present concise summaries of related discussions and ensuing conclusions.

To a large extent, most comments and ensuing discussions addressed what needs to be done in order to revitalise Iraq’s scientific research capabilities. This is not to say that the status quo was not adequately addressed. In deed, as indicated in the next paragraph, several comments were aimed at basic faults as well as possible points of strength that characterised scientific research in Iraq. Additionally, a number of participants made comments with regard to research priorities, the need to allocate higher resource levels to scientific research and to institute a scientific research culture within as well as outside institutions of higher learning. A starting point for all of the above was considered to be the formulation of a viable national science and technology policy with well-defined objectives, implementation strategies and appropriate benchmarks. The following paragraphs provide a summary of discussion points grouped under heading derived from the main themes of the meeting’s sessions.

Current status of scientific research in Iraq: Scientific research in Iraq suffers the effects of inappropriate regulatory arrangements and inadequate resources. The overall national environment has

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not been conducive and there is need to create and promote a scientific research culture throughout. On the other hand, there was need for in-depth assessment of the status of scientific research. The status of regulatory arrangements and legislative instruments was in need of close scrutiny. It was generally agreed that neither was adequate to ensure a bright future for scientific research. Thus, national and institutional budgets often lacked expenditure items dedicated to scientific research. On the other hand, the present state of research infrastructures suffered a number of inadequacies.

Institutional perspectives of scientific research in Iraq: The need for better coordination between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Planning as well as other key ministries, such as the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of the Environment, etc,. with regard to promoting research activity in areas of priority concern for national development was emphasised at the outset. It was indicated that the most effective modality for such coordination would be through creation of the proposed Scientific Research Council. It was indicated that there was urgent need for reform of institutional organisational structures in a manner that allows greater flexibility and a healthy degree of decentralisation, while maintaining optimal coordination capabilities among concerned ministries and research institutions. Thus, it was indicated that approval of scientific research plans was best handed down to

the faculty and college levels. Naturally, this would require prior consultations and ongoing coordination. As a result it was deemed essential that a central body to coordinate national efforts aimed at the creation of a conducive environment with regard to institutional arrangements, resources levels and strategic action aimed at revitalisation of scientific research in Iraq. There was also need to set up units or small departments within ministries and universities with mandates including research planning. Ridding Iraq’s institutions of higher education and scientific research from overbearing red-tape was a point also repeatedly made, with reference to institutional regulations that are clearly in direct opposition to the very nature of scientific research activity. Human resources: Given adequate resources, an appropriate work environment as well as possibilities for creating viable links to research communities abroad and at home, Iraqi researchers would be as productive as anywhere in the world. On the other hand, due to the special conditions that Iraq had to go through, the country lacked capabilities in a number of crucial areas. There was need to make up for such deficiencies through an accelerated process of human resource formation as well as intensive collaboration with expatriate Iraqi scientists and technologists. The fact that higher echelons are lacking in certain areas might be remedied through joint supervision of postgraduate students. With view to fully capitalising on available resources comments were also made with regard to the need for

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Frame (III.6); Principal topics for CGE discussions

- Overview of past and current status, legal and organisational issues of scientific research;

- Institutional perspectives of scientific research;- Human resources dedicated scientific research; composition, gender issues and

training needs;- Networking and collaboration, at the institutional, regional and international levels;- Priorities and research disciplines and financing modalities;- Scientific research output;- Information and communication technology in scientific research, infrastructural and

utilisation aspects;- Collection and analysis of information on scientific research.


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retraining university staff at various levels. While study tours might be an optimal solution in a certain cases, the possibility of retraining university staff, including researchers, at home may be more effective for a variety of reasons.

Networking and collaboration: The need for intensive networking and collaboration at the institutional, regional and international levels was repeatedly emphasised by a number of participants. Networking among research units within Iraq and with their counterparts abroad was the subject of some focused discussion. The need for setting up modalities that allow regular visits by expatriate Iraqi scientists to home institutions was the subject of several comments in a number of sessions.

Priority sectors and research disciplines: A number of suggestions were made with regard to priority research areas, including agriculture, industry, the environment, water resources and healthcare. With these areas in mind it was considered essential that comprehensive national programmes be designed. It was generally agreed that the scientific research strategy presently under consideration would constitute an appropriate instrument for identifying priorities more specifically, disseminating relevant information an ensuring that adequate collaboration and coordination would be exercised in the implementation of relevant research programmes.

Scientific research output: In addition to graduating Masters and PhD holders, whose theses would count as valid contributions to Iraqi research output, universities were active in publishing results of research by their staff and students. Publications by Iraqi researchers in local journals as well as those in neighbouring countries were significant in number. However, no measures were adopted to ascertain

the quality of published material.75 On the other hand steps are being taken to encourage publication in reputable international journals, which adopt peer refereeing as basis for publication76. A considerable number of patents were being submitted for registration locally and modalities were being considered by MoHESR to facilitate marketing of granted patents.

Information and communication technology: In general, the results of the UNESCO questionnaire survey indicated the need for training researchers in ICT skills. Furthermore, the results of this survey also indicated that expenditure on ICT equipment was minimal in most responding institutions. Progress was being made on this front with examples including the creation of the virtual library which now boasts a large number of users. Another example is the creation of a search engine covering Iraqi scientific journals. Nevertheless, it was felt by a number of participants that much more would be needed in order to promote more effective utilisation of ICT with ultimate benefits for research quality. Advanced ICT capabilities are particularly important where coordination and cooperation among colleagues inside Iraq and partners abroad are concerned.

Collection and analysis of information on scientific research: The lack of information and information sharing on research activity was considered detrimental to research productivity in Iraq. Ideas aimed at promoting collection and dissemination of up-to-date information on scientific research activity were discussed. It was generally felt that setting up information and

75 A total of 255 Iraqi scientific journals were being published by universities throughout Iraq. Information provided by Dr. M Saraj, Directorate of Scientific Research at MoHESR.

76 Prizes of up to ID1 million are awarded for each article published by an Iraqi researcher in such journals, in addition to publication costs. Information provided by Dr. M Saraj, Directorate of Scientific Research at MoHESR.

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documentation units dedicated to this purpose within Iraq’s major universities would greatly advance the cause of promoting scientific research in Iraq.

III. 6. 3. Meeting’s conclusions and recommendations

Conclusions and recommendations of the meeting were discussed during a final session on the second day of the meeting. One of the main conclusions reached was affirmation of the importance of scientific research for the future of the country from a variety of perspectives. The need to embark as soon as possible on the formulation and implementation of strategies aimed at rehabilitation of scientific research was deemed a priority. With this in mind, an urgent requirement was to tap existing human resources both at home and abroad. The need to enhance financial resources and to reduce routine that stifles research activity were also emphasised.

The following is a brief account of the meetings recommendations grouped within the following categories:77

- Creation of novel institutional entities;

- Human resources development; - Ensuring adequate financial

resources; - Cooperation and coordination in

research and higher education;- Enhancing research quality.

Novel institutional entities

It was recommended that following adequate in-depth studies, a number of novel institutional entities be created in order to enhance prioritisation, coordination as well as access to financial resources for scientific research activity. Novel entities would need to include:

- An Iraqi commission on science,

77 While alternative classifications are possible, the proposed classification is adopted in view of preceding and ensuing discussions undertaken within the final session of the meeting.

technology and innovation (ISTIC), under the auspices of the Prime Minister, with responsibilities to act as the country’s STI policy making. This Commission is to be entrusted with setting priorities, within various disciplines and sectors, and enhancing the quality and diversity of scientific research.

- Scientific research units within concerned Government ministries and departments. These units are to be linked to the STI commission, but would have to function in accordance with current regulations adopted by their home institutions, with duties including scientific research coordination and planning.

- A special unit charged with promoting quality assurance in Iraq’s educational system;

- A unit dedicated to scientific research policy studies, to provide advice to concerned decision makers and institutions, with facilities and information access enabling it to undertake periodic evaluation of the impact of scientific research carried out in the country as well as the productivity of researchers in Iraq’s and the quality of their output;

- Science, technology and research parks and incubation schemes would also need to be established within or close to selected institutions of higher learning and research centres.

Human resources development

Recommendations concerning human resources development in scientific research included calls aimed at the design and implementation of training programmes with view to upgrading research and administrative skills of scientists throughout Iraq as well as enacting training programmes aimed at producing high-quality research technicians and auxiliary staff.

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Securing adequate financial resources

It was agreed that a percentage of no less than 1.0 percent of Iraq’s GDP be annually dedicated to scientific research. It was also agreed that competitive modalities would need to be adopted in granting research support, ensuring that resources are ultimately made available to research centres and units on the basis of the relevance of their research proposals to socioeconomic development needs, track record and inclusion of components involving inter-institutional collaboration.

The meeting called for a special fund to provide financial support for research, development and innovation in Iraq with contributions by concerned government ministries and the private sector. It was also agreed that an office would have to be set up to alert and guide research institutions and individual researchers to possible sources of research financing, both within Iraq and abroad.

Cooperation and Coordination in research and higher education

The establishment of special networks to promote research cooperation and coordination was the subject of special recommendation by participants. Such networks would need to link Iraqi researchers and research institutions to one another as well as to the above-mentioned SRC and ISTIC. One of the principal objectives of improved networking of Iraqi researchers and research institutions was to reduce duplication and encourage better cooperation in research activities throughout the country.

It was emphasised that future networks would have to provide facilities for enhanced interaction among all Iraqi researchers, including those in the Kurdistan Region, and with those residing and working abroad. A call was also made for effective utilisation of international expertise ensuring improved cooperation between Iraqi

researchers and their counterparts across the globe.

It was also deemed essential that Iraqi expatriate researchers take part in activities undertaken by national institutions concerned with promoting research activity in the country.

Enhancing research quality Calls were made by the meeting for improved incentives as well as modalities aimed at increasing the number of publications in refereed international journals of high standing in their field of speciality.

Commitment to rehabilitation of scientific research in Iraq is considered key to a better future for the country and its future development. With this in mind, there was need to highlight the importance of maintaining the strongest possible links among participants within Iraq as well as with Iraq’s scientists working abroad, with particular emphasis on training researchers and access to relevant information regarding issues crucial to Iraq’s sustainable socioeconomic development.

III. 7. Concluding remarks

Available reports indicate that around seventy research centres and units are operational, mostly within the Country’s principal public higher education institutions. This is a low figure considering the large number of public universities and other institutions of higher education under the authority of MoHESR, with over 250 faculties and colleges and more than 1100 academic departments.78 The number of research centres may also be considered too low with regard to the numerous challenges that face the country on so many fronts.

78 “Modernization of the Education Sector in Iraq; Rapid Assessment of the Management of the Education System.” Prepared by Ramzi Salamé for the UNESCO Office for Iraq. 11th November 2010.

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Several issues may be quoted in explaining the low number of research centres and units. Firstly, rules and regulations79 required for the establishment of research centres are still exceedingly protracted, even prohibitive. Secondly, top echelons at the country’s universities have for many years been deprived of research experience, are overloaded with teaching duties, and may, in any case, lack adequate qualifications to undertake or supervise serious research work. In deed, available information indicates that more than half the members of teaching staff at Iraq’s universities do not hold a doctorate or equivalent degree.80

Teaching staff at Iraq’s universities are distributed across the academic ranks as follows: around 27 percent are assistant professors, in accordance with the North American tradition; a little over 16 percent are associate professors. Merely five percent are full professors. In effect, members of teaching staff who could take part in running research centres or supervising research work amount to a little more than 21 percent of the total teaching manpower, almost all of whom would be expected to have onerous teaching duties. Additionally, a sizable proportion of teaching cadres were reportedly taken on the payroll in a bid to absorb the stream of students graduating with a master’s degree without alternative job opportunities.

Thirdly, demand for enrolment in higher degree studies does not appear

79 It seems likely that many such rules and regulations were promulgated prior to the collapse of the past regime. This should be taken into account in taking further steps towards regulatory reforms.

80 The figure quoted by Salamé in (UNESCO 2010) is 52 percent. On the other hand, as indicated in figure (V-5), 72 percent of university staff possess Masters and Bachelors degrees. The difference is probably due to the fact that the latter figure includes staff performing functions other than teaching.

to be high. Thus, for a number of years students registered for graduate studies amounted to a small percentage, around 4 percent, of the total number of graduates. Reversing this trend would certainly require energetic programmes, including award of scholarships to carefully selected candidates with the aim of creating a sizable body of doctorate graduates in fields of specialisation with a good chance of attracting graduate students as well as answering some of the country’s socioeconomic development needs.

Frame (III.7) presents a set of issues intended to promote debate and further inputs with regard the current status of research, with regard to priorities, institutional aspects funding, output, as well as a roadmap for the future.

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Frame (III.7); Research activity in Iraq; priorities, institutional frameworks, funding, output and a roadmap for the future

• Priority disciplines, sectors and application areasUnderscoring disciplines, sectors and application areas witnessing significant scientific research activity, how might the choice of scientific research orientations be made? On the basis of established national/regional policy statements? institutional directives? personal preferences? What disciplines, sectors and application areas should be taken as priorities for urgent action in future institutional, regional and international strategies? What disciplines, sectors and application areas should be taken as priorities for mid-term action in future institutional, regional and international strategies? What disciplines, sectors and application areas should be taken as priorities for long-term action in future institutional, regional and international strategies? What measures might be taken in support of orphaned disciplines, sectors and application areas.

• Institutional frameworks Where is scientific research conducted at present? Which universities, specialized research centres are the most active/effective in conducting scientific research? What specializations are emerging? Is there an effective division of labour among active laboratories centres? What inter-institutional and international collaboration arrangements are in place? Are there any missing institutional components, e.g. research policy council, research policy formulation units/committees?What models are being followed in establishing new (and transforming existing) institutions? What is the preferred future outlook for research institutions in Iraq (in terms of linkages and networking abilities, orientations, ... …)? How could inter-institutional and international collaboration arrangements be best improved? How should Iraq go about filling in gaps in its institutional landscape, e.g. research policy council, research policy formulation units/committees?

• Research outputOverview of research output: papers, dissertations patents and royalties, licensing and high-tech trade, postgraduates and expert manpower. How significant are current research outcomes? Has any of the research activities undertaken resulted in technology development or improved technology transfer? What benchmarks are there for measuring performance? Publications and patents provide reasonable indicators. However, scientific research might also result in novel or modified products and processes. Are there any examples of such outcomes? To judge the status of output in relation to novel/modified products and processes, one would need to look at specific sectors. What opportunities are there for improved scientific research in aid of socioeconomic development? How could specific sectors benefit from scientific research carried out in universities, specialised research centres? How might research performance be best measured?

• Funding and R&D expenditureWhat proportion of GDP is allocated to scientific research?84 What proportions of university budgets is being spent on scientific research? What budgets are allocated to specialised research centres? How are scientific research collaboration programmes funded? What proportions of current funding for is in fact spent in conducting scientific research? Is it possible to arrive at a breakdown across items of expenditure, at the institutional, regional, national levels?How could better funding be made available to scientific research in the country? What sources might be approached? With what agenda? What contributions might be made by private and public enterprises, apart from government allocations through institutional budgets? What contributions might be sought from regional and

international sources?

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81 While this might be a little immature at present, in formulating detailed implementation plans, it would be essential to pose the question as to what percentages of institutional budgets are being allocated to scientific research and what plans might be in the pipeline for enhancing available resources. Additionally, it may be possible to underline budgets allocated to specific national/regional initiatives/projects, provided it is possible to ensure that these budgets are mostly or entirely dedicated to scientific research.

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Appendix III.1

Visibility of Iraqi research institutions on the WebA scientific research centre’s presence on the Internet has become an essential tool with functions that include publicising its vision, mission and direct objectives; announcing its range of activities; sharing recently acquired knowledge with the scientific community; inviting visitors to view and comment on its own publications as well as extending ties linking it to a variety of other related research and higher education centres. The degree to which Iraq’s scientific research centres were making use of the Internet is, at best, minimal. Thus, while good deal of research undertaken at Iraq’s universities is carried out with view to higher degree qualifications and to promotion within established institutions of higher education the use of websites as a means of disseminating research publications does not appear to have gained currency.Google searches were undertaken on the basis a unified strategy; using the name of each one of the centres given below coupled to the name of its parent university. The names of research centres were taken as far as possible from official websites. For the most part, information returned as a result these searches included articles from the national press, CV’s posted on the Internet with references to the centres in question as well as other sundry references. It was very rarely that a search did return research papers or articles produced by any one of the centres. Nevertheless, a count of search results may be somewhat informative, if only of the extent to which information about a given centre was disseminated on the Web, one way or another. Tables (AIII.1.1), (AIII.1.2) and (AIII.1.3) provide counts of returned search results for centres in selected Iraqi universities. 82 83

Table (A-III.1.1); Number of returned documents in Google queries using the full name of the research centre as well as the name of Baghdad and Basra

Universities. Queries conducted on 11 June 2011.82

University Research CentreNumber of returned

documents

Baghdad University

Embryology Research Centre 1*Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute 61Postgraduate Institute for Urban and Regional Planning 1*

Postgraduate Institute for Laser Studies 1*

* Returned documents include UNESCO 2010

Basra University

Research CentreNumber of returned

documentsMarine Science Centre83 1,820Polymer Research Centre 2*Centre for Persian Studies 3*Centre for Arabian Gulf Studies 109Haemoglobin Disorder ‘Centre’ 1Seawater Purification Unit (College of Engineering) 1


82 Research Centres in the above table are mentioned in UNESCO 2010. However, the Baghdad University website mentions the following centres, of which four are research centres. One of which is the “Date Palm Res Cent,” which is not referred to in UNESCO 2010. However, Baghdad University’s website does not seem to provide any further information on the activities undertaken by its centres.

83 The Centre of Marine Science is located on the West bank of the Shat Al Arab around 15 km from the centre of the city of Basra, in a location called ‘Karmeh.’ Studies leading to the establishment of this Centre were initiated in 1974. The Centre was then established in 1976 as part of the College of Science at the University of Basra. However in 1981 it received its charter as a Centre of research within the University with administrative, financial and scientific autonomy.

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Tables (A-III.1.1), (A-III.1.2) and (A-III.1.3) reveal that:- Only one returned search result was obtained for three out of the four centres

for which a name search was conducted. This was merely the UNESCO document from which the name of the centre was obtained in the first place;

- The search targeting the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute returned only 61 results, still a much larger number than what was obtained for the other three institute. However, none of the search results were truly informative of the Institute’s activities.

The situation was only marginally different in searches conducted on research centres established within Basra University. Thus, while the search for the Marine Research Centre returned 1,820 results and that for the Centre for Arab Gulf Studies returned 109 results, searches for other research centres at the university returned 1-3 results each. See tables (A-III.1.1). 84

Table (A-III.1.2); Number of returned documents in Google queries using the full name of the research centre as well as the name of Mosul and AL Nahrain

Universities. Queries conducted on 11 June 2011.

Mosul University


documents

Agriculture Research Centre 8

Economics Research Centre 16†

Environment Research Centre 2*

Remote Sensing Centre‡ 58◊

Dams and Water Resources Research Centre 30◊

Computer and Internet Centre ◊ 0

† Returned documents include UNESCO 2010 in addition to 15 other concerning a book “Control and Sensing of Environmental Quality;” published in New Delhi in 1992.* Returned documents include “UNESCO 2010.”‡ The Remote Sensing Centre has a website with an outline of its mission and objectives. See annex (The Remote Sensing Centre, Mosul University)◊ Reduced to 18 returned documents upon going to the second page in the list of search results.◊ Reduced to 15 returned documents upon going to the second page in the list of search results.◊ This name is referred to within Mosul University’s website, while “UNESCO 2010” mentions the name “Computer Engineering Centre”

Al Nahrain University

Research CentreNumber of returned documents

The Biotechnology Research Centre of Al Nahrain University 7◊

Embryo Research and Sterility Therapy Centre84 0◊ Only three of the returned results were related to research output. Remaining results included CV’s as well as a course announcement.

The count for research centres/units in Mosul University is also listed in table (A-III.1.2). It may be noted that on a number of occasions the search engine removed a substantial proportion of search results on account of strong similarity among returned results. At any rate the state of affairs with respect to Mosul University’s centres is not much different form those encountered in the universities of Baghdad and Basra.

Table (A-III.1.3) provides similar results for research centres established by the universities of Babylon and Al Mustansiriya as well as the Informatics Institute

84 The name of this institute is translated from its Arabic name as listed on the Al Nahrain University’s website. It may not correspond to the English name used by the University in referring to this research centre. The University’s English website was not available at the time of drafting this report, during June - August 2011.

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for Postgraduate Studies established by the Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics, indicating a similar picture to that shown for other university research centres referred to above. The latter institute, i.e. the ICCI Informatics Institute for Postgraduate Studies, did produce somewhat significant returns while university research centres of the two universities included in this table did not.

It goes without saying that resorting to the above methodology with view to assessment of research activity is far from perfect. In fact, the main reason it is used in this review is due to the complete lack of useful information from other sources. Nevertheless, it may be claimed that search results show almost complete absence of a sizable proportion Iraq’s scientific research centres from the Web. It may well be argued that variants on the advertised names may be in use by research centres whose presence on the Web appears minimal at present. It may be said that the Centre’s Arabic, rather than their English, names are in use for various purposes. It could also be stated that some of the research centres have not resorted to methods, in wide use at present, with view to enhancing their detection by search engines. All three arguments, and many others, would be quite valid criticism of the above methodology, and would prompt further, more protracted searches, in the near future. However, the point would still be valid, that a sizable proportion of centres engaged in scientific research may not be readily accessed using their advertised names, and that they are probably unable to use the wealth of opportunities provided

by the Web in order to promote their missions and further their aims.

Table (AIII-1.3); Number of returned documents in Google queries using the full name of the research centre as well as the name of Babylon, Al Mustansiriya

Universities and the Commission for Computers and Informatics. Queries conducted on 11 June 2011.

Babylon UniversityResearch Centre

Number of returned documents

Environment Protection Centre 1*

* Returned documents include UNESCO 2010† No references to this centre were returned upon a Google search carried out on 11th June 2011, using: < +”Environment Protection Centre” +”Babylon University”> as well as <+”Environment Protection Centre” +”University of Babylon”>. But using “Babel University” returned one reference to UNESCO 2010.

Al Mustansiriya University


documentsNational Diabetes Centre 3*

National Haematology Centre 1*



documents

Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics

Informatics Institute for Postgraduate Studies 52 (29)*

* Returned documents included reference to “UNESCO 2010”

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Appendix III.2

Research cooperation in the region Research collaboration has become a predominant feature of the global research scene. In fact, there are many instances were cross-border, even trans-continental, research collaboration seems to exceed that between institutions within the same country or region, with countries increasingly drawing on one another’s expertise, sharing costs and scarce human resources, enabling the dissemination and exploitation of new knowledge.

Research collaboration between countries of the Middle East occurs at lower levels than is generally true around the world. Nevertheless, some countries in the region, such as Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia provide notable exceptions, with around 40% of their domestic output having at least one co-author from another country. It is customary for such collaboration to take place among authors from these three countries. However, researchers in Syria, Yemen, Oman and Qatar appear to collaborate, only very infrequently, with their counterparts to other countries.

Jordan is foremost with regard to research collaboration. Egypt, on the other hand, has achieved a pivotal role in research linkages within the region as well as with European partners, other Arab countries in North African as well as the United States and Japan. In general the most frequent collaborative research partnerships extending beyond the region are established with institutions in the United States. An exception to this is research collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Thus, Egypt is Saudi Arabia’s closest partner. However, Egypt’s principal partner is the United States, followed by Saudi Arabia.

Figure (A-II) presents a map outlining the status of scientific research collaboration between countries in the region with international partners. The map and associated figures are taken from a recent report by an international institution dedicated to monitoring scientific research activities.85 The map does quotes figures measuring the extent of research cooperation between five major actors in scientific research in the region with partners in developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Canada. No figures are quoted for any of the lesser actors in scientific research in the region, e.g. Syria, Lebanon and the Yemen.

It goes without saying that further efforts aimed at expanding collaborative research partnerships would further enhance current growth and should also enable countries now suffering low levels of research productivity to evolve. With this in mind it would be well to study arrangements put in place by countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, for example, with view to drafting future scientific research collaboration policies in Iraq. Such policies might advisably target the establishment of tripartite arrangements, involving regional partners already in partnerships with renowned

85 “Global Research Report, Exploring the Changing Landscape of Arabian, Persian and Turkish Research.” J. Adams et al.; February 2011. Thomson Reuters Science. ISBN: 1–904431–27–5. [email protected] .

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research institutions in the developed countries with view to collaboration on issues of common priority interest.

Overall, the United Kingdom and Germany appear to be the most frequent research partners for almost all countries in the Middle East. This may well be taken to reflect both regard for research quality in these two countries as well as their capacity for international collaboration in research endeavours. It is noteworthy that both countries appear to have established bases for collaboration in the Kurdistan Region. Thus, here again extending such collaboration to involve research institutions in other parts of Iraq might provide initial means for enhancing research cooperation.

Figure (A-III.2.1); Map summarising extent and orientations of research collaboration between countries in the region and developed countries throughout the world. Source: Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge

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Appendix III.3

Research cooperation with Iraqi universities, government ministries/departments and international partners 86

Table (A-III.3.1); Cooperation by responding research institutions with Iraqi universities

No. of projects

Percentage of total

Universities

Cell and Biotechnology Research Unit

5 - Thee Qar university, Meesan university

Centre for Palestinian Studies

- - -

Centre of Desert Studies - -Univ. of Sulaimaniya, University of Baghdad, University of Kufa, Univrsity of Tikrit, University of Mosul

Biotechnology Research Centre

- -Baghdad University, -Al-Razi for Biological Kits, Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics, Centre for Embryological Researches and infertility treatment

Biomathematics Unit86 - - -

Breast & Cervical Cancer Research Unit

- - All Universities across all Iraqi provinces.

Dohuk Research Centre - -Erbil Medical Research Centre/Erbil UniversityMinistry of Agriculture/Kurdistan Region /Iraq/Erbil

General Directorate of Research Centre (SUH)

- - Hawler Medical Univ.

Iranian Research Centre - -Basra University (Department of Earth Sciences), Baghdad University, Arabian Gulf Research Centre

Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research

7 26Slahuddine University, Sulaimaniya University, Koya University, American University of Iraq,

Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre

- -Universities of Kufa, Basrh, Kerbala, Baghdad, AL-Nahrain, AL-Mustasiriya and Technology.

Natural Resources Research Centre

- - -

Research Unit for Die Design and Manufacture

2 25 Alanbar Technical Institute

Political Science Unit - -Basra University, Qadisiya University, Sulaimaniya University, Salahuddine University

Table (A-III.3.2); Cooperation by responding research institutions with Ministries and government departments

No. of projects

Percentage of total

Ministries and government departments

Biological unit for Tropical Diseases

3 3Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture


- -Ministries of Science and Technology, Health, the Environment and Agriculture

Breast & Cervical Cancer Res. Unit

- -Ministries of Health, the Environment, Science and Technology and Social Affairs

Centre for International Studies

- -Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence

Centre for Palestinian Studies - - Ministry of Human Rights (Baghdad)

Centre of Desert Studies - -

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Science and Technology, Centre of Development of Upper Euphrates, Centre of Seeds Technology, Centre of Dams & Water Resources (Mosul),

86 Returned questionnaire form mentions cooperation on one project taking up 5 percent of total cooperation activities. However, this project’s name is not mentioned, and no other projects are in fact mentioned.

83

Date Palm Research Unit-

30 State Board of Date Palm, Ministry of Agriculture.

Dohuk Research Centre - -Central veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of higher Education; Kurdistan Regional Government, Erbil, Iraq


- -Ministries of Health and Municipalities and the General Directory Of Museum

Iranian Research Centre - - Basra Provincial Council, Ministry of Work87


11 41

Council of Ministers (KRG), Ministries of Water Resources in Iraq and KRG, Ministry of Health (KRG), Governorate and Municipality of Sulaimaniya, Investment Board/Establishment (KRG)

Marshes Research Centre 1 0.5 Marshes Restoration Centre


- -Ministries of Health, the Environment, Higher education and Scientific Research


- -Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of the Environment

Political Science Unit - - Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence

Polymer Research Unit 4 80Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources; Scientific Research Foundation- Petrochemicals Research Centre

Remote Sensing Centre, Mosul University

2 100Nineveh Investment Commission; Nineveh Geology Organization.

87

Table (A-III.3.3); Cooperation by responding research institutions with international partners

No. of projects

Percentage of total

Overseas and international organisations

Breast & Cervical Cancer Res. Unit

- -King Hussain Cancer Centre/Jordan; Lebanese Cancer Society / Lebanon; National Cancer Institute / Egypt

Cell and Biotechnology Res. Unit

1 - Herriot Watt university, U; Pavia university, Italy.

Centre for International Studies

- -Centre for Arab Unity Studies; Emirates Centre For Studies and Strategic Research; Amman centre For Human Rights, Centre For Human Rights, Bait Al Hikma.

Centre for Palestinian Studies - -Centre for Middle East Studies (Egypt), Centre for Arab Studies and Research (Egypt)

Centre of Desert Studies - - UNDP, USAID, UNIDO, ACSAD

Date Palm Research Unit - 40The International Centre for Agricultural research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria

Dohuk Research Centre - -Borstel Research Centre-Germany, Pendik veterinary control Research Centre in Turkey. Lanzhou veterinary Research Centre, China


- - ICARDA; SCRI Rosemasterd ( ?) Research Centre

Iranian Research Centre - -Iranian Consulate in Basra, Tehran University, a variety of international NGOs on individual bases.


9 33

UNDP, USAID, German Academic Exchange Services, University Poliklinik Hospital (Hamburg), German Universities, University of Colorado, University of Götingen, University of Paris

Marshes Research Centre 3 1 UNDO; suggested (?)


- - -

Political Science Unit - -

Polymer Research Unit 1 20 The Arab Science and Technology Foundation/ Dubai

87 The form indicates cooperation with “working Ministry.” So, it is not clear whether reference is being made to the Ministry of Labour or that of Public Works. The latter is more likely as it would provide a rather close translation from the Arabic “وزارة األشغال”.

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Appendix III.4

Recommendations of the UNESCO/Iraq meeting convened with view to discussing a Roadmap for science, technology and innovation in Iraq

The meeting was held during 12th - 14th December in Beirut. One of the first recommendations made at this meeting’s conclusion was to reaffirm the recommendation listed in section IV of this chapter, with regard to the establishment of a supreme national commission for science, technology and innovation, linked to the Council of Ministers, charging it with formulation of a national science, technology and innovation policy and overseeing its implementation and calling for the preparation of a special law to regulate the above Commission’s functions and submitting it for ratification.

The December meeting also called for accelerating procedures aimed at the establishment of science, technology and innovation centres and entities in line with recommendations made in the September meeting.

Importantly, the meeting also recommended that concerned authorities adhere as closely as possible to the timeline proposed in the Roadmap submitted for its consideration.

Other recommendations of the December meeting were intended with view to:- implementing programmes aimed at enhancing the capabilities of researchers

based on specialised continuous training in all aspects of scientific research, including research methodology, effective research project formulation, supervision and management as well as research leadership and evaluation;

- continued emphasis on study abroad with priority accorded for PhD courses of study, while allocating greater interest to sending high performers among graduates of secondary schooling to study abroad

- stronger links between higher studies undertaken in Iraq with research undertaken in established research centres abroad;

- rationalisation of the research system in Iraq and encouraging technical education;

- adoption of competitive employment and promotion policies, and selection of research leaders on the basis of merit and the need to establish adequate and comprehensive capabilities within research teams;

- encouraging joint research collaboration through the establishment of specialised networks, benefiting from expertise abroad as well as expertise brought back by students and professors returning home following courses of study and research abroad;

- encouraging dedication to research duties among university lecturers and staff as well as research collaboration and cooperation with universities abroad and with the Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad (NISA), with view to enhancing research quality and benefiting from accelerating development in science and technology;

- disseminating scientific research culture and the transfer of and adaptation of technology and innovation, based on modern methodologies, through specialist seminars, workshops and conferences as well as various walks of life and institutional settings, including schools;

- supporting collaborative research through adoption of novel finding approaches that encourage such collaboration among various research institutions;

- introducing novel sources of funding;

85

- establishment of scientific research, technology development and innovation parks and oases as well as centres for teaching and research excellence;

- organising special workshops to disseminate novel strategic planning methodologies, including SWOT techniques and quality assurance in scientific research;

- adopting a strategic national project in support of rebuilding the country’s economy, based on allowing graduates access to easy loans to establish industrial and agricultural businesses that make use of scientific research results;

- establishing centres for science, technology and innovation enterprise incubation centres through cooperation between universities and major institutions concerned with creation of job opportunities;

- creating specialised units to undertake planning and monitoring of scientific research activities within research centres established by MoHESR as well as other concerned ministries;

- establishing a national centres for prospective and futures studies.

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Appendix III.5

Global share of research output for the five most research-prolific countries in the Middle East

Table (A-III.5); Global share of research output* for the five most research-prolific countries in the Middle East, within fields in which they are individually best represented.

Turkey Iran Egypt Saudi Arabia Jordan

Field Percent Field Percent Field Percent Field Percent Field Percent

Agriculture 2.87 Engineering 1.71 Pharmacology 0.71 Mathematics 0.32 Environment 0.16

Medicine 2.84 Chemistry 1.68Materials Sciences

0.66 Engineering 0.31 Engineering 0.15

Engineering 2.22Materials Sciences

1.19 Chemistry 0.64 Medicine 0.26 Agriculture 0.15

Plant & Animal Sciences

2.17 Agriculture 1.19 Engineering 0.57 Pharmacy 0.22 Mathematics 0.13

Environment 1.82 Mathematics 1.16 Agriculture 0.48Materials Sciences

0.19 Pharmacy 0.12

Materials Sciences

1.67 Pharmacy 1.05 Physics 0.40 Geosciences 0.16 Chemistry 0.11

Chemistry 1.34Plant & Animal Sciences

0.93 Microbiology 0.35 Chemistry 0.15Computer Sciences

0.11

Mathematics 1.30Computer Sciences

0.79 Geosciences 0.34Computer Sciences

0.15 Geosciences 0.10

Pharmacy 1.29 Physics 0.76Plant & Animal Sciences

0.32 Physics 0.14Plant & Animal Sciences

0.09

Neurosciences 1.25 Medicine 0.60 Mathematics 0.31 Microbiology 0.13 Medicine 0.07

All fields 1.70 All fields 0.87 All fields 0.36 All fields 0.17 All fields 0.08

* Percentage of papers published worldwide as compiled on Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge. ‡ With the exception of Israel.

Source: “Global Research Report, Exploring the Changing Landscape of Arabian, Persian and Turkish Research.” J. Adams et al.; February 2011. Thomson Reuters Science. ISBN: 1–904431–27–5.

Chapter Four

Information and Communication Technologies in Iraq

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Table of contents

page

IV. 1. Introduction 89

IV. 2. Information and communications technology infrastructure in Iraq 89

IV. 3. The ICT institutional landscape 90

IV. 3. 1. The National Computer Centre (NCC) 90

IV. 3. 2. The Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics 91

IV. 4. ICT policy and institutional frameworks 92

IV. 5. The future of ICT infrastructure 93

IV. 6. ICT human capital formation 93

IV. 7. Recent ICT capacity building initiatives 94

IV. 8. The ICT sector in Iraq 95

IV. 8. 1. ICT access for Arabic speakers 95

IV. 8. 2. Research and development within the ICT sector 95

IV. 9. Concluding remarks 96

Appendix IV 98

List of tables

page

IV-1 Internet use statistics in selected Arab MENA countries 90

A-IV.1Information and communication technology infrastructures Accessibility and cost in Arab and selected neighbouring countries

98

A-IV.2 Internet Users, Percentage Penetration and User Growth during the Years 2000-2010 99

A-IV.3 Information and communication technology departments and colleges in Iraq’s universities 100

List of frames

page

IV-1 Iraqi Networking Academies Project Summary. 95

IV-2 ICT Status and future prospects in support for scientific research 97

89

IV. 1. Introduction

The importance of national information and communications technology (ICT) capabilities for socioeconomic development, in general, and scientific research, in particular, may not be overemphasised. In particular, improving Internet access using broadband connections is of utmost importance for conducting scientific research and maintaining modern research networks.

Attaining useful national ICT capabilities requires effective policy framework, adequate institutional and physical infrastructures as well as up-to-date training facilities in a number of specialities. Involvement of universities in all of the above is often a priority, particularly when ultimate objectives include further development of ICT capabilities and continual support for home-grown ICT enterprises to further develop and disseminate specific applications.

The following paragraphs present a brief outline of ICT status and salient developments on the ICT scene in Iraq. Material presented below is intended as bases for further discussions targeting the formulation of a Roadmap for future efforts aimed at promoting scientific research activity in Iraq. In particular, frame (IV-2) in the concluding section of this chapter presents a set of issues to be debated in formulating the Roadmap.

IV. 2. Information and communications technology infrastructure in Iraq

Iraq generally lags behind many other Arab, and developing, countries in the availability of and access to ICT services. Table (A-IV.1) in the Appendix to this chapter presents the most recent data concerning the status of Iraq’s ICT infrastructure. This table indicates that Iraq’s rate of combined mobile and fixed line subscriptions is rather low, falling close to rates possessed by countries with much lower GDP values,

such as Mauritania, Syria and Lebanon. However, at 2,650 percent, the rate at which subscriptions have been growing is one of the highest in the region. In fact, Iraq comes third following Mauritania (6,227 percent) and the Sudan (2,916 percent). The extent of the population’s coverage by mobile networks is one of the five lowest in the region, comparable in extent to coverage rates possessed by Libya, Mauritania, Yemen and the Sudan.

As indicated in Appendix tables (Appendix IV-1), and (Appendix IV-2), with statistics recorded in 2000 and 2008, respectively, the number of Internet users in Iraq is extremely low compared to other Arab countries. The situation improved considerably, according to statistics recorded in 2011, as shown in table (IV-1).88 In deed, the growth rate of Internet users in Iraq, since the year 2000, has been the sixth highest, next to that witnessed in Syria, the Sudan, Morocco, Algeria and Yemen.

An estimate, made in the year 2009, of average expenditure by Iraqi families on communication services amounted to 2.5 percent of total family expenditure.89 It is quite possible that this figure may have increased since then.

88 The situation with regard to broadband access in Iraq is described as inadequate compared to other Arab countries, in 2010. See http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm. June 2010 Statistics

89 “National Profile of the Information Society in Iraq;” A publication of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA). Call no.: E/ESCWA/ICTD/2009/12/Add.3. Publication date 14 December 2009. New York, 2009. Referred to below as (UN-ESCWA 2009).

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At the institutional level, Iraq’s ministries have progressively adopted modern ICTs with view to enhancing efficiency of their operations. A prominent example is provided by the Ministry of Water Resources which utilises geographical information system (GIS) techniques to improve its water resource management operations. Applications of GIS planned for the near future include pollution monitoring. A central Internet-based network has also been built at the Ministry and several databases and other support systems were established, including a hydrogeology information bank and a database of the hydrological stations. 90

90 Updated on June 30, 2011.Data was accessed from source (InternetWorld Stats. Miniwatts Marketing Group’s website http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats5.htm) in August 2011.

IV. 3. The ICT institutional landscape

Several institutions, in both the public and private sectors, are presently involved in national ICT capacity building. Relative improvement in the security situation has allowed government institutions aided by private sector companies to conduct renovation and restructuring of the ICT sector, on the basis of recently adopted legislative and regulatory arrangements. The following paragraphs take a look at the evolution of Iraq’s ICT landscape. 91

IV. 3. 1. The National Computer Centre (NCC)

Iraq was one of the few countries in the region, next to Algeria and Tunisia,

91 Data for West Bank only. Data on Gaza is not available from source.

Table (IV-1); Internet use statistics in selected Arab MENA countries90

Users, in Dec. 2000(X1,000)

Internet Usage, latest Data(millions)

Growth rate since Dec.

2000

Penetration(% of population)

Algeria 50 4.70 93.0 13.4

Bahrain 40 0.65 15.3 53.5

Djibouti 1.4 0.06 41.9 7.8

Egypt 450 20.14 43.8 24.5

Iraq 13 0.86 65.2 2.8

Jordan 127 1.74 12.7 26.8

Kuwait 150 1.10 6.3 42.4

Lebanon 300 1.20 3.0 29.0

Libya 10 0.35 34.0 5.4

Mauritania 5 0.08 15.0 2.3

Morocco 100 13.21 131.1 41.3

Oman 90 1.47 15.3 48.4

Palestine91 35 1.38 38.4 53.7

Qatar 30 0.56 17.7 66.5

Saudi Arabia 200 11.40 56.0 43.6

Sudan 30 4.20 139.0 9.3

Syria 30 4.47 148.0 19.8

Tunisia 100 3.60 35.0 33.9

UAE 735 3.56 3.8 69.0

Yemen 15 2.35 155.7 9.7

World total 361 2.095 4.8 30.2

Source: http://www.internetworldstats.com/ Updated on June 30, 2011.Data was accessed from source (InternetWorld Stats. Miniwatts Marketing Group’s website http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats5.htm) in

August 2011.

91

to establish a national body to cater for the information technology sector. Thus, a high level ICT commission was established at the Ministry of Planning, in 1969. This Commission was later transformed into the National Computer Centre (NCC) in the early seventies. One of the primary tasks of the Commission was to formulate a strategy, as well as oversee plans to acquire hardware and software purchases for governmental and non-governmental institutions. NCC expanded in subsequent years to a relatively large setup headed by a ‘director general’ reporting to a board of directors consisting of representatives from a number of concerned ministries. However, as technology evolved with the transformation into decentralized, smaller and cheaper systems and solutions, NCC slowly and reluctantly eased its grip and Iraqi institutions took their own paths towards building their ICT capabilities.

The most important NCC achievement in the 80’s and 90’s was the establishment of the Institute for Computer Studies, which offered fresh as well as experienced university graduates, courses leading to Masters and PhD degrees.

The role of NCC in policy and planning was diminished greatly following its detachment from the Ministry of Planning and relegation to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) in the 90’s. As a result its main role became focused on education rather than planning national ICT development.92 Prior to the invasion in 2003, NCC was transformed into Iraq’s ‘Commission for Computers and Informatics (ICCI) which continued as part of MoHESR, see the following section.

92 The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research appears to have played a significant role in advancing the ICT sector, with understandable emphasis on bringing its benefits to higher education institutions in its care.

IV. 3. 2. The Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics

The Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics was established, in 2002,93 as an independent body, with the aim of promoting investment and enhancing the role of the private enterprises in the ICT sector’s development. ICCI was placed under the authority of MoHESR, replacing the National Computer Centre. ICCI is presently one of three major players in the formulation of national IT policy and implementation of relevant activities. The other two being the Ministry of Technology and the Ministry of Communications.

ICCI comprises three substantive divisions, namely, an Institute for Higher Studies in Informatics, a Centre for Information Technology and a Centre for Science and Technology Information.

ICCI is credited with a good deal of positive developments on the ICT front in Iraq. Thus, ICCI supervised the installation and preparations of 110 computer and Internet labs for universities and higher education and scientific research institutions, throughout the country. ICCI also played a prominent part in establishing training centres within Iraqi universities, and has extended its training services to cover trainees from the private sector. 94

In addition to encouraging research and development in informatics, ICCI is mandated to promote the informatics sector with regard to both its hardware and software branches. Its experts are often called upon by various institutions in Iraq to provide consulting services. In particular, ICCI is now active in the implementation of Iraq’s electronic government project.

93 In accordance with law no. 11, 2002. As indicated on the ICCI web site http://www.icci.edu.iq/

accessed in January 2012.94 In 2003, ICCI offices were completely

destroyed. Around 600 Pentium IV PCs were reportedly looted or damaged. Parts of ICCI buildings that escaped destruction were used temporarily to house MoHESR, in 2003.

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In so far as its contributions to higher education in Iraq are concerned, ICCI grants higher academic qualifications through its Institute for Higher Studies in Informatics. Additionally, ICCI takes part in setting up ICT curricula in Iraq.

ICCI supervised the installation and preparations of 110 computer and Internet labs for universities and higher education and scientific research institutions, including universities in the Kurdistan Region.95 And, since it is not possible to utilise ICTs effectively without proper training, ICCI sought to establish model training centres and departments at Iraqi universities and institutions. Training activities were also extended to private sector institutions. 96

In summary, ICCI is still a major player in the formulation of national IT policy. However, its role in this regard is shared by the Ministry of Technology and the Ministry of Communications. While there are indications that ICCI suffers lack of experienced staff,97 it must, nevertheless be credited with a good deal of positive developments that took place on the ICT front in Iraq over the past few years.

IV. 4. ICT policy and institutional frameworks

The lack of a comprehensive national ICT policy,98 remains one of the principal challenges to the development of ICT in

95 This project was implemented within the framework of a larger project funded by a grant made by the Government of Qatar.

96 See http://www.icci.edu.iq.97 This section is based on information

provided by an ICT expert and ex-Regional Advisor at UN-ESCWA, who had worked for several years in Iraq, both prior to, and following its invasion of Kuwait and the first Gulf war in 1991. The original contribution indicated inadequacies in the management of ICCI.

98 UNESCO 2010; quoting a press article titled: “Iraq hopeful of high-speed Internet;” by T. Gara, The National. June 1, 2009.

only a few countries around the world. Iraq is probably one of those countries.99

The Ministry of Communications (MoC) is the ICT policy-making body in Iraq, while the Communications and Media Commission (CMC)100 is the regulatory body.101 However, for a period of time during the latter part of the last decade, MoC served as policy maker, regulator as well as operator.102 That is, in guiding evolution of its ICT sector, at least during that period, Iraq adopted what is often referred to as the PTT model.103 However, experience from a variety of countries around the world, indicates that several shortcomings arise when policy-making, regulatory as well as operational functions are assigned to a single government body. With particular regard to the subject of the present review, this approach is particularly detrimental to research and innovation in the field.104

A draft ICT policy was reported in 2009 as under development by MoC in collaboration with UN-ESCWA. It was hoped that this policy would be adopted early in 2010 at the latest.105 The

99 “Regional Profile of the Information Society in Western Asia - 2007”. New York: United Nations. (UN-ESCWA (2007).

100 Established by the Coalition Provisional Authority in 2004

101 UNESCO 2010 reports that CMC suffered setbacks in 2008 and 2009, as it was left without a director, which precipitated a “regulatory void.”

102 Iraq’s MoC is in charge of the state-owned the Iraq Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC).

103 PTT here stands for “post, telecommunications and telegraphy.” The PTT model refers to an approach in which planning and organising national ICT facilities and their exploitation, is allocated to established offices charged with running post, telecommunications and telegraphy services.

104 This is not to say that MoC should relinquish its role as policy maker. Rather, it should merely coordinate regulatory and operational functions with suitably accredited bodies.

105 (UN-ESCWA 2009)

93

Ministry of Planning and International Development (MoPID) as well as the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) are reported as taking part in the process. Whether the national policy is formulated by MoC, MoPID, MoST or through collaboration between all three, it is likely that reform of the ICT sector would eventually lead to a renewed policy and regulatory environment including restructuring of concerned government entities over the next few years. This would, however, contradict reports that MoPID intends to abolish or diminish the role of the CMC, giving the government full control over key ICT infrastructure including international gateways.

IV. 5. The future of ICT infrastructure

Iraq’s Ministry of Communications is reported as having embarked on a number of projects with the aim of revamping the country’s ICT infrastructure, including construction of:

- optical fibre networks to connect all Iraqi governorates as well as link the country to its neighbours and with the rest of the world;- a national microwave-based communications system;- a new exchange system with around 720,000 new numbers distributed over 26 exchanges of different capacities;- additional space stations with expandable capacity.106

- internet provider (IP) facilities to link ministries and national institutions within Iraq’s e-government initiative;107

- a management centre to enable control of all communication projects in Iraq;

106 For example at Al Kadhimiya north of Baghdad. This station should enhance already available capacity due to three operational satellite stations with a relatively large expandable capacity.

107 MoHESR continues to contribute to the e-government project, in addition to its efforts aimed at linking Iraqi universities through an internal network, or Intranet.

- an electronic archiving system together with local area networks (LAN) for the centre of the Ministry.

Work is also in progress to expand the IP Backbone, and update the aging underground network in order to operate all modern exchanges, as well as establish management domains in the northern, central and southern zones.

With regard to specific projects aimed at linking Iraq’s universities, the development and construction of an integrated university network was amongst objectives promoted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The intention is that the network would enable shared use of software applications to automate procedures promoting a variety of applications of immense benefit to both teaching and research.

A number of public/private cooperative ventures involving ICT enterprises and universities emerged during the latter half of the past decade. As a result private ICT enterprises tended to provide universities with computers and access to the Internet. One example of such ventures is a scheme whereby the ‘Iraqna’ mobile phone network has provided the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Baghdad with Internet Labs.108

IV. 6. ICT human capital formation

Several universities run computer science and engineering programmes. Table (A-IV.3) in the Appendix to this chapter presents a list of departments established by Iraqi universities, including two leading universities, namely the University of Baghdad and the University of Technology. Around 40 departments with curricula covering various aspects of information technology, including hardware and software science and engineering appear to be covered. However, although many of the computer science and engineering departments

108 (UN-ESCWA 2009)

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must offer communication technology courses, only three departments appear to be dedicated to this specialisation, namely, at Al Nahrain, Baghdad and Diyala universities.109 Additionally, many private institutions have been set up over the past decades with view to training junior ICT professionals.

Efforts aimed at disseminating ICT literacy will ultimately have numerous benefits for education, in general, and higher education, in particular, as well as create demand for related products and services, whose design, manufacture and delivery would in turn require scientific research in various disciplines.

Dissemination of ICT literacy is also of special importance for development in rural and less privileged locations. Iraq’s central Government and local municipalities provided strong support for a project implemented by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA),110 with the objective of creating Multipurpose Technology Community Centres (MTCC) to provide ICT-based educational, training and enterprise support services in rural communities and poor areas. Two model centres have been established since June 2006, providing:

• Training in basic computer skills based on the International Computer Driving Licence (IDCL);

• Language training in Arabic, English, Turkish and Persian;

• Training in a number of skills for prospective entrepreneurs, e.g. in agro-food industries;

• Internet access for nominal fees, utilised in support of MTCC upkeep.

Trainers charged with running MTCC facilities received special training and arrangements were adopted at 109 Diala University’s computer science and

engineering department is in fact dedicated to satellite communications.

110 The MTCC project was implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipalities and Works and in close cooperation with local municipal authorities in two locations, in Altun Kopri, near Kirkuk, in the North, and Al Nasiriya, in Thi Qar Governorate in the South.

the Centres with view to encouraging women and youth to take utilise the facilities. Future ICT policies would do well to study the impact of such projects in trying to replicate and disseminate future initiatives aimed at local community development.

IV. 7. Recent ICT capacity building initiatives

Iraq’s Virtual LibraryWith the particular aim of facilitating access to information by universities, research centres and their subsidiary institutions, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad established the Iraq Virtual Science Library (IVSL), whose membership extends over 25 universities and five ministries. Subscribers to IVSL were reported as having exceeded 6,000 in 2009, with free access to thousands of new books, magazines and current scientific journals for students, researchers and academics. Over 300,000 books and articles are reported as having been electronically retrieved from this library within 2008.

Iraqi Networking Academies ProjectIraqi Networking Academies Project (INAP) was launched early in the present decade. It was jointly funded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Iraqi Government. A budget of around US$14million was allocated for the purchase and installation of equipment at five regional academies throughout Iraq as well as forty local academies.111 The main objective of the Project was to train trainers to teach courses in telecommunications and computer networking. Frame (IV-1) provides a summary of the Iraqi Networking Academies Project.

111 Regional networking academies are directly supervised by a training centre at the American University in Beirut, while the local networking academies are supervised by regional academies.

95

IV. 8. The ICT sector in Iraq 112

While the ICT sector could be the source of immense support for higher education and research it may also be the target of research, technology development and innovative activities in its own right. The pervasiveness and immense utility of the ICT sector as well as the resources it attracts should provide strong impetus for universities and research centres to engage in such activities.

The ICT sector in Iraq receives investment from both the Iraqi Government as well as private investors. The former invested an estimated US$250 million, in 2009. On the other hand, investments in telecoms networks amounted to more than US$3.75 billion, essentially in mobile phone licenses and revenues produced by mobile network firms. Furthermore, it is estimated that the salaries of employees in the Iraqi ICT sector amounted to about ID69 billions in 2006 and ID78 billions in 2007.113

112 More than 10,000 academies have reportedly been established across the world with about 480,000 students benefiting from training provided.

113 This represents an annual increase of around 13 percent.

IV. 8. 1. ICT access for Arabic speakers

With particular regard to Arabization of ICT tools and resources, intense efforts have been reported throughout the latter part of the last decade, including publication of several dictionaries and glossaries on the web as well as the creation of numerous websites.114 At the regional level, Iraq is one of the sponsors of the initiative of the Arabization of ICT terms that was launched in 2006 by the World Conference on Telecommunication Development in Doha.115

IV. 8. 2. Research and development within the ICT sector

Essential actors in the national ICT industry include mixed sector firms, such as the General Company for Electronic Industries (GCEI), which specializes in the manufacture of a wide range of ICT products,116 the General Company for Information Systems (GCIS), which is linked to the Ministry of Industry and the Salam Public Company which manufacturers a variety of ICT products and is linked to the Ministry of Housing and Construction. In particular,

114 (UN-ESCWA 2009)115 (UN-ESCWA 2009)116 Including digital exchanges.

Chapter Four

Frame (IV-1); Iraqi Networking Academies Project Summary

The Iraqi Networking Academies Project (INAP) is aimed at setting up learning centres designed to provide educational and training courses in communications technology. INAP provides students with internationally recognized certification, namely the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), as well as other related certificates. INAP is based on the Cisco Networking Academies Program (CNAP), which is currently implemented in nearly 170 countries.27

INAP was launched in August 2004, with funding from the Iraq Trust Fund of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG-ITF). It was finalised in June 2008. Funds for the project amounted to $4.78 millions. It was managed by UN-ESCWA. The Academies are expected to train and certify 50 instructors and 1500 students every year.

Five regional networking academies (RNAs) were established, two in Baghdad and one each in Basra Mosul and Erbil. In addition to Cisco lab bundles, including routers, switches, access points, bridges, etc., each academy is equipped with fifteen computers a server as well as a variety of other relevant equipment. Each RNA is responsible for establishing a specified number of satellite local networking academies (LNAs) in neighbouring universities, colleges, and technical training institutions. Thirty nine LNAs were planned throughout Iraq. However, security and other considerations have led to

only 25 of the planned LNAs being established by 2007.


96

GCEI apparently possesses laboratories specialising in research and systems design.117 Research centres have been established by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) with the aim of disseminating ICT systems. These include: the Microwave and Navigation Centre, the Telecommunications Centre, the digital communications centre, the Precision and Electronic Microprocessor Centre, and the Control and Mechatronics Centre. Other centres within the information technology division at MoST include: the Software and Systems Integration Centre, the Intelligent Systems Centre, the Telematics Centre and the Computer Networks and Internet Centre.118

ICT-related research and development departments in established universities and ministries are credited with performing a major role in introducing and disseminating ICT in the country at large. In particular the Iraqi Commission for Computers and Informatics took the lead in offering undergraduate courses of study and setting up computer labs. This has helped create a sizable contingent of qualified professionals who went on to populate computer engineering and computer science departments throughout the country.119

117 It would be good to find out what areas of systems design are tackled.

118 None of these centres is included in the list of research centres responding to questionnaire forms sent out by the Directorate of Scientific Research at MoHESR in Baghdad within the framework of the UNESCO survey described in Chapter III. It would be well to collect information on these centres’ activities and achievements within future efforts aimed at the design of the proposed Roadmap for revitalisation of science, technology and innovation in Iraq..

119 At least 150 ICCI graduates were reported as working in Iraq’s university computer engineering and computing science departments. (ESCWA 2009)

IV. 9. Concluding remarks

In common with many other countries around the world, and particularly within the Middle East, information and communication technologies in Iraq hold great promise on numerous fronts. While the country has made achievements of several fronts there are nevertheless challenges that need to be tackled, including ICT infrastructure and ICT research institution building.

With regard to policies and regulatory arrangements, there is room for further reform and capacity building, with determined focus on dissemination of ICT facilities and related services throughout the country. Here, it would be advisable to study, and perhaps emulate, successful models adopted by other countries, both within the region as well as overseas, e.g. in India and Latin America.

With regard to infrastructure, there is need for an enhanced optic fibre networks across the country with robust international links. As to ICT research it would be essential to promote successful ICT research centres within academia, schools, various business sectors and the government as well as expand their scope and establish satellite centres throughout.

In relation to technology dissemination and improvement of ICT literacy and utilisation at the individual and institutional levels, it would be advisable to expand and multiply initiatives that have already shown promise, such as the above-mentioned MTCC and INAP initiatives.

Additionally, there may be a lot to be said for greater cooperation with regional actors on issues of common interest such as Arabic language on the Web.

Frame (IV-2) presents a summary of issues and questions that require further consideration with regard to formulation of the proposed Roadmap Revitalisation of Science, Technology

97

and Innovation in Iraq, with particular regard to promoting the ICT sector, and related scientific research targeting dissemination of ICT in the service of national development.

Frame (IV-2); ICT status and future prospects in support for scientific research

Status

In-depth evaluation of ICT infrastructures, in general, and in relation to scientific research, in particular, in terms of adequacy, differences between various institutions and regions. Detailed assessment of current and recent capacity building measures, e.g. the Cisco networking academy schemes and the MTC project championed by UN-ESCWA and the Ministry of Municipalities and Works. Access to data and information, through international databases and databanks.

Future prospects and input to roadmap

How might researchers gain better access to ICTs and the range of networking possibilities these technologies offer? What modalities are there for bringing about improved access? What technological and management possibilities might be exploited for improved links to Iraq’s expatriate scientists and technologists?

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Appendix IV

Table (A-IV.1); Information and communication technology infrastructures accessibility and cost in Arab and selected neighbouring countries

Telephones Internet Accessibility and cost

Mobile and fixed-line phone subscriptions

Population covered by

mobile phone network

UsersBroadband

subscriptions*Personal

computers

Mobile phone connection

charge

Fixed-line phone

connection charge

Price of a 3-minute

local fixed-line phone

call

(/100 people)

(% growth, population-

based)(%)

(/100 people)

(% growth, population-

based)(per 100 people)

(per 100 people)

($) ($) (US cents)

HD Index

Country 20082000–2008

2008 20082000–2008

20082006–2008b

2006–2008◊2006–2008◊

2006–2008◊

32 UAE 242 344 100 65.2 282 12.4 33.1 44.9 49.0 3

38 Qatar 152 593 100 34.0 1,353 8.1 15.7 54.9 54.9 ..

39 Bahrain 214 341 100 51.9 907 14.2 74.6 16.0 53.2 5

47 Kuwait 126 284 100 36.7 601 1.4 .. 17.3 130.1 0‡

53 Libya 93 809 71 5.1 3,130 0.2 .. 3.8 38.1 ..

55 SA 163 837 98 31.5 1,612 4.2 68.3 26.7 80.0 4

70 Iran 94 532 95 32.0 3,483 0.4 10.4 30.8 106.1 1

81 Tunisia 95 813 100 27.1 973 2.2 9.8 4.1 16.2 2

82 Jordan 99 494 99 27.0 1,187 2.2 7.2 0.0 50.5 6

83 Turkey 113 141 100 34.4 916 7.8 .. 16.8 5.8 13

84 Algeria .. .. 82 11.9 2,633 1.4 .. 7.7 46.5 7

101 Egypt 65 678 95 16.6 2,916 0.9 3.9 4.0 74.0 2

111 Syria 52 547 96 17.3 12,156 0.1 8.8 5.7 28.7 ..

133 Yemen 21 1,172 68 1.6 2,367 .. 2.8 6.0 85.1 1

136 Mauritania 67 6,227 62 1.9 1,100 0.2 4.5 11.1 18.5 22

147 Djibouti 15 1,186 85 2.3 1,253 0.3 3.8 28.1 56.2 8

154 Sudan 30 2,916 66 10.2 46,567 0.1 10.7 2.4 0.0 6

… Iraq 61 2,652 72 1.0 .. .. .. .. 159.4 1

… Lebanon 52 65 100 22.5 215 5.0 10.2 47.0 29.9 8

… OPT 38 236 95 9.0 922 2.4 .. .. .. ..

… Oman 125 810 96 20.0 559 1.2 16.9 26.0 26.0 65

* Number of subscriptions to digital subscriber lines, cable modems or other fixed broadband services expressed per 100 people. Includes digital subscriber line/analogue subscriber line connections with speeds of 56 kilobits per second and higher.

◊ Data refer to the most recent year available during the period specified.‡ Locals calls are free.

Sources: Table 17; Human Development Report 2010; United Nations Development Program. Quoting World Bank (2010c) with column 1, calculated based on data on cellular subscribers and telephone lines from. And with columns 2 and 5 calculated based on data on cellular

subscribers and telephone lines from World Bank (2010c) and data on population from UNDESA (2009d). Columns 3 and 6–10 originate from ITU data dated 2009.

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Table (A-IV.2); Internet Users, Percentage Penetration and User Growth during the Years 2000-2010

CountryPopulation

(millions; 2010 Est.)

Internet Users (thousands; Dec. 2000)

Internet Users (thousands; latest data)

Penetration (% population)

User Growth (2000-2010)

Algeria 34.6 50 4,700 13.6 9,300.0

Bahrain 0.738 40 649 88.0 1,523.3

Comoros 0.773 1 24 3.1 1,520.0

Djibouti 0.741 1.4 26 3.5 1,750.0

Egypt 80.5 450 17,060 21.2 3,691.1

Iraq 29.7 12.5 325 1.1 2,500.0

Jordan 6.4 127.3 1,742 27.2 1,268.3

Kuwait 2.8 150 1,100 39.4 633.3

Lebanon 4.1 300 1,000 24.2 233.3

Libya 6.5 10 354 5.5 3,439.0

Mauritania 3.2 5 75 2.3 1,400.0

Morocco 31.6 100 10,442 33.0 10,342.5

Oman 3.0 90 1,237 41.7 1,274.1

Palestine (W. Bank) 2.5 35 356 14.2 917.1

Palestine (Gaza) 1.6 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Qatar 0.84 30 436 51.8 1,353.3

SA 25.7 200 9,800 38.1 4,800.0

Sudan 42 30 4,200 10.0 13,900.0

Syria 22.2 30 3,935 17.7 13,016.7

Tunisia 10.6 100 3,600 34.0 3,500.0

UAE 5 735 3,778 75.9 414.0

Yemen 23.5 15 420 1.8 2,700.0

Source: http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats1.htm. June 2010 Statistics (to check last column from website!!)

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Table (A-IV.3); Information and communication technology departments and colleges in Iraq’s universities

University Name College Name Department

Al Nahrain

Engineering CollegeComputer Engineering

Electronics and Communication Engineering

Information Technology College Information Technology

Science CollegeComputer Science

Mathematics and Computer Applications

Anbar Computers and Mathematics CollegeComputer Science

Information System

BabylonScience College Computer Science

Science College for Girls Computer Science

Baghdad

Engineering College 1Computer Engineering

Electronics and Communication Engineering

Engineering College 2 Information Engineering

Science College Computer Science

Science College for Girls Computer Science

Basra Engineering College Computer Engineering

Dahuk Science College Computer Science

Diwaniyah Science College Computer Science

DiyalaEngineering College

Information Technology

Satellite Communication


Kerbala Science College Computer Science

Kirkuk Science College Computer Science

MosulComputers and Mathematics College

Computer Science

Software

Engineering College Computer Engineering

MustansiryaEngineering College Computer Engineering


Salah Al-Din Engineering College Software Engineering

Sulaymaniyah Science College Computers

Technology

Al Rasheed College Computer Engineering

Computer Control CollegeElectrical College

Computer Engineering

Control Engineering

Mechatronics

Science of Computer College

Artificial Intelligence

Computer Science

Information Systems

Software College Software

Thi Qar Science College Computer Science

Tikrit Science College Computer Science

Source: UNESCO 2010.

Chapter Five

Human Capital Formation for Scientific Research

Chapter Five


102

Table of contentspage

V. 1. Introduction 103

V. 2. Universities in Iraq 103

V. 2. 1. Organizational structures of the Iraqi public universities 105

V. 2. 2. Distribution of university staff across qualification levels 105

V. 2. 3. Distribution of university students across areas of specialisation 106

V. 2. 4. Fields of specialisation taught at Iraq’s universities 107

V. 2. 5. Student-to-Teacher Ratios 109

V. 2. 6. Postgraduate study at Iraq’s universities 109

V. 3. Reform of PhD pathway 110

V. 4. Concluding Remarks 111

Appendix V 113

List of tablespage

V.1Sequence of Establishment of Iraq’s Universities across the past Six Decades

104

A-V.1 Highest Educational Qualification of Iraqi University Staff 113

A-V.2Distribution across academic qualifications (percentages) in ascending order

113

A-V.3 Time Allocation (class periods) for Studies in Secondary Schools 114

A-V.4Achievement-access-efficiency and quality of education in selected Arab and neighbouring countries

114

List of framespage

V-1 The Virtual Campus Initiative in Iraq 105

V-2 Overview of specialisations more commonly taught at Iraqi universities 108

V-3 Supply and training of research manpower 111

V-4 Human capital formation 112

List of figures

page

V. 1Sequence of establishment of Iraq’s universities across the past six decades

104

V. 2Distribution of staff in Iraq’s universities across qualifications and gender

106

V. 3 Distribution of staff in Iraq’s universities across qualification levels 106

V. 4Distribution of staff in selected Iraqi universities across qualifications and gender

107

V. 5 Distribution of Iraq’s university students by fields of study (2002-2003) 107

103

V. 1. Introduction

Iraq is one of the few Arab countries whose higher education systems date back to the first half of last century. While its largest university gained its charter in the late fifties, several colleges of higher education were already in place much earlier, some as far back as the second an third decades of the last century.

Additionally, it has not been long since Iraq’s institutes of higher education were considered among the best in the Middle East. Unfortunately, wars that the country fought in the eighties, nineties and in 2003, followed by severe conflicts, took their toll on all institutions, including the country’s system of higher education.

The following sections take a look at national efforts aimed at human capital formation in Iraq, with emphasis on implications for scientific research. This essential objective is to provide basis for discussions targeting the formulation of a Roadmap for future efforts in human capital formation emphasising Iraq’s scientific research requirements. Frame (V-4) in the final section of this chapter presents a set of issues to be debated in formulating the Roadmap. An appendix is provided with tables including further information on both public and private universities in Iraq.

V. 2. Universities in Iraq

Destruction of infrastructures coupled to waves of assassinations directed at prominent scientists and technologists played havoc with Iraq’s higher education system. An exodus of many scientists and technologists, trying to escape assassination as well as social and economic constraints -still evident in many walks of life all over the country- dealt additional blows to institutions of higher education and, by association, its endogenous scientific and technological capabilities. Understandably, the quality of education witnessed sharp deterioration and scientific output came to a practical standstill. It maybe remarked that institutions of higher education in the Kurdistan Region, although suffering the effects of past neglect, is reported as having largely escaped many of the invasion’s negative effects as well as ensuing conflict.

Detailed discussion of higher education in Iraq falls beyond the scope of the present review. Nevertheless, since universities are a prime source of research workers and are often the site of a good deal of research activity; whether in the quest of higher degrees or simply as a means of gaining academic credentials, a summary survey of published information on Iraq’s universities was undertaken. Tables in Appendix V provide further relevant information.

A survey of Iraq’s university websites generally indicates emphasis on higher education and related training activities, rather than scientific research. Additionally, while several institutions of higher education are reporting as having established research centres, little information is in fact available about their output.

Figure (V-1) and table (V-1) present a summary view of the sequence of establishment of universities in Iraq. Table (V-1) indicates that Iraq’s major universities, e.g. Baghdad University, Mosul University and the University of Sulaymaniya came into being during the fifties and sixties, last century. On the other hand, the 1980’s and 1990’s were notable in terms of creation of several universities. Thus, during these two decades two thirds of country’s universities were founded throughout Iraq.

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Figure (V-1); Sequence of Establishment of Iraq’s Universities across the past Six Decades

1

4

1

8

2

8

0

12

34

56

78

9

1950-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2009Uni

vers

ities

est

ablis

hed

per

deca

de

Souurce: UNESCO, 2004

120

Table (V-1); Sequence of Establishment of Iraq’s Universities across the past Six Decades120

1950-59 1960-69 1970-79 1980-89 1990-99 2000-09

BaghdadBasra

TechnologyMosul

Sulaymaniyah

ICCI

AnbarBabylon

Al-Nahrain Diwaniyah

KerbalaKufa

Salah al-DinTikrit

DiyalaDohuk

Hawler MedicalKoya

MissanMuthanna

KirkukThi-QarWassit

1 4 1 8 2 8

Source: See UNESCO 2010.

Private sector universities are not included here.

It may well be expected that universities established earlier, around the middle of last century, would have had time to develop a tradition in scholarship and research. Such expectations must be somewhat tempered, however, in Iraq’s case, due to depletion in research manpower that took place over the past decades.

On the other hand, while it might be too soon for universities founded much later to have developed research capabilities, several new universities have moved to set up research centres almost as soon as teaching facilities are established. Thus, announcements made by many of the newer universities indicate moves taken to accelerate the creation of research facilities, mainly through agreements with a variety of universities in developed countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States and also in France, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany. It is highly likely that a good proportion of these agreements will succeed in improving research activities at Iraq’s universities. However, it goes without saying that sustained efforts at many levels would be needed in order to reap full benefits from past, current and future collaboration with overseas universities. In particular it would be essential to ascertain that an appropriate environment is put in place, essentially through research-friendly rules and regulations at the national and institutional levels. Additionally, it would be essential to maintain and multiply links to outside sources of research expertise as well as create modalities for sharing research experience and results within Iraq.

Resorting to new information and communications technologies with accent on networking solutions should considerably facilitate such networking initiatives. This will become increasingly possible as more of Iraq’s universities are able to access modern ICT facilities. See frame (V-1).

120 Private sector universities are not included here.

105

V. 2. 1. Organizational structures of the Iraqi public universities121 122

Frame (V-1); The Virtual Campus Initiative in Iraq

In 2009, three of Iraq’s principal universities, namely the Universities of Baghdad, Basra and Salah Al Din, joined the UNESCO Virtual Campus initiative,121 targeting teacher training in the development and delivery of on-line curricula in science and technology. Projects implemented within this initiative in the countries around the Mediterranean are being carried out under the rubric “Avicenna Virtual Campus for Science and Technology (AVCST).”122 In essence, AVCST is an e-learning knowledge network, providing models for quality online teacher training and education for students. In addition to helping educate students and share skills, AVCST will allow sharing of resources and

research results among universities taking part.

A recent assessment of higher education in Iraq123 has concluded that the organizational structures of the Iraqi public universities and other higher education institutions were in need of radical re-shuffling. Furthermore, it was concluded that this reorganisation was particularly necessary with regard to the universities’ top management. At present, universities throughout Iraq have two assistants; one in charge of administrative affairs and the other responsible for “scientific” affairs. This, it is argued, was inadequate, due to the diversity of issues that need to be handled under the two headings; “scientific” and “administrative.” It would, therefore, recommends that universities create several vice-presidential posts, with specific responsibilities such as; planning and development, teaching and learning, scientific research and innovation, outreach and community service, students’ affairs, administrative and financial affairs, human resources management, and national, regional and international cooperation.

V. 2. 2. Distribution of university staff across qualification levels

Table (A-V.1) in Appendix V together with figures (V-2) and (V-3) provide some insight into qualifications attained by staff at Iraq’s universities as well as gender distribution across qualification levels. Figure (V-2) clearly indicates relative prevalence of MS and BS holders among staff members.124 This may be taken to indicate a healthy situations, particularly in cases where arrangements are such that staff with lower qualifications have significant chances of attaining higher degrees, through appropriate courses of study and associated research activity. However, given that Iraqi universities possess a limited number of research centres and in the absence of information on research activity leading to staff mobility towards higher qualifications, it is more likely that the preponderance of MS and BS degrees is due to a sizable proportion of staff dedicated to administrative duties as well as teaching support. Needless to say, arrangements that would allow staff to attain higher qualifications should be a central concern in the design of the forthcoming Roadmap.

121 Avicenna was launched by UNESCO in November 2002 with funding from the European Commission through its Euro-Mediterranean Information Society (EUMEDIS) programme.

122 After the tenth century Persian scientist and philosopher Ibn Sina, known in the Latin world of the middle ages as Avicenna.

123 “Modernization of the Education Sector in Iraq; Rapid Assessment of the Management of the Education System.” Prepared by Ramzi Salamé for the UNESCO Office for Iraq. 11th November 2010.

124 It is not clear whether the figures are of teaching staff rather than the totality of university staff, including for example staff engaged in administrative and other support activities. The assessment carried out by Salamé for UNESCO, quotes the percentage of teaching staff without doctorate degrees in excess of 52 percent.

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106

Figure (V-2); Distribution of staff in Iraq's univesrity staff across qualification levels

PhD, 5036, 28%

MS, 6920, 39%

BS, 5920, 33%

Figure (V-3); Distribution of staff in Iraq's universities across qualification and gender

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

PhD MS BS

Female Male

Source: UNESCO 2004. See also Table (A-V.1) in appendix V.

Table (A-V.2) in annex (V) provides more detailed information concerning the comparative distribution of university staff across academic qualifications. This table indicates some variation in distribution patterns with a few universities enjoying larger-than-average percentages of PhD holders, notably Al Nahrain (73.8%), ICCI (52.8%). While a few other universities appear to have much lower percentages of PhD holders among their staff, e.g. Karbala (6.4%), Al Qadisiya (9.6%) and Thi Qar (10.1%). The national average of PhD holders among university staff is around 28 percent. Similar variation is observed with regard to the distribution of MS holders.

It would appear that a distribution such as that possessed by the Al Nahrain University (PhD:73.8%, MS: 10.5%, BS:15.6%) might be closer to an ideal situation with regard to scientific research requirements. Since scientific research activities require a critical mass of staff with proven experience in scientific research. On the other hand, it seems that a distribution such as the one possessed by Thi Qar University (PhD:10.1%, MS:46.7%, BS:43.2%) or that possessed by the University of Qadisiya (PhD:9.6%, MS:40.3%, BS:50.2%) might be inadequate, unless collaborative research schemes are implemented with other universities in Iraq and abroad.

Figure (V-4) provides a more detailed view of the distribution of staff at selected universities across qualifications and gender. This figure also indicates representation of female and male staff across universities and qualification levels. This figure clearly indicates that females university staff constitute a smaller proportion of PhD holders in all Iraqi universities, while they are represented by a higher proportion than male staff members among BS holders. As to the proportion of female staff among MS holders, this figure shows that Baghdad University is the only one among those included in the figure, for which the proportion of female MS holders exceeds their male counterparts in the same category.

V. 2. 3. Distribution of university students across areas of specialisation

Figure (V-5) indicates that close to one third of all university students in Iraq are enrolled in science, engineering and agriculture disciplines. This is comparable to corresponding proportions of students taking up these subjects in developed countries, such as France (25%), UK (29%) and Germany (31%). It is also close to corresponding percentages for countries in its immediate neighbourhood, such as Jordan and Syria for which the percentage of students in these disciplines is around (27%). The fact that several development priorities in Iraq are in need of expertise in these disciplines augurs well for future research planning and must be built upon in the design of the Roadmap and derived implementation strategies.

107

Figure (V-4); Distribution of staff in selected Iraqi universities across qualifications and gender

0

400

800

1,200

Anbar

Babylo

n

Baghd

ad

Basra

h

Mos

ul

Mus

tans

iriya

Salah

Al-D

in

Techno

logy

Tikrit

PhD (F ) PhD (M ) M S (F ) M S (M ) B S (F ) B S (M )

Source: Adapted from UNESCO 2004 into table (V-1) in Annex (V)

V. 2. 4. Fields of specialisation taught at Iraq’s universities

Based on available information, it would seem that most universities established during the past decade, in the Kurdistan Region for example, follow much the same patterns set by higher education institutions established during the seventies and eighties. The fact that few variations on a basic model of degree courses, in medicine, engineering, management and economics, etc., may well be due to past policies that sought to provide nationally uniform qualifications without much regard to actual requirements, whether such requirements originated in the market or necessitated by effective sustainable development.

Figure (V-5); Distribution of Iraq’s University Students by Fields of Study (2002-2003)

33%

29%

15%

12%

11%

Education Sciences, engineering and agricultureLaw and social sciences MedicineHumanities

Source: UNESCO 2004

Frame (V-2) provides a brief account of specialisations taught by Iraqi universities. Some of the universities teach these degrees only at the undergraduate level. A more limited number of universities also run postgraduate courses, mostly at the Masters level. The older and more well-established universities, such as Baghdad and Mosul, award PhD degrees in a variety of specialisations.

Making university education more widely available has prompted several universities to introduce evening courses. Thus, it is estimated that at least one third of Iraqi students are enrolled in evening studies, combining work with learning. Additionally, at least one university in Iraq125 has already established a centre for continuing education.

125 The University of Technology in Baghdad.

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Frame (V-2); Overview of specialisations more commonly taught at Iraqi universities

Medicine is offered in at least 14 colleges in 12 universities.1 In fact the universities of Baghdad and Mosul have two colleges of medicine each. Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad is home to another centre for medical studies. Allied fields of study are offered by 24 colleges. See the adjoining table.

Dentistry Nursing Pharmacy Veterinary medicine

7 5 6 6

Engineering is a well developed discipline of higher education in Iraqi universities. The University of Technology in Baghdad is a leading institution for engineering studies, with 13 different colleges offering courses in a relatively wide range of fields. Twelve other universities offer engineering degree courses. The most prevalent engineering specialisation are civil and computer engineering. See table below.

With particular regard to computer engineering, software development courses are available in Mosul, Engineering degree courses

Number of Colleges

Civil 13*

Architecture 3

Electrical 11

Mechanical 12

Computer2 15†

Chemical 6

Materials 3

Mechatronics 2

Industrial 2

Environmental 2

Petroleum/Refining 2

* Including a department of building and construction engineering. † Includes departments that teach electronics as well as a department at Diyala University specialising in satellite communications.

Salah Al-Din and at the University of Technology and Al-Nahrain, in Baghdad. Additionally, the Commission for Computers and Informatics grants higher degrees in computer studies, including information systems, computer and software engineering. Other engineering degree courses are also offered in fields such as automotive, aeronautics, metallurgical, biomedical, surveying and nuclear engineering at Baghdad University, power technology and, highway and transport engineering at Mustansiriya University, and marine engineering at Basra University. It is worth noting that only two universities in Iraq, namely the University of Technology in Baghdad, and Baghdad University offer degrees in petroleum and refining engineering.3 The Technical College in Basra and the Technical College in Kirkuk specialize in fuel and energy technology.Some universities have ventured into new frontiers, establishing degree courses in novel engineering disciplines, such as remote sensing at the University of Baghdad and Mosul; atmospheric sciences at Mustansiriya; laser engineering units at Al Nahrain University and University of Technology; mechatronics at Baghdad University and the University of Technology; biotechnology centres at Nahrain and Baghdad University; and satellite communication at Diyala.Agriculture and irrigation: Nine colleges of agriculture were reported to be offering plant production, plant protection, animal production, agricultural economy, extension and machinery, field crops, food science and technology and soil and water studies. Basra offers degree courses in fisheries, while Mosul and Dohuk offer degrees in forestry studies and Anbar university specialises in desert studies. Irrigation studies are offered by five universities. Courses concerning water resources and dams are offered at Anbar University, water resource engineering courses are offered by Dohuk University and in irrigation and drainage engineering courses are provided by the universities, of Mosul, Sulaymaniya and Baghdad University.Environmental studies: Pioneers in offering degree courses in this field are Baghdad University and Al Mustansiriya University. Diwaniyah University, has also set up an environment unit within its College of Science. On the other hand, the Universities of Mosul and Babylon are reported as having established environment research centres.

1 Al Mustansiriya University’s medical college was the only one in Iraq with its own teaching hospital. While this hospital is now run by the Ministry of Health, training graduates of the medical college is nevertheless ongoing.

2 There are 29 departments offering computer science courses. However, several of these were in fact reported as part of various colleges of science and education, and eight computer science departments were reported as part of engineering colleges. (UNESCO 2004)

3 Technical training activities in these fields are provided by the Ministry of Petroleum in special institutes established in Baghdad, Basra and Kirkuk. In drafting future research and training programmes it would be interesting to find out what collaboration does in fact take place between these institutes and university staff, especially in applied research.

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Fields of specialisation that fall within information and communications technologies are especially important, both as targets for, and effective enablers of, research in many other fields. In 2002/2003, about 12,000 students were studying computer science and engineering, software development or information technology. Such figures would need to be viewed against immense difficulties regarding import of computers and software for a considerable period of time during the past two decades.

V. 2. 5. Student-to-Teacher Ratios

Student-to-teacher ratios are generally accepted as an important indicator of teaching quality in all stages of education. They tend to be more important at the university level especially when teachers also need to supervise theses and dissertations as well as directly undertake research activity themselves.

The student-to-teacher ratio in university education is clearly quite favourable at Iraq’s universities; averaging at around 13 students per member of the teaching staff. It is indeed far more favourable than that in many neighbouring developing countries, e.g. in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, where values of this ratio are close to 30 and 20, respectively. A commonly acceptable value of this ratio in science engineering and medical disciplines in developed countries is in the range of 7-10 students per teaching staff member.

Nevertheless, it seems that this ratio varies considerably from one Iraqi university to another. Thus, the student/teacher ratio at the University of Wassit is around 43. While the corresponding values of this ratio at the University of Tikrit and Al Nahrain University were 6 and 7, respectively. It is worth noting, that the University of Baghdad and Al Mustansiriya University, appear to possess relatively high values of this ratio, at 17 and 20 students per teaching staff member, respectively. On the other hand, with 10 as the average value of the ratio of students to teaching staff, the University of Technology is well positioned in relation to international standards.126

Favourable average ratios of students to staff are generally observed in colleges of medicine and agriculture at a number of universities.127 Certain individual colleges possess even better ratios. Thus, the ratios at the Al-Kindi Medical College of Baghdad University and at Al Nahrain University were 2.4 and 2.6, respectively. As for colleges of agriculture, the student-to-teacher ratio at the College of Agriculture and Forestry of Mosul University is as low as 4.

V. 2. 6. Postgraduate study at Iraq’s universities

Postgraduate education is a direct contributor to scientific research capacity; in terms of educating qualified manpower and in generating scientific output, in the form of theses and research papers. Recent reports, especially from the Kurdistan Region, have been critical of postgraduate education in the country as a whole. Misgivings often aired have addressed duration, limited scope and insularity suffered by courses of higher education, particularly at the PhD level.

The following paragraphs address steps that concerned institutions in the Kurdistan Region have taken to remedy the situation. No comparable efforts appear to have

126 UNESCO 2004, the source of these figures quotes the “European University Association’s Annual Conference, April 12-14, 2002, Roskilde, Denmark;” as reference to the commonly acceptable value of this ratio.

127 Much higher ratios were found in the colleges of administration and economics, education and law.

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been taken at the national level. Clearly, further and more concerted efforts would be needed on this score.

V. 3. Reform of PhD pathway

Postgraduate training programmes throughout Iraq have generally shown poor performance with regard to acquisition of cutting-edge science and technology. While this may in part be due to years of boycotts and sanctions, a good deal may also have been due to the manner in which such programmes were conceived and managed, even in the years that followed the collapse of the old regime.

At any rate, what appears certain to planners at the Ministry in the Kurdistan Region is that clear guiding principles and corresponding resources are lacking. As a result, students are not offered adequate opportunities to acquire in-depth expertise in research nor are they encouraged to be as creative and innovative as they need to be in order to lead processes of transformation in their respective domains.128

The proposed new pathway which has already been endorsed129 places sharper focus on the Region’s needs while connecting to centres of expertise around the world. The new PhD pathway extends the minimum period required for attaining this qualification to four, rather than the customary three years.130 Additionally, it does away with the first year Masters-style teaching programmes and corresponding examinations. Furthermore, PhD candidates, who may not exceed 45 years of age,131 are jointly supervised by a local and an international scientist from a recognised centre of excellence, ensuring the production of international quality research and joint publications of research results with international impact. This, it is hoped, would help cement strong links with established research institutions across the world and should also provide researchers with the chance of joining international research networks.

In the new system, the first year of the PhD pathway is dedicated to having candidates master research methodologies and ethics, conduct literature surveys and generally become familiar with research in the intended field of specialisation. The candidate’s performance during this initial year is evaluated by two examiners, a local and an international professor, on the basis of a detailed academic report submitted by the candidate. If successful, the candidate travels to work at the external supervisor’s institution to do at least one whole year of research, following a period of language training. The candidate then returns home to resume her/his research. An exchange of visits by the internal and external supervisors to one another’s research facility is included as an essential requirement with view to cementing

128 One of the main shortcomings of the present route taken by PhD candidates is the fact that contents of the first year of PhD programmes in most universities are almost identical to those they were exposed to during work for their Master’s degrees. Additionally, the following two years of research work are simply too short for producing adequate results.

129 By the relevant Council at the Ministry. Furthermore, it was agreed that the previous three-year scheme would be allowed to run concurrently with the new pathway for the duration of the academic year the 2010-2011.

130 The entire duration of PhD studies may be extended by an additional period of six months if needed. The new scheme posted on the Ministry’s website does not indicate what measures might be taken should the period of four and a half years be insufficient to finalise planned research activities.

131 The Ministry’s statement concerning the new PhD scheme indicates, however, that for long-term investment in human capital building, priority would always be given to young scholars.

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links between partner institutions as well as prepare grounds for the adoption of future PhD candidates for joint supervision.

One of the main outcomes of such a scheme is the creation of a collaborative team that would inevitably possess greater impact on the quality of science performed by PhD candidates as well as lead to long-lasting benefits for the Region, in terms of human capital formation, and hopefully insofar as socioeconomic development is concerned.

Among conditions attached to the new scheme is publication of at least one research article in an international refereed scientific journal during the four year period.132 This condition will presently apply only in the life and natural sciences.133

In addition to reforming the PhD pathway the Ministry of Higher Education is also introducing a scheme whereby academic faculty members will be given the opportunity to update their knowledge, acquire new skills as well as widen the scope of their scientific networks, through engaging in collaborative research as frequently as possible. According to this scheme, academics are encouraged, whenever possible, to take sabbatical leaves and are also provided with financial incentives to work in international centres of excellence along with their own students, for periods of between 3 - 12 months. Additional benefits of this scheme include opportunities for identifying future joint research projects and supervisors.

Frame (V-3); Supply and training of research manpower

The total number of university students in Iraq was probably around 250 thousand towards the beginning of the present decade. Based on this figure, the number of science, engineering and medicine students graduating annually would likely have exceeded 15,000. Should only 20 percent of these graduates have opted for further studies involving research work in their respective specialisations then this would mean at least 3,000 students per year joining the ranks of researchers in one or another of the disciplines for which higher degrees studies are available in Iraq. This would represent a significant level of research activity in the country. Furthermore, if properly managed, such research activity would clearly add a great deal to the stock of national knowledge in a variety of disciplines and might also result in the creation and consolidation of numerous research schools in various disciplines.

On the other hand, it should be acknowledged that human capital formation suffers some inherent weaknesses with roots as far back as the secondary level of education. In particular, time, in terms of class periods, allocated to the study of science and maths does not seem sufficient to produce well rounded students to engage in higher studies, in general, let alone, fields of higher studies and research in frontier areas of science and engineering. Thus, in the final two years of schooling for students opting for the “science branch” of secondary education, only around 50% of all class periods are allocated to teaching mathematics and scientific subjects, namely, biology, chemistry and physics. The rest of class periods are allocated to a variety of subjects including languages, social sciences and humanities as well as physical education. See table (A-V.3) in Appendix V.134

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V. 4. Concluding Remarks

Two principal issues arise when discussing human capital formation with view to promoting scientific research at the national level. The first and more obvious issue

132 This condition further stipulates that research outcomes are published in a journal with an impact factor not below 1.000.

133 Special regulations for PhDs in the humanities will be produced in due course.134 More recent data may be available. Figures quoted in this table appear to date back to 2002 or

thereabouts.

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is ensuring that adequate numbers of researchers are being trained to join the ranks at research centres and university laboratories. The second concerns the necessity of adequate training, not only at the university level, important as this may be, but even during earlier schooling at the secondary and even earlier levels. Comments presented in frame (V-3) address these two issues on the basis of available data. There will clearly be need for a further and more recent data before conclusions may be drawn on both scores. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that adequate training of researchers must start with radical change in methodologies, aimed at inculcating a critical and enquiring spirit at the very early stages. However it is also essential that students are allowed adequate exposure to science and technology subject matter before embarking upon their university studies. In principle, Iraq has what it takes to forge a brighter future in scientific research and in employing the fruits of science and technology to attain development goals. However, conducting scientific research and utilising its outcomes in overall socioeconomic development, in a given country, may not be considered in isolation from the level of education enjoyed by its population.

Table (A-V.4) in the appendix to this part of the review presents data on education in Iraq as well as Arab and two neighbouring countries, namely Turkey and Iraq. A review of data on countries around the world would reveal that, at around 78 percent, the literacy rate in Iraq is low compared to other countries listed in this table. At around 26 percent, the number of Iraqi youth with secondary education is also one of the lowest among corresponding percentages listed reliable references, such as the UNDP Human Development Report.135 Access to secondary and tertiary education is considerably lower than in other countries listed in this source. Clearly, a great deal needs to be done on the education front if science, technology and innovation in Iraq are to make a difference to its future on several fronts.

Frame (V-4); Human capital formationStatus

Overview of efforts aimed at education and training of researchers; with accent on orientations, efficacy, short- and long-term benefits, as well as gender parity in the country’s scientific research establishment. What role is being performed by links to Iraq’s research Diaspora (/expatriate research communities in the developed countries)? Comparative assessment of various modalities aimed at research manpower formation.

Future prospects and input to roadmap

What programmes have been most effective in research manpower formation? How might inter-institutional and international networking and collaboration improve future efforts aimed at research manpower formation? How could gender parity be improved?

Iraq appears to have made considerable efforts in the past with regard to educating its educators. Almost all of its universities possess colleges of education. It should, therefore, be possible to promote change on a wide range of issues regarding both educational content and quality of its delivery.

In particular, research on improving education must count among Iraq’s foremost priorities, with emphasis on access to new technology in all levels of education as well as enhancing time allocated and the quality of educational curricula in science- and technology-related subjects.

135 Figures quoted here are taken from a table constructed on the basis of the UNDP Human Development Report for the year 2010.

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Appendix V

Table (A-V.1); Highest Educational Qualification of Iraqi University StaffFaculty Total

PhD (F)

PhD (M)

PhD Total

PhD %

MS(F)

MS (M)

MS Total

MS %

BS(F)

BS(M)

BSTotal

BS%

Anbar 800 9 183 192 24.0 36 223 259 32.4 171 178 349 43.6

Babylon 882 11 177 188 21.3 110 198 308 34.9 222 164 386 43.8

Baghdad 3962 390 1127 1517 38.3 948 621 1569 39.6 666 210 876 22.1

Basra 1898 66 257 323 17.0 303 428 731 38.5 519 325 844 44.5

Diyala 442 15 94 109 24.7 63 87 150 33.9 111 72 183 41.4

Qadisiya 658 5 58 63 9.6 83 182 265 40.3 206 124 330 50.2

Islamic Univ. 36 0 11 11 30.6 0 25 25 69.4 0 0 0 0.0

Karbala 264 1 16 17 6.4 23 61 84 31.8 114 49 163 61.7

Mosul 2935 163 778 941 32.1 608 757 1365 46.5 377 252 629 21.4

Mustansiriya 1584 143 358 501 31.6 331 252 583 36.8 379 121 500 31.6

Salah Al-Din 1427 21 219 240 16.8 207 353 560 39.2 368 259 627 43.9

Technology 1267 45 225 270 21.3 227 328 555 43.8 271 171 442 34.9

Thi-Qar 227 6 17 23 10.1 24 82 106 46.7 59 39 98 43.2

Tikrit 1084 45 334 379 35.0 92 194 286 26.4 193 226 419 38.7

Wassit 99 0 40 40 40.4 7 30 37 37.4 15 7 22 22.2

Al Nahrain 275 44 159 203 73.8 21 8 29 10.5 41 2 43 15.6

ICCI 36 1 18 19 52.8 3 5 8 22.2 6 3 9 25.0

Total 17876 965 4071 5036 28.2 3086 3834 6920 38.7 3718 2202 5920 33.1

Source: “Iraq Education in Transition: Needs and Challenges, 2004;” United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, Division of Educational Policies and Strategies. Published in 2005.

Table (A-V.2); Distribution across academic qualifications (percentages) in ascending order

UniversityPhD

%University

MS %

UniversityBSc %

Karbala 6.4 Al Nahrain 10.5 Islamic Univ. 0

Qadisiya 9.6 ICCI 22.2 Al Nahrain 15.6

Thi-Qar 10.1 Tikrit 26.4 Mosul 21.4

Salah Al-Din 16.8 Karbala 31.8 Baghdad 22.1

Basra 17 Anbar 32.4 Wassit 22.2

Babylon 21.3 Diyala 33.9 ICCI 25

Technology 21.3 Babylon 34.9 Mustansiriya 31.6

Anbar 24 Mustansiriya 36.8 Average 33.1

Diyala 24.7 Wassit 37.4 Technology 34.9

Average 28.2 Basra 38.5 Tikrit 38.7

Islamic Univ. 30.6 Average 38.7 Diyala 41.4

Mustansiriya 31.6 Salah Al-Din 39.2 Thi-Qar 43.2

Mosul 32.1 Baghdad 39.6 Anbar 43.6

Tikrit 35 Qadisiya 40.3 Babylon 43.8

Baghdad 38.3 Technology 43.8 Salah Al-Din 43.9

Wassit 40.4 Mosul 46.5 Basra 44.5

ICCI 52.8 Thi-Qar 46.7 Qadisiya 50.2

Al Nahrain 73.8 Islamic Univ. 69.4 Karbala 61.7

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Table (A-V.3); Time Allocation (class periods) for Studies in Secondary Schools

Subject Grade11Scientific

Grade11Scientific

Grade12Scientific

Grade12Scientific

Islamic Education 3

14

3

12

Arabic Language 4 4

Kurdish Language 2 -

English Language 5 5

History -

Geography - -

Sociology - -

Economics - -

Mathematics 6

18

5

17Chemistry 4 4

Physics 4 4

Biology 4 4

Physical Education, Military Training & Civil Defence 2

4

1

3Art Education 1 1

National Education 1 1

TOTAL 36 36 33 33

Source: Educational Research and Study Centre of MOE of Iraq: The Development of Education, National Report on Iraq, Baghdad, 2001

Table (A-V.4); Achievement, access, efficiency and quality of education in selected Arab and neighbouring countries

HDIIndex

Achievement in Education

Access to EducationEfficiency of

Primary EducationQuality of Primary

Education

Adult literacy

rate

Population with at least

secondary education

Primary enrolment rate (% of primary

school-age population)

Secondary enrolment ratio (% of secondary

school-age population)

Tertiary enrolment

ratio (% of

tertiary school-age population)

Dropout rate, all grades

(% of primary school cohort)

Repetition rate, all grades

(% of total primary

enrolment in

previous years)

Pupil-teacher

rate (number of pupils

per teacher)

Primary school

teachers trained to teach

%(% ages 15 and older)

(% ages 25 and older)

Net Gross Net Gross Gross

2005–2008a

20102001–2009a

2001–2009a

2001–2009a

2001–2009a

2001–2009a2005–2008a

2005–2008a

2005–2008a

2005–2008a

32 UAE 90.0 .. 107.9 91.6 93.8 83.8 25.2 0.0 1.9 17.2 100.0

38 Qatar 93.1 54.1b,c 108.6 94.1 93.2 79.2 11.0 3.3 0.6 .. 52.3

39 Bahrain 90.8 48.1 105.3 97.9 96.8 89.4 29.9 1.3b 2.0 .. ..

47 Kuwait 94.5 56.9 95.5 87.6 90.8 79.9 17.6 0.5 0.9 9.1 100.0b

53 Libya 88.4 .. 110.3 .. 93.5 .. 55.7b .. .. .. ..

55Saudi Arabia

85.5 48.8b,c 98.4 84.5 94.6 73.0 29.9 3.6 3.3 .. 91.5

81 Tunisia 78.0 23.1 107.6 97.7 90.2 65.8 31.6 5.9 8.5 17.3 ..

82 Jordan 92.2 54.2 96.3 89.1 86.3 83.7 37.7 0.9 0.6 12.2 ..

84 Algeria 72.6 25.9 107.5 94.9 83.2 66.3 23.9 7.1 7.8 .. 98.9

101 Egypt 66.4 36.1 99.7 93.6 79.3 71.2 31.2 3.2 3.1 21.9b 99.9b

147 Djibouti .. .. 55.5 45.3 29.5 24.4 2.6 .. 10.6 .. 80.3

154 Sudan 69.3 11.5 74.0 39.2 38.0 .. 5.9b 6.9 4.9 36.7 61.0

133 Yemen 60.9 .. 85.4 72.7 45.7 37.4 10.2 40.5b 5.7 .. ..

111 Syria 83.6 33.5 124.4 94.5 74.0 67.7 .. 3.3 7.5 .. 88.4

114 Morocco 56.4 .. 106.9 89.5 55.8 34.5 12.3 23.8 11.9 29.9 100.0b

.. Iraq 77.6 26.3 98.0 87.3 46.8 39.6 15.7 29.9b 8.0 20.5 100.0b

.. Lebanon 89.6 .. 101.1 88.3 81.6 74.6 51.5 6.9 8.8 17.8 13.3

OPT 94.1 47.3b,c 80.4 73.3 92.4 88.6 47.2 0.9 0.5 29.0 100.0

Oman 86.7 .. 75.0 68.3 88.1 78.2 26.3 0.5 1.1 14.3 100.0b

83 Turkey 88.7 22.3 97.6 93.9 82.1 71.2 37.1 5.8 2.1 .. ..

70 Iran 82.3 29.5 128.4 99.7 79.7 75.1 36.1 12.2b 1.8 20.0b 100.0b

Source : Human Development Report, 2010. United Nationa Development Program

Chapter Six

Towards a Better Future for Science, Technology and Innovation in Iraq


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VI. 1. Introduction

Iraq has been unique among all other countries of the region, in terms of the damage that befell its S&T infrastructure and institutional landscape. Conditions during much of the eighties and nineties were detrimental to both its higher education and research institutions. Following its invasion, in 2003, many academics were assassinated136 and numerous institutions burned and looted,137 with disastrous consequences for the country’s higher education and research institutions. While the entire country suffered terrible conditions during decades of sanctions, wars and subsequent chaos that followed its invasion, the Kurdish Region stands out as bearing a much heavier burden due to discrimination and inequity by successive governments in Baghdad for several preceding decades.

However, even when the country did enjoy relative stability and plentiful resources, its S&T capabilities suffered numerous distortions, with the largest proportion of resources, in terms of manpower and finances, allocated to a variety of

136 The number of Iraqi academics reported as killed by October 2010 was reported as exceeding 449. On the other hand, press reports indicate that the number of academics from the universities of Baghdad and Basra alone exceeded 500. See: http://www.brussellstribunal.org/. See also press reports under:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/iraqs-universities-are-in-meltdown-427316.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2006/dec/a2/internationaeducationnews.highereducation

http://www.brusselstribunal.org/academicsList.htm.

137 Dated in 2006, a report by the Association of Iraqi Academics (AIA) quoted the United Nations University as stating that “… some 84 per cent of Iraq‘s institutions of higher education have already been burnt, looted or destroyed. Iraq‘s educational system used to be among the best in the region; one of the country‘s most important assets was its well-educated people.” See the AIA document titled “Madrid International Seminar on the Assassination of Iraqi Academics;” 22nd - 23rd April 2006.

research projects aimed at enhancing defence and security capabilities, to the neglect of other far more beneficial fields of research targeting sustainable national development.

Implications of this state of affairs for socioeconomic development, in general, and development-oriented research activities, in particular, have been nothing short of disastrous. To be sure, some measures have been taken to improve certain aspects. Nevertheless, Iraq’s S&T capabilities which sustained a great deal of damage due to decades of war and sanctions are still far from having recovered.

While numerous, often seemingly insurmountable, obstacles hold back progress on many fronts, it would be a grave mistake to relegate STI capacity building the lower orders of priority it has been allocated for many decades past. However, as in many other areas of human endeavour involving a variety of actors with numerous objectives and strategies, positive outcomes will always hinge upon availability of a comprehensive national STI policy. Without such a policy little may be achieved and any gains attained through isolated initiatives are more likely to be sort-lived.

The following paragraphs attempt a concise reading of obstacles facing research activities in Iraq, as conceived by actual practitioners and concerned decision makers followed by a summary of the main conclusions of the present review report which would need to be taken up in further elaborating the status of scientific research in Iraq as well as drawing up a future Roadmap for revitalising Iraq’s capacity in science, technology and innovation.

VI. 2. Overcoming obstacles to research activity in Iraq

Table (VI-1) is derived from table (III-6) above. It is designed to display

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the order of importance assigned by research institutions taking parting the questionnaire survey to various obstacle categories.138 Its first column displays the average order of importance assigned by all responding institutions to the eight obstacle categories addressed in the above-mentioned survey. Entries in subsequent columns provide a view of the order of importance assigned to various obstacles by research centres and units grouped according to research disciplines and end-user applications.

Entries in the first column clearly show that, on average, all responding institutions considered inadequate financial resources a principal hindrance to their operations. It would therefore seem that increasing resource allocations might be a suitable starting point on the path to improved performance in scientific research. Things may not be that simple, however. As indicated on several occasions by experts and decision makers who participated in special meetings dedicated to the subject of this review report, there is also an

138 This, a lower value assigned to an obstacle category indicate a higher level of importance of difficulties encountered by research activity.

urgent need to improve management and planning capabilities of managers and administrative staff in step with increasing financial allocations. Tales of unopened crates of equipment and material abandoned in backyards of research establishments provide, admittedly anecdotal, evidence of the need to improve the abilities of research institutions to spend whatever additional resources they might be allocated.

The above considerations with regard to enhancing financial allocations would necessarily apply to investment spending and may not apply to increasing salaries and benefits to render research careers more attractive to promising young graduates. Nevertheless, here too, increased pay and benefits might be linked to performance, which would necessitate the establishment of new norms and criteria that would, in turn, require further training for management and administration.

In this regard, it is interesting to note that almost all responding institutions assign management policies a low order of importance as a source of hindrance to their operations. This is an understandable bias, considering

Chapter Six

Table (VI-1); Order of importance assigned by groups of responding research institutions to categories of obstacles

All responding institutions

All applied science

institutions

Selected applied sciences

Agricultural science and

allied research

Medicine and healthcare

Energy and environm

ental research

GIS and rem

ote sensing

Social and political science and hum

anities

Budgetary resources 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1

Initial training 2 5 5 4 2 5 5 2

Further training 3 5 4 5 4 6 5 2

Cooperation and coordination 4 2 2 2 5 2 4 3

Critical mass 5 6 4 4 8 8 6 4

Infrastructure 6 4 5 3 3 7 2 5

Access to information 7 3 3 6 7 3 1 6

Management policies 8 7 6 5 6 4 7 7


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that questionnaire forms were perhaps invariably completed by managers of research institutions or staff reporting directly to them. A notable exception to this trend is exhibited by groups of research institutions specialising in energy and environmental research as well as agricultural and allied fields. These two groups assigned a relatively high order of importance to management policies, fourth and fifth, respectively, among eight categories of obstacles. It would certainly be essential to look in some depth at the causes for such an ‘anomaly.’ However, both cases provide exceptions which may be taken as confirming a general trend for allocating management policies a low order of perceived importance as a source of hindrance to research activity. Incidentally, in view of wording used in the relevant part of the questionnaire, the general inclination for assigning management policies the lowest order of importance as an encumbrance to research activity, may not be taken in reference to national or higher-level policies governing research activity.

On average, inadequate initial training is assigned a relatively high order of importance as a source of hindrance. Initial training is underscored as a hindrance particularly by centres and units active in medical and healthcare research as well as social/political sciences and humanities. Next to initial training, further training is assigned third position on average among obstacle categories. The rather large contingent of research institutions active in social/political sciences and humanities rank further training on an equal footing with initial training as an impediment to research activity. On the other hand inadequate training in general, i.e. both initial and ongoing, does not seem to be a source of particular difficulty for groups of institutions active in research in the applied science, agricultural and allied sciences, energy and the environment as well as GIS and remote sensing.

Failures due to poor or inadequate cooperation and coordination modalities

are ranked as relatively important impediments to research activity by the majority of research groups of institution; namely, applied science institutions, agricultural science and allied research, energy and environmental research as well as social and political sciences and humanities.

On the other hand the absence of critical mass seems of limited importance to only two groups of research centres, namely those engaged in research on agricultural and allied sciences, a selected group of applied science institutions.

Infrastructure inadequacies are assigned a somewhat elevated order of importance by research institutions active in agricultural science and allied research, medicine and healthcare, as well as GIS and remote sensing. This ranking should be subjected to further analysis since it seems to be common to groups of institutions in established domains such as agriculture and medicine as well as relatively novel areas of science and technology such as GIS and remote sensing. The fact that the latter group of research institutions assigns poor infrastructure a rather high order of importance as an obstacle does not tally with the fact that institutions in this category were recently established and that as such, they would have been equipped with adequate access to modern equipment and infrastructures. Since infrastructure includes ICT devices and related networks, this score may be due to the fact that this group of research institutions found itself in need of more advanced facilities, including optic fibre links that are not in widespread use in Iraq as yet. Incidentally, the latter group of institutions assigns the highest order of importance to difficulties due to poor access to information. Conceived difficulties due to this group of obstacles are shared

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by research institutions active in the applied sciences as well as in energy and the environment.

The above trends should provide guidelines for further analysis of obstacles with tangible outcomes to materialise in plans for transforming Iraq’s research capabilities.

VI. 3. An agenda for future action

As indicated above, and as attested on numerous occasions by a variety of officials and independent experts, Iraq’s scientific research institutions, function largely in isolation form one another and from likely partners abroad. They are underfunded and their performance generally leaves a good deal to be desired.139 Urgent need for change in many spheres is keenly felt at all decision making levels. However for action to produce lasting impact there is a strong need to nurture a culture that is far more conducive to science, technology and innovation than the present. This is admittedly a long-term undertaking. Nevertheless, to create such a culture as well as address a large number of interim objectives it is imperative that change is guided by a comprehensive national science, technology and innovation policy.

The starting point: formulating a comprehensive STI policy for Iraq

Enhancing capabilities in technology acquisition and development in a variety of end-user sectors and in employing innovative inputs as bases for enterprise operations is an essential objective of national development policies. In order to formulate such policies there is need to undertake in-depth examination of the status of as many priority sectors and enterprise categories as possible. Attaining such ends would also require detailed evaluation of the current

139 This statement is based on discussions held in meetings which included Iraqi experts and decision makers directly concerned with the management and monitoring of scientific research performance in Iraq’s research centres and units.

and future needs of the above sectors and enterprise categories, at home, regionally and worldwide. One of the first steps to take towards a comprehensive national STI policy is to assemble teams of STI policy specialists and practitioners to cooperate with concerned decision makers in formulating policy initiatives targeting specific disciplines and end-user sectors that may then be integrated into a comprehensive policy document.

Long-term future mission: nurturing a culture conducive to science, technology and innovation An often repeated recommendation throughout discussions held during and following preparation of this report concerned the need to create and disseminate a culture that is far more conducive than the present to scientific research, the development and adaptation of technology and adoption of innovative practices throughout Iraq. This, as rightly emphasised, is a collective responsibility, cutting across a wide range of institutions in government, private and public enterprise, nongovernmental entities, including trade federations, labour federations and professional associations. Nevertheless, in order to coordinate efforts by such a wide range of actors, it would be highly desirable for Iraq’s proposed national STI policy to address this issue with suitable goals. It would then be essential for partners in implementing this policy to outline likely modalities and establish partnership, ensuring preferred outcomes and follow-up mechanisms.

Institution building, restructuring and reform with focus on urgent tasks ahead

The need is deeply felt throughout the country for enacting programmes aimed at:- creating novel STI institutions, including technology and research parks, centres of teaching and research excellence as well as incubation schemes for innovative enterprises;- restructuring a variety of existing

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STI institutions, with view to ensuring viable responses to current and future challenges;- reforming legislative and regulatory arrangements with view to establishing stronger links between higher studies and research activity undertaken at the country’s universities and research centres, on the one hand, and end-user production and services sectors, on the other. - implementing special research initiatives designed with focus on tangible benefits, such as enhanced national competitiveness, efficiency of agricultural or industrial production, employment creation, human capital formation. With the above objective in mind, links to centres of research and teaching excellence abroad with priority accorded to advanced postgraduate courses of study and joint research activity will need to be emphasised, while at the same time building capacity for the design and delivery of programmes to continually promote teaching and research excellence at home. Dissemination of novel research methodologies and research ethics are also to be targeted as priorities. Programmes aimed at enhancing skills for research project formulation, supervision, management and evaluation would need to be implemented, with initial emphasis on researcher training and collaborative projects gradually giving way to stable networking arrangements and joint research programmes with partners in the region and overseas whenever objectives and priorities coincide.Adoption of novel STI funding modalities will provide strong support for all of the above. In particular, introduction of competitive funding practices with clear selection criteria and transparent practices ensuring strong links of proposed projects to national development goals should help transform and strengthen national STI capabilities.

The Roadmap

Establishing solid basis for a science, technology and innovation policy in Iraq is one of the main tasks of a future Roadmap for Revitalisation of Science, Technology and Innovation in Iraq. The Roadmap document to be drawn up in the basis of this review report and then finalised in light of subsequent discussions involving a select group of experts and decision makers will include specific proposals and initiatives and aimed at:

- nurturing a national culture that is conducive to science, technology and innovation;

- rationalisation and restructuring of existing higher education and research systems;

- creation of novel institutional forms, including research parks and incubation schemes aimed at encouraging innovation in all walks of national society and economy;

- forging STI alliances and cooperative activities within Iraq and with partners outside;

- creating modern funding institutions to fund

- implementing oversight and monitoring modalities to ensure compatibility of STI activities with national development plans;

The proposed Roadmap will set the scene for a series of special workshops to discuss, select and disseminate novel strategic planning methodologies. In all of the above, intensive coordination and close cooperation among all concerned parties are essential prerequisite for success. Only then would it be possible to count on a better future for a country and a people whose suffering throughout the past decades has exceeded all limits.

121

Review of Scientific Research in IraqStatus and future perspectives

Annexes I and IIQuestionnaire form and tables derived from responses received from

research centres and units


122

Annex (I)

Research and Development in Iraq’s Institutions of Higher Education and Research Centres

Questionnaire

This questionnaire is aimed at obtaining information on the activities of institutions engaged in research and development (R&D) in Iraq. It is presently targeted at a selection of universities, research centres and specialised laboratories active in R&D, with emphasis on priorities linked to sustainable socioeconomic development. Please see table 7 below.

Information provided in completed forms by target institutions will be compiled and analysed with view to drawing up national R&D strategies, including future R&D funding and support modalities at the national level.

Part I. General Information, Human and Financial Resources

A. General Information.

1. Institution’s official name:1

English Arabic

2. Year of establishment: …………………………………………………………………………………… .3. Official Name of the Organization to which the Institution is affiliated:2

……………………………………………………………………………………4. Address and Contact Information.

Table 1. Address and contact information

Postal Address

City

P. O. Box

E-mail address

Website

Phone number 00964 -

5. Name and contact details of authorized focal person.

Table 2. Focal person’s contact details

Name

Official function

Phone numbersLand line 00964 -

Mobile 00964 -

E-mail address

1 The term “Institution” is used here to denote all types of organizations, including research centres, units or service facilities involved in R&D activities. Some of the items included in this questionnaire are also directed at institutions providing support to R&D groups, such as testing, standardisation, calibration and quality control facilities.

2 This field should include the official name of the parent organization, e.g. university, ministry, government organization, regional or international organization or agency.

123

B. Human Resources

1. Number of full-time staff members across academic qualifications, gender and nationality.

Table 3. permanent staff members in 2008 across academic qualifications, gender and nationality.

Permanent Staff in 31/12/2008

Iraqi Non-Iraqi Total

M F M F M F

Ph.D.

Masters Degree

B.Sc. and diploma holders *

Vocational training diploma

Total* For the purposes of the present questionnaire B.Sc. and 3-4 year diploma holders are grouped within the same category.

2. Number and distribution of staff members across fields of specialization, academic qualifications and gender in the natural sciences, engineering and various technology disciplines.

Table 4. Distribution of staff members across fields of specialization in the Natural Sciences, and Engineering and Technology

Fields of SpecializationPh.D. Masters Degree B.Sc. and Diploma

M F M F M F

1. Physical sciences

2. Chemical sciences

3. Biological sciences and biotechnology

4. Earth sciences

5. Information and communications technology

6. Engineering sciences

7. Agricultural sciences*

8. Aquaculture and Marine Sciences

9. Medical and health sciences

10. Environmental sciences

11. Water and waste management technology †

12. Material sciences and technologies

* Including forestry and related sciences and technologies.‡ Including fisheries and related disciplines.† Including water desalination technologies.

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Part II; Research and Development Activity(R&D activities, outcomes and plans)

1. R&D activities undertaken during 2005-2010 and those planned or ongoing in 2011. 3

Table 5. Ongoing and Completed and Planned R&D Projects3

R&D Projects

Com

pleted during 20

05-20

10*

Ongoing in

2011

Planned for 20

12

Basic Research

Pure or fundamental scientific research

Directed basic research

Applied Research

Field studies and research

Other (please specify).

2. Output of R&D projects and related activities undertaken by the Centre/Unit.

Table 6. Output of R&D projects and related activities undertaken by the Institution during the period 2005 - 2010.

No.Domain or Discipline

I Publications

1. Books published during the period 2005-2010

2. Papers published in international refereed journals during the period 2005-2010

3. Papers published in non-refereed journals during the period 2005-2010

II Patents No.Domain or Discipline

Patents registered by the Institution during the period 2005-2010

3. R&D cooperation with national, regional and international organizations/institutions.

Please provide information below on R&D activities undertaken by the Institution in cooperation with, or in implementation of contractual agreements for, other organizations/institutions within or outside Iraq. Kindly indicate the number and percentage of such activities, in relation to the total number of activities undertaken by the Institution and provide a brief description thereof, including information about concerned parties, the type of R&D activity undertaken, and outcomes attained, as indicated below.

3 This table should list the number and cost of R&D projects and activities completed within the five year period 2005-2010. Completed R&D projects and activities should be entered only once against a category that best describes their nature or content.

125

Annexes

Table 7. R&D activities implemented in cooperation with national and international institutions

A. National universities or research centres

Number of projects/activities undertaken Percentage of total

Names of universities and research centres with which R&D cooperation took place- -

Brief outline of projects/activities undertaken and R&D domains covered:

B. Government ministries and other public sector institutions


Names of government ministries and other public sector institutions with which R&D cooperation took place- -

Brief outline of projects/activities undertaken and R&D domains covered:

C. International organizations or agencies*


Names of regional and international organizations or agencies with which R&D cooperation took place- -

Brief outline of projects undertaken including principal outcomes/achievements:

* Please include cooperative activities undertaken in liaison with universities and other relevant institutions in the region, i.e. with neighbouring countries and regional organizations.

Part III. Resources and Expenditure

1. Please complete the following table with information on financial resources made available to the Institution during 2010.

Table 8. Financial resources available during 2010

Source of Finance Value in USD (thousands)

1. Government funds

2. Funding by national donors *

3. Contributions made through overseas programmes

5. International donations, grants or loans ‡

Other sources of finance (indicate below)

Total

* Donations by individuals and enterprises.‡ Please include grants and loans made available through pan-Arab or other regional donors or lenders.


126

2. Please complete table (9) with information on financial expenditures made by the Institution during the past academic year.

Table 9. Salaries, wages, fees and capital expenditures.

Expenditure Items Value in USD (thousands)

1. Salaries, wages

2. Consultancy fees

3. Operational expenses*

4. Capital Investment (fixed assets) †

5. Capital Investment (non-fixed assets) ‡

Total* Includes spare parts, maintenance and purchase of consumables.† Includes land, buildings and construction. ‡ Includes purchase and rental of equipment, machinery, instrumentation etc..

3. Please provide a brief description of the sort of information and communications technology facilities available for the Institutions activities, emphasizing links to the Internet as well as intranets available to research and support staff.

Table 10. Information and Communications Technology Facilities.

Expenditure Items

1. Total number of PCs and Laptops

2. Ratio of PCs/Laptops to research staff

3. Bandwidth available for linking to the Internet

4. Availability of Intranet networking

5. Average annual expenditure allocated to ICT facilities over the period 2005-2010 ‡

* Includes spare parts, maintenance and purchase of consumables.† Includes land, buildings and construction. ‡ Allocations in USD (thousands).

4. Are available ICT facilities judged adequate for present purposes? Please tick as appropriate, then kindly qualify your response in the space provided below.

Yes No

127

Part IV; Obstacles to R&D Activity and Suggestions for Improvement

1. Obstacles encountered in the design, planning and implementation of R&D projects/activities and exploitation of their outcomes

Using ranking key given below, please rate obstacles encountered in the design, planning and implementation of R&D projects/activities and exploitation of subsequent outcomes against each type of obstacle/problem.

High 5 Considerable 4 Medium 3 Low 2 Not an obstacle 1

Table 11. Obstacles encountered in the design, planning and implementation of R&D projects/activities and exploitation of their outcomes

Obstacle Rank

I. Management policies often result in:

I.1 poorly defined priorities

I.2 uneven distribution of human resources

I.3 uneven distribution of financial resources

I.4 insufficient incentives

I.5 inefficient dissemination of information

I.6 Too much time taken up by administrative tasks

II. Inadequate number of:

II.1 specialists in crucial areas

II.2 Technicians

II.3 university graduates

II.4 higher level staff

II.5 support and administrative staff

III. Inadequate training for researchers

IV. Inadequate initial training for support staff

V. Consistently inadequate financial resources for

V.1 The entire Centre/Unit

V.2 selected projects/disciplines within the Centre/Unit

VI. Inadequate access to information through:

VI.1 conventional means, e.g. periodicals, reference material, etc.

VI.2 Databases and other ICT based resources on the web

VII. Shortages in:

VII.1 Physical infrastructure

VII.2 Crucial laboratory equipment items

VII.3 ICT facilities (e.g. PCs, laptops, limited access to the web, …)

VIII. Inadequate coordination and cooperation with

VIII.1 other R&D Centres/Units and national universities/institutes of higher education

VIII.2 relevant international organizations

IX. Others obstacles/difficulties (please specify below)

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128

2. Please use the space provided below to outline ideas that might enhance the quality, outcome and utility of R&D activities already implemented.

129

Annex (II)List of tables

page

A. Research centres and units, their affiliations and years of establishment

A1 Research Centres and Institutions at selected universities in Iraq 131

A2Research centres that responded with information on their activities, resources and other issues raised in the questionnaire

132

B. Human Resources in Research

B1 Human resource profiles reported by all responding institution. 133

B2Total number of employees, researchers and staff members with qualifications higher than the BSc degree at responding Iraqi institutions active in applied scientific research

134

B3Total number of employees, researchers and staff members with qualifications higher than the BSc degree at responding Iraqi institutions active in medical and healthcare research

134

B4Total number of employees, researchers and staff members with qualifications higher than the BSc degree at responding Iraqi institutions active in applied scientific research

135

B5Total number of employees, researchers and staff members with qualifications higher than the BSc degree at responding Iraqi institutions active in research targeting local and regional development

135

C. Financial Resources: allocations and expenditure

C1 Budgetary allocations made to, and expenditures by, research institutions 136

C2 Annual budgetary allocations to institutions active in medical and life sciences research 137

C3 Annual budgetary allocations to institutions active in applied sciences research 137

C4 Annual budgetary allocations to institutions active in social sciences and humanities research 137

C5 Annual budgetary allocations to institutions active in energy and environmental research 137

D. Research Outcomes; books, papers, patents and prizes

D1Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in the energy sector over the years 2005-2010

138

D2Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in agriculture and allied areas over the years 2005-2010

138

D3Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in biotechnology over the years 2005-2010

138

D4Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in fields related to the environment over the years 2005-2010

138

D5Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of applied science over the years 2005-2010

138

D6Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of GIS and remote sensing over the years 2005-2010

139

D7Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of medicine and healthcare over the years 2005-2010

139

D8Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of local and regional development over the years 2005-2010

139

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130

D9Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of economics and humanities over the years 2005-2010

140

E. Research Cooperation with Domestic and International Partners

E1 Research activities implemented in cooperation with national universities 141

E2 Research activities implemented in cooperation with Iraqi government ministries and departments 142

E3 Research activities implemented in cooperation with international partners 143

E4Outline of cooperation activities undertaken by Iraqi research institutions with national universities, ministries and government departments, international organisations and overseas universities

144

F. Obstacles Facing Research Activities

F1 Average scores awarded by responding institutions over all obstacle categories 145

F2 Averages of scores allocated to obstacle categories by 46 research centres 146

F3 Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by applied science research institutions 147

F4 Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by selected applied science research institutions 147

F5 Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by energy and environment research institutions 148

F6 Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by agricultural research institutions 148

F7 Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by GIS and remote sensing research institutions 148

F8 Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by medical research institutions 148

F9Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by selected social science and humanities research institutions

149

G. Information and Communications Technology Equipment and Infrastructures

G1Information and communications technology facilities and related resources possessed by responding research institutions

150

G2Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in Iraqi social science and humanities research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey

151

G3Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in GIS and remote sensing institutions responding to the questionnaire survey

151

G4Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in selected applied sciences research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey

151

G5Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in energy and environment research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey

152

G6Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in agricultural research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey

152

G7Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in the medical and life sciences research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey

152

131

Annex (II)

A-Research centres and units, their affiliations and years of establishment 4

Table (Annex II-A1); Research Centres and Institutions at selected universities in Iraq

University of Research Centre/Unit, Institute

Al Anbar Desert Studies Unit (College of Agriculture)

Al NahrainInternational Law Studies Centre

Biotechnology

BabylonEnvironment Protection Centre

Psychological Research Centre

Baghdad

Embryology Research Centre

Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute

Postgraduate Institute for Urban and Regional Planning

Postgraduate Institute for Laser Studies

Basra

Marine Science Centre

Date Palm Research Centre4

Polymer Research Centre

Persian Studies

Gulf Studies

Mosul

Agriculture Research Centre

Economics Research Centre

Environment Research Centre

Remote Sensing Centre

Mosul Studies Research Centre

Turkish Studies Research Centre

Dams and Water Resource Research Centre

Computer Engineering Centre

Al Mustansiriya

National Diabetes Centre

National Haematology Centre

Higher Institute for Political and International Studies

Arab Homeland Centre

Institute for Teaching Arabic to Foreigners

MoHESRCommission for Computers and Informatics (ICCI)

Informatics Institute for Postgraduate Studies

Source: “Iraq Education in Transition: Needs and Challenges;” Published by UNESCO, Paris in , 2004.

4 Iraq has a fairly long history as one of the main exporters of dates in the region. Around 120 varieties are reportedly being cultivated. Thus, research on date palm agriculture is considered a priority.

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132

Table (Annex II-A2); Research centres that responded with information on their activities, resources and other issues raised in the questionnaire.

Centre of Revival of Arabian Science Heritage Baghdad University 1977

Marine Science Centre Basra University 1980

Marine Science Centre Basra University 1980

Regional Studies Centre Mosul University 1985

Remote Sensing Centre Mosul University 1985

Dams and Water Resources Research Centre Mosul University 1986

Medical Research Unit Al Nahrain University 1989

Mosul Studies Centre Mosul University 1992

Kufa Studies Centre University of Kufa 1992

Date Palm Research Unit Baghdad University 1995

Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research Al Mustansiriyah University 1995

Polymer Research Centre Basra University 1995

Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Researches … 1995

Applied Sciences Research Unit University of Technology 1996

Hemoglobinopathy Unit Basra university 1996

Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre Mosul University 1997

Market Research and Consumer Protection Centre Baghdad University 1997

National Diabetes Centre Al Mustansiriyah University 1997

Unit of researches and Medical Appliances Replacements College of Health and Medical Technology 1997

Medical Appliances and Replacements Research Unit … 1997

Corn Research Unit Ministry of Higher Education 1998

Biotechnology Research Centre[2] Al Nahrain University 1999

Remote Sensing Unit Baghdad University 1999

Biological unit for Tropical Diseases[3] Baghdad University 2001

Salahuddin Alayubi Centre for Historical and Cultural Studies Tikrit University 2002

Research Unit for Die Desgin and Manufacture University of Technology 2002

Energy and Fuel Research Centre University of Technology 2004

Environmental Research Centre University of Technology 2004

Marshes Research Centre Thi-Qar University 2004

Dohuk Research Centre University of Dohuk 2004

Childhood and Motherhood Research Centre Diyala University 2005

Quality Research Unit Foundation of Technical Education 2005

Zoonotic Diseases Researches Unit Al Qadisiya University 2005

Environmental Research Unit Kirkuk University 2005

Clinical Zoonotic Diseases Research Unit Baghdad University 2006

Economic Research Unit Baghdad University 2006

Environmental Pollution Research Unit Basra Technical Institute 2007

Spatial Research Unit University of Diyala 2007

General Directorat of Research Centre University of Salahuddine 2007

Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit Technical College-Najaf 2010

Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit Baghdad University 2010

Renewable Energies Research Unit Commission of Technical Education 2010

Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Unit Thi-Qar University 2011

Research and rehabilitation information centre … 2011

Al Mostansiriyah Centre for Arab and International Studies Al Mustansiriyah University N/A

Cell and biotechnology research unit Basra University N/A

Educational Unit for Peace Studies Educational College, Baghdad N/A

Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre University of Technology N/A

133

Annex (II)B. Human Resources in Research

5 6 7 8

Table (Annex II-B1); Human resource profiles reported by all responding institution.

Research institutionTotal Staff

(M)Total Staff

(F)Researchers

(M)Researchers

(F)B.Sc &

above (M)B.Sc &

above (F)

1Al Mostansiriyah Centre for Arab and International Studies

23 25 21 17 22 22

2 Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit 8 - 3 - 6 -

3 Applied Sciences Research Unit 3 3 - - 2 2

4 Biological unit for Tropical Diseases5 5 12 4 7 5 12

5 Biomathematics Unit 6 8 2 3 3 4

6 Biotechnology Research Centre6 48 41 26 17 43 34

7 Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit 2 9 1 3 2 7

8 Cell and biotechnology research unit 4 5 3 5 3 6

9 Centre of Revival of Arabian Science Heritage 32 52 14 24 21 37

10 Childhood and Motherhood Research Centre 9 7 5 5 7 7

11 Clinical Zoonotic Diseases Research Unit 1 1 1 - 1 1

12 Corn Research Unit 3 - 3 - 3 -

13 Dams and Water Resources Research Centre 29 11 20 3 25 6

14 Date Palm Research Unit 2 3 1 2 - 17

15 Dohuk Research Centre 5 9 5 1 5 1

16 Economic Research Unit 2 4 2 3 2 3

17 Educational Unit for Peace Studies 1 3 - - 1 3

18 Energy and Fuel Research Centre 23 4 17 2 20 3

19 Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre 8 12 5 4 6 9

20 Environmental Pollution Research Unit 5 2 5 1 5 1

21 Environmental Research Centre 13 12 9 2 12 10

22 Environmental Research Unit (Kirkuk U.) 2 - 1 1

23 General Directorate of Research Centre (SUH) 8 4 - - 6 2

24Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Unit

- 7 - - - 6

25 Hemoglobinopathy Unit 2 6 2 2 2 5

26 Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 42 41 11 11 19 32

27 Kufa Studies Centre 49 9 13 - 23 2

28 Marine Science Centre 202 142 88 33 153 101

29 Market Research and Consumer Protection Centre 30 21 14 98 22 14

30 Marshes Research Centre 36 17 - - 21 13

31 Medical Research Unit 6 15 3 7 3 12

32 Medical Appliances and Replacements Research Unit 3 5 3 4 3 5

33 Medical Research Unit (Al Nahrain College of Medicine) 6 15 3 7 3 12

34 Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Researches 2 6 2 3 2 4

35 Mosul Studies Centre 10 15 7 7 9 12

36Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre

9 4 - - - -

37 National Diabetes Centre 20 38 7 6 4 24

38 Polymer Research Centre 26 7 15 3 24 3

39 Quality Research Unit 2 1 2

40 Regional Studies Centre 22 13 19 6 22 7

41 Remote Sensing Centre (Mosul U.) 29 11 20 3 24 10

42 Remote Sensing Unit (Baghdad U.) 7 4 7 3 7 3

43 Renewable Energies Research Unit 9 - 6 - 8 -

44 Research and rehabilitation information centre - - - - - -

5 Apparent problems detected in tables 5 and 6. 6 Disparity is apparent in tables 4 and 6 regarding number of total staff members.7 Need to check this entry as the table refers to permanent staff while the number of staff with qualifications above the B.

Sc. degree would be expected to exceed just one female staff member. The difference may be due to higher degree students not counted as permanent staff?

8 Including one non-Iraqi researcher.

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134

45 Research Unit for Die Desgin and Manufacture 5 - 2 - 5 -

44Salahuddin Alayubi Centre for Historical &Cultural Studies

29 4 20 4 19 4

45 Spatial Research Unit 2 5 1 3 1 5

46Unit of researches and Medical Appliances Replacements

3 5 3 4 3 5

47 Zoonotic Diseases Researches Unit 6 4 - - 6 4

Table (Annex II-B2); Total number of employees, researchers and staff members with qualifications higher than the BSc degree at responding Iraqi institutions active in applied scientific research

Total Staff (M)

Total Staff (F)

Researchers (M)

Researchers (F)

B. Sc. And above (M)

B. Sc. And above (F)

Date Palm Research Unit 2 3 1 2 - 19

Corn Research Unit 3 - 3 - 3 -

Quality Research Unit 2 - 1 2

Cell and biotechnology research unit 4 5 3 5 3 6

Biotechnology Research Centre10 48 41 26 17 43 34

Renewable Energies Research Unit 9 - 6 - 8 -

Energy and Fuel Research Centre 23 4 17 2 20 3

Applied Sciences Research Unit 3 3 - - 2 2

Polymer Research Centre 26 7 15 3 24 3

Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit 8 - 3 - 6 -

Environmental Research Centre 13 12 9 2 12 10

Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre 8 12 5 4 6 9

Environmental Pollution Research Unit 5 2 5 1 5 1

Marshes Research Centre 36 17 - - 21 13

Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Unit - 7 - - - 6

Dams and Water Resources Research Centre 29 11 20 3 25 6

Remote Sensing Centre 29 11 20 3 24 10

Remote Sensing Unit 7 4 7 3 7 3

9 10 11

Table (Annex II-B3); Total number of employees, researchers and staff members with qualifications higher than the BSc degree at responding Iraqi institutions active in medical and healthcare research

Total Staff (M)

Total Staff (F)

Researchers (M)

Researchers (F)



Unit of researches and Medical Appliances Replacements 3 5 3 4 3 5

Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 42 41 11 11 19 32

Hemoglobinopathy Unit 2 6 2 2 2 5

National Diabetes Centre 20 38 7 6 4 24

Childhood and Motherhood Research Centre 9 7 5 5 7 7

Clinical Zoonotic Diseases Research Unit 1 1 1 - 1 1

Zoonotic Diseases Researches Unit 6 4 - - 6 4

Medical Research Unit 6 15 3 7 3 12

Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit 2 9 1 3 2 7

Biological unit for Tropical Diseases11 5 12 4 7 5 12

9 Need to check this entry as the table refers to permanent staff while the number of staff with qualifications above the B. Sc. degree would be expected to exceed just one female staff member. The difference may be due to higher degree students not counted as permanent staff?

10 Disparity is apparent in tables 4 and 6 regarding number of total staff members.11 Apparent problems detected in tables 5 and 6.

135

Table (Annex II-B4); Total number of employees, researchers and staff members with qualifications higher than the BSc degree at responding Iraqi institutions active in applied scientific research

Total Staff (M)

Total Staff (F)

Researchers (M)

Researchers (F)



Market Research and Consumer Protection Centre 30 21 14 912 22 14

Mosul Studies Centre 10 15 7 7 9 12

Al Mostansiriyah Centre for Arab and International Studies 23 25 21 17 22 22

Educational Unit for Peace Studies 1 3 - - 1 3

Salahuddin Alayubi Centre for Historical and Cultural Studies 29 4 20 4 19 4

Economic Research Unit 2 4 2 3 2 3

Centre of Revival of Arabian Science Heritage 32 52 14 24 21 3712

Table (Annex II-B5); Total number of employees, researchers and staff members with qualifications higher than the BSc degree at responding Iraqi institutions active in research targeting local and regional development

Local and Regional Development CentresTotal

Staff (M)Total

Staff (F)Researchers

(M)Researchers

(F)B. Sc. And above (M)


Regional Studies Centre 22 13 19 6 22 7

Spatial Research Unit 2 5 1 3 1 5

Centre of Revival of Arabian Science Heritage 32 52 14 24 21 37

12 Including one non-Iraqi researcher.

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136

Annex (II)C. Financial Resources: allocations and expenditure 13

Table (Annex II-C1); Budgetary allocations made to, and expenditures by, research institutions13 Institutions Allocations Expenditures

1 Al Mostansiriyah Centre for Arab and International Studies 269,100 -

2 Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit - -

3 Biological unit for Tropical Diseases - -

4 Biomathematics Unit - -

5 Biotechnology Research Centre - -

6 Breast & Cervical Cancer Research Unit 150,000 45,000

7 Cell and Biotechnology Research Unit (Basra University) 17,000 -

8 Centre for Revival of Arabian Science Heritage - -

9 Centre For International Studies - -

10 Childhood and Motherhood Research Centre - -

11 Clinical zoonotic diseases research unit 24,000 -

12 Corn Research Unit - -

13 Dams and water resources research centre - ?

14 Date Palm Research Unit 20,000 -

15 Dohuk Research Centre - -

16 Economic Research Unit (Baghdad University) - -

17 Energy and fuel research centre 24,000 -

18 Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre – Mosul U. 289,000 295,250

19 Environmental Pollution Research Unit - -

20 Environmental Research Centre 410,000 -

21 Environmental Research Unit/College of Science/Kirkuk Univ. - -

22 General Directorate of Research Centre / University of Salahaddin - -

23 12Hemoglobinopathy Unit - -

24 Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 400,000 -

25 Kufa Studies Centre 346,000 -

26 Marine Science Centre 6,134,145 8,348,866

27 Market Research and Consumer Protection Centre 14,200 -

28 Marshes Research Centre - -

29 Medical Appliances and Replacements Research Unit 0 0

30 Medical research unit/ Al-Nahrain College of Medicine 4,000 -

31 Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Researches 150,000 150,000

32 Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Researches - -

33 Mosul Studies Centre 36,250 -

34 Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre -

35 National Diabetes Centre 123,000 -

36 Polymer Research Centre 96,000 -

37 Polymer Research Unit - -

38 Quality Research Unit - -

39 Regional Studies Centre 12,000 -

40 Remote Sensing Centre, Mosul University 4,166,000 257,530

41 Remote Sensing Centre, Mosul University - -

42 Remote Sensing Unit (Baghdad University) 58,000 -

43 Renewable Energies Research Unit - -

44 Research and rehabilitation information centre - -

45 Research Unit for Die Design and Manufacture 50,000 50,000

46 Research Unit for Die Design and Manufacture - -

47 Salahuddin Al Ayubi Centre for Historical and Cultural Studies 9,000 -

48 13Spatial Studies Centre - -

49 Unit of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing - 28,000

13 From tables (8) and (9) in the questionnaire form.

137

Table (Annex II-C2); Annual budgetary allocations to institutions active in medical and life sciences research

1 Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit 150,000

2 Cell and Biotechnology Research Unit (Basra University) 17,000

3 Clinical zoonotic diseases research unit 24,000

4 National Diabetes Centre 123,000

5 Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 400,000

6 Medical research unit/ Al Nahrain College of Medicine 4,000

7 Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Researches 150,000

Total (Medical and life sciences) 868,000

Table (Annex II-C3); Annual budgetary allocations to institutions active in applied sciences research

1 Remote Sensing Centre, Mosul University 4,166,000

2 Remote Sensing Unit (Baghdad University) 58,000

3 Research Unit for Die Design and Manufacture 50,000

4 Date Palm Research Unit 20,000

5 Polymer Research Centre 96,000

Total 4,390,000

Table (Annex II-C4); Annual budgetary allocations to institutions active in social sciences and humanities research

1 Al Mostansiriyah Centre for Arab and International Studies 269,100

2 Salahuddin Alayubi Centre for Historical and Cultural Studies 9,000

3 Regional Studies Centre 12,000

4 Mosul Studies Centre 36,250

5 Kufa Studies Centre 346,000

6 Market Research and Consumer Protection Centre 14,200

Total (Social sciences and humanities) 686,550

Table (Annex II-C5); Annual budgetary allocations to institutions active in energy and environmental research

1 Energy and fuel research centre 24,000

2 Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre – Mosul U. 289,000

3 Environmental Research Centre 410,000

4 Marine Science Centre 6,134,145

Total (Energy and environment) 6,857,145

Annexes


138

Annex (II)D. Research Outcomes; books, papers, patents and prizes

Table (Annex II-D1); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in the energy sector over the years 2005-2010


PrizesBooks Papers I

Papers II

Renewable Energies Research Unit - - - -

Energy and Fuel Research Centre - 6 67 -

Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit - 1 - -

Totals - 7 67 -

Table (Annex II-D2); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in agriculture and allied areas over the years 2005-2010



Papers II

Date Palm Research Unit - 15 6 -

Corn Research Unit - 6 - -

Marshes Research Centre - - - -

Dams and water resources research centre - 109 - -

Totals - 130 6

Table (Annex II-D3); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in biotechnology over the years 2005-2010



Papers II

Cell and biotechnology research unit - 3 11 -

Biotechnology Research Centre14 - - - -

Biomathematics Unit - - - -

Totals - 3 11 -14 15

Table (Annex II-D4); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in fields related to the environment over the years 2005-2010



Papers II

Environmental Research Centre - 10 43 -

Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre 1 10 30 -

Environmental Pollution Research Unit - 6 6 -

Environmental Research Unit (Kirkuk) 115 - - -

Marine Sciences Centre - 50 10 -

Total 2 76 89 -16

Table (Annex II-D5); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of applied science over the years 2005-2010



Papers II

Quality Research Unit - 5 - -

Research Unit for Die Design and Manufacture - 8 - 1

Polymer Research Centre - 5 21 1

Research and rehabilitation information centre - - - -

Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre16 2 13 88 -

Applied Sciences Research Unit - 4 20 -

14 Claim for 6 patents registered during 2005-2010.15 Questionnaire form refers to the publication of a journal.16 Questionnaire form refers to one patents registered during 2005-2010.

139

Dohuk Research Centre17 - 17 30 `

General Directorate of Research Centre - - - -

Totals 2 52 159 2

Table (Annex II-D6); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of GIS and remote sensing over the years 2005-2010



Papers II

Remote Sensing Centre 2 11 57 -

Remote Sensing Unit - 15 100 -18

Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Unit 1 - 5 -

Totals 3 26 162 -17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Table (Annex II-D7); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of medicine and healthcare over the years 2005-2010



Papers II

Unit of researches and Medical Appliances Replacements 1 - - 8

Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research19 3 63 - 7

Hemoglobinopathy Unit - 4 - -

National Diabetes Centre - - 20 -

Childhood and Motherhood Research Centre 89 - 59 -

Clinical Zoonotic Diseases Research Unit - - 1 -

Zoonotic Diseases Researches Unit - 2 - -

Medical Research Unit (Al Nahrain)20 - 5 30 -

Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit - 2 1 -

Biological unit for Tropical Diseases21 - - 5 -

Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Research - 7 3 -

Breast & Cervical Cancer Research Unit - 1 2 3

Totals 93 84 121 18

Table (Annex II-D8); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of local and regional development over the years 2005-2010



Papers II

Regional Studies Centre22 32 11 - 10

Spatial Research Unit23 3 - 10 -

Centre of Revival of Arabian Science Heritage - - - -

Kufa Studies Centre 3 - 206 -

38 11 216 10

17 Questionnaire form refers to one patents registered during 2005-2010.18 Questionnaire form refers to fellowships and audit reports instead of actual prizes.19 Claim made by this Centre for six patents.20 Two questionnaires appear to have been received from this centre with different figures for output 6 refereed and 12 un-refereed articles

in one and 5 refereed and 30 un-refereed articles in another. The higher figures were entered here.21 Apparent problems detected in tables 5 and 6.22 Claim made by this Centre for 443 registered patents.23 Claim made by this Centre for three registered patents.

Annexes


140

Table (Annex II-D9); Published books and papers as well as prizes awarded to responding research institutions in selected areas of economics and humanities over the years 2005-2010



Papers II

Market Research and Consumer Protection Centre 64 77 - 2

Mosul Studies Centre 17 - 50 1

Al Mostansiriyah Centre for Arab and International Studies24 70 - - -

Educational Unit for Peace Studies - - - -

Salahuddin Alayubi Centre for Historical and Cultural Studies - - - -

Economic Research Unit - 14 13 -

Centre For International Studies 75 133 54 -

Totals 226 224 117 3

24

24 Claim made by this Centre for 497 registered patents.

141

Annex (II)E.Research Cooperation with Domestic and International Partners

Table (Annex II-E1); Research activities implemented in cooperation with national universitiesNo. of

projectsPercentage of total Iraqi universities Comments


5 -Thee Qar universityMeesan university -

Date Palm Research Unit - - - -

Corn Research Unit - - - -

Quality Research Unit - - - -


- -

-Baghdad University-Al-Razi for Biological Kits, Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics,Centre for Embriological Researches and infertility tratment

-

Renewable Energies Research Unit

- - - -


- - - -

Biomathematics Unit 1 5 -

Centre For International Studies

- - - -

Environmental research unit (Kirkuk Univ.)

- - - -

Marshes Research Centre - - - -


- -Universities of Kufa, Basrh, Kerbala, Baghdad, AL-Nahrain, AL-Mustasiriya and Technology.

Brief outline of projects / activities undertaken and R&D domains covered: See appendix(1)We intend to solve the problems of the students of high studies as well as finish their researches in the specific time during a number of training courses which are arranged at our centre.

Polymer Research Unit - - - -


- -All Universities across all Iraqi provinces.

Focal representatives in medical colleges belonging to Iraqi Province Universities. Specifically with Kufa Erbil and Basra Universities.


2 25 Alanbar Technical Institute -


- - Hawler Medical Univ. -

Dohuk Research Centre - -

Erbil Medical Research Centre/Erbil UniversityMinistry of Agriculture/Kurdistan Region /Iraq/Erbil

Feb 2007 Technical workshop ‘Molecular Diagnostic toolsJan 2009 National Technical workshop /Iraq/Erbil. Education


- - - -

Dams and water resources research Centre

- - - -

Research and rehabilitation information Centre

- - - -

Kufa studies Centre - - - -

Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Researches

- - - -

Annexes


142

Table (Annex II-E2); Research activities implemented in cooperation with Iraqi government ministries and departments

No. of projects

Percentage of total

Other domestic partners Comments


- - - -

Date Palm Research Unit-

30State Board of Date Palm, Ministry of Agriculture.

Comparative studies of field performance in date palm in vitro and in vivo plants (ongoing)Effect of some plant growth regulators on enhance salinity tolerance in date palm south of Iraq (ongoing)




- -

-ministry of Technology and Sciences -Ministry of Health-Ministry of Environment- ministry of Agriculture

-


- - - -


3 3Ministry of Technological ScienceMinistry of Agriculture

-



Not sure

-

- Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research- Ministry of Foreign affairs, Ministry of Defence

-


- - - -

Marshes Research Centre 1 0.5 Marshes Restoration Centre -


Ministry of health e.g., diseases detection.Ministry of Environmental e.g., water contaminants detection.Ministry of Higher education and scientific research e.g., scientific research in genetic engineering.Communications e.g., remote sensing of airborne viruses and bacteria

-

Polymer Research Unit 4 80Ministry of industry and mineralScientific Research Foundation- Petrochemical research centre

-


- -

Ministry of HealthMinistry of EnvironmentMinistry of Science & TechnologyMinistry of Social Affairs

-


- - - -


- -Ministries of Health and Municipalities General Directory Of Museum

-

Dohuk Research Centre -

Central veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of higher Education Kurdistan Regional Government, Erbil, Iraq

-


2 100Nineveh investment commission,Nineveh Geology organization.

-


- - - -


- - - -



- - - -

143

Table (Annex II-E3); Research activities implemented in cooperation with international partnersNo. of

projectsPercentage

of totalIntl. partners Comments


1 -Heriot watt university, UKPavia university, Italy

Multilocus sequence typing of stapheylococus aureus isolates identified by 16s rRNA gene sequencingTraining course in cell culture.

Date Palm Research Unit - 40The International Centre for Agricultural research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria

Molecular characterization of Iraqi date palm cultivars using DNA molecular markers In this project over 100 date palm cultivars has been characterized from 2009-2010 Establishment of new date palm gene bank of Iraqi date palm cultivars this project over 120 date palm cultivars DNA stock has been isolated and stored under freezing in 2010Developing over 1000 microsatellite markers (SSR) across date palm genome (published)




- - - -


0 0 - -


- - - -



Not sure -

Centre for Arab Unity Studies, Emirates Centre For Studies and Strategic Research.Amman centre For Human Rights, Centre of Iraq For studies.Centre For Human Rights, Bait Al Hikma, Centre of Iraq For Studies.

-


- - - -

Marshes Research Centre

3 1 Suggest (?) UNDPA Survey on Demographical , Economical and Social conditions of People of Iraqi Marshes.


- - - -

Polymer Research Unit 1 20The Arab Science and Technology Foundation/ Dubai

Removal of Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution using agricultural wastes. The project is completed and I plan to publish 3 papers in refereed journals.


King Hussain Cancer Centre/JordanLebanese Cancer Society / LebanonNational Cancer Institute / Egypt

Comparative studies on the behaviour of breast cancer in patients inhabiting selected countries in the Middle East (Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan & Egypt); including demographic characteristics, clinic-pathological presentation & treatment outcomes.


- - - -


ICARDASCRI Rosemasterd ( ?) Research Centre

Ongoing Plan will be undertaken.

Dohuk Research Centre - -

Borstel Research Centre-Germany .Pendik veterinary control Research Centre, Turkey. Lanzhou Veterinary Res. Centre, China

-


- - - -


- - - -


- - - -



- - - -

Annexes


144

Table (Annex II-E4); Outline of cooperation activities undertaken by Iraqi research institutions with national universities, ministries and government departments, international organisations and overseas universities

National universitiesMinistries and

government departments

International organisations and

overseas universities

Cell and Biotechnology Research Unit Yes - Yes

Date Palm Research Unit - Yes Yes

Biotechnology Research Centre Yes - -

Biological unit for Tropical Diseases - Yes -

Biomathematics Unit Yes - -

Centre For International Studies - Yes Yes

Marshes Research Centre - Yes -

Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre Yes - -

Polymer Research Unit - Yes Yes

Breast & Cervical Cancer Research Unit Yes Yes Yes

Research Unit for Die Design and Manufacture Yes Yes -

General Directorate of Research Centre (SUH) Yes Yes Yes

Dohuk Research Centre Yes - Yes

Remote Sensing Centre, Mosul University - Yes -

Dams and water resources research Centre - Yes -

Research and rehabilitation information Centre - Yes -

145

Annexes

Annex (II)F. Obstacles Facing Research Activities

Table (Annex II-F1); Average scores awarded by responding institutions over all obstacle categories.

I. Managem

ent policies

II. Critical m

ass

III. Initial training

IV. F

urth

er training

V. B

udgetary resou

rce

VI. A

ccess to inform

ation

VII.

Infrastructu

re

VIII. C

ooperation &

Coordination

1Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit 4.5 4.8 5 5 5 5 5 5

2 Applied Sciences Research Unit 3.5 4.8 5 5 4.5 2.5 3.7 43 Biological unit for Tropical Diseases 3.5 3 2 2 1.5 1.5 2 1.54 Biomathematics Unit 2 3 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.3 15 Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit 2.7 2.6 2.3 3.3 2.5 1.5 2 16 Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 3.8 4.4 4.3 5 5 4.5 4.3 57 Cell and biotechnology research unit 4.2 3.2 4.3 4 4 4.5 5 4.78 Centre for Arab & International Studies 3.3 2.4 3.7 3.7 4.5 4 3.7 29 Centre For International Studies 2.2 2.8 2.3 2.3 2.5 2 2.3 2

10Centre of Revival of Arabian Science Heritage 3.3 3 3 3.7 3 3 4.3 3

11 Clinical Zoonotic Diseases Res. Unit 2.8 2.2 5 4 5 4 4.7 4.512 Corn Research Unit 1 3 1 1 4 1 1 1.313 Dams and Water Resources Research Centre 3.3 3.4 4 3.3 3.5 4 3.3 414 Date Palm Research Unit 3.7 2.8 4.3 4 4 4.5 5 4.715 Dohuk Research Centre 3.7 3 2 2 3 5 3.3 4.516 Economic Research Unit 4 4.4 5 3.7 5 3 3.3 417 Educational Unit for Peace Studies 3 4.4 5 5 5 4.5 5 3.518 Energy and Fuel Research Centre 3 3 2.7 3 3 3.5 2.7 4

19Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre 3.2 3.6 5 5 4.5 3.5 3 5

20 Environmental Pollution Research Unit 2.8 2.4 1.7 1 1 1.5 1.3 221 Environmental Research Centre 3.8 2.2 2.3 3 4 4 3 422 Environmental Research Unit (Kirkuk Univ.) 5 4.8 5 5 4 4 4 4

23General Directorate of Research Centre (SUH) 1.3 4.6 5 5 4.5 5 4.7 4.5

24 GIS and Remote Sensing Unit 2.2 3.4 3 3 5 5 5 425 Hemo-globino-pathy Unit 4.2 3.2 4.3 4 4 4.5 5 3.526 Kufa Studies Centre 3.3 4 4 3.3 3.5 2 3 4.527 Marine Science Centre 2.8 2.8 3 3 4.5 1 3.3 328 Market Research Centre 4.2 3.6 3.3 3.3 4 3 3 3.529 Marshes Research Centre 3.7 3.2 3 3 4 2 4 4

30Medical Appliances & Re-placements Research Unit 2.5 2.2 2.7 2.7 3 3 3 3

31 Medical Research Unit 4 4.2 4.7 4 5 4 3.7 4.532 Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Research 3.7 2.4 2.7 1.7 5 3.5 3 4.533 Mosul Studies Centre 1.8 4.4 3 3 1 2.5 2.7 3

34Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Res. Centre 3.2 3.2 3.7 3.7 5 3.5 3.3 4.5

35 National Diabetes Centre 2 1 3 3 3 1 3 336 Polymer Research Centre 4.3 4 2.7 4 4 4 5 4.537 Polymer Research Unit 1 2.6 2.7 2.7 3 4 3.7 438 Quality Research Unit 4.5 4.8 4 4 5 3 2 539 Regional Studies Centre 1.5 3 1 1 2.5 3 3.3 3.540 Remote Sensing Centre, Mosul University 1.8 1.2 3.3 3.3 3 5 3.7 441 Remote Sensing Unit 2.7 3.6 5 5 5 5 5 4.542 Renewable Energies Research Unit 1.8 1 2.3 2.3 5 2 4 443 Research Unit for Die Design & Man. 2.7 2.6 2.3 2.3 2.5 1.5 2 144 Salahuddin Alayubi Centre 2.8 2.6 4.7 4.7 5 5 4.7 545 Spatial Research Unit 4.2 3.8 4.7 5 5 2 1.3 4.546 Zoonotic Diseases Res. Unit 2 3 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.3 1


146

Table (Annex II-F2); Averages of scores allocated to obstacle categories by 46 research centres

Research Institution Rank

Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit 4.9

Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 4.5

Environmental Research Unit (Kirkuk Univ.) 4.5

Remote Sensing Unit 4.5

Educational Unit for Peace Studies 4.4

General Directorate of Research Centre. (SUH) 4.3

Salahuddin Alayubi Centre 4.3

Medical Research Unit 4.3

Cell and biotechnology research unit 4.2

Applied Sciences Research Unit 4.1

Date Palm Research Unit 4.1

Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre 4.1

Hemoglobinopathy Unit 4.1

Polymer Research Centre 4.1

Economic Research Unit 4.1

Quality Research Unit 4.0

Clinical Zoonotic Diseases Res. Unit 4.0

GIS and Remote Sensing Unit 3.8

Spatial Research Unit 3.8

Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Centre 3.8

Dams and Water Resources Research Centre 3.6

Market Research Centre 3.5

Kufa Studies Centre 3.5

Centre for Arab & International Studies 3.4

Marshes Research Centre 3.4

Dohuk Research Centre 3.3

Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Research 3.3

Centre of Revival of Arabian Science Heritage 3.3

Environmental Research Centre 3.3

Remote Sensing Centre, Mosul University 3.2

Energy and Fuel Research Centre 3.1

Polymer Research Unit 3.0

Marine Science Centre 2.9

Renewable Energies Research Unit 2.8

Medical Appliances & Replacements Research 2.8

Mosul Studies Centre 2.7

National Diabetes Centre 2.4

Regional Studies Centre 2.4

Biomathematics Unit 2.3

Zoonotic Diseases Res. Unit 2.3

Centre For International Studies 2.3

Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit 2.2

Biological unit for Tropical Diseases 2.1

Research Unit for Die Design & Man. 2.1

Environmental Pollution Research Unit 1.7

Corn Research Unit 1.7

Average of averages 3.4

147

Annexes

Table (Annex II-F3); Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by applied science research institutions

Research institution Rank




General Directorate of Research Centre (SUH) 4.3




Environment and Pollution Control Research Centre 4.1



GIS and Remote Sensing Unit 3.8












Research Unit for Die Design and Manufacturing 2.1




Table (Annex II-F4); Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by selected applied science research institutions


General Directorate of Research Centre (SUH) 4.3









Research Unit for Die Design & Man. 2.1



148

Table (Annex II-F5); Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by energy and environment research institutions






Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre 4.1





Table (Annex II-F6); Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by agricultural research institutions

Research institutions Rank






Table (Annex II-F7); Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by GIS and remote sensing research institutions




Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Unit 3.8


Table (Annex II-F8); Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by medical research institutions


Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 4.5

Medical Research Unit 4.3

Hemoglobinopathy Unit 4.1

Clinical Zoonotic Diseases Res. Unit 4.0

Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Research 3.3

Medical Appliances Re-placements Res. Uni 2.8

National Diabetes Centre 2.4

Zoonotic Diseases Res. Unit 2.3

Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Unit 2.2

Biological unit for Tropical Diseases 2.1


149

Annexes

Table (Annex II-F9; Averages of scores allocated to obstacle groups by selected social science and humanities research institutions


Market Research Centre 3.5

Mosul Studies Centre 2.7

Centre for Arab & International Studies 3.4

Educational Unit for Peace Studies 4.4

Salahuddin Alayubi Centre 4.3

Economic Research Unit 4.1

Regional Studies Centre 2.4

Spatial Research Unit 3.8

Centre of Revival of Arabian Science Heritage 3.3

Centre For International Studies 2.3

Kufa Studies Centre 3.5



150

Annex (II) 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

G. Information and Communications Technology Equipment and InfrastructuresTable (Annex II-G1); Information and communications technology facilities and related resources possessed by responding research institutions.

Total PCs &

laptops

Ratio of PCs & laptops to researchers

Bandwidth for linking to

internet

Availability of intranet

Av. annual expenditure on

ICT (US $)‡

Al Mostansiriyah Centre for Arab and Intl. Studies 7 -25 - Yes -

Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit 1 - - - -

Applied Science Research Unit - - - - -

Biological Unit for Tropical Diseases 1 -26 - - -

Biomathematics Unit 5 5 6* - -

Biotechnology Research Centre 21 - weak - -

Breast & Cervical Cancer Research Unit 16 1 - - -

Cell and biotechnology research unit 1 -27 - - -

Centre of revival of Arabian science heritage - - - - -

Childhood and Motherhood Research Centre 7 1 - - -

Clinical zoonotic diseases research unit 1 0.5 - - -

Corn Research Unit - - - - -

Dams and water resources research centre 30 1 -28 Yes

Date Palm Research Unit 1 0.25 256/212 yes -

Economic Research Unit (Baghdad University) 2 1 - - -

Educational Unit for Peace Studies -

Energy and Fuel Research Centre 22 22/19 100 mbps Yes -

Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre 17 1 - Yes 500

Environmental Pollution Research Unit - - - - -

Environmental Research Centre 36 1 - Yes -

Environmental Research Unit (Kirkuk University) 1 0.529 -30 - -

Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Unit - - - - -

Hemoglobinopathy Unit 1 0.1 - - -

Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 22 1 - - -

Kufa Studies Centre - - - - -

Marine Science Centre 123 0.86 1 GB Yes 208,333

Market Research and Consumer Protection Centre 40 0.7 -31 - -

Marshes Research Centre32 - - - - -

Medical Appliances and Replacements Research Unit 1 0.1 1* - -

Medical Research Unit (Al Nahrain College of Medicine) 10 1.2 2* - 1,000

Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Researches 5 0.6 -33 - -

Mosul Studies Centre 15 1 100 Mb - -

National Diabetes Centre 33 1 - - -

Polymer Research Centre 21 1.33 520 kbps Yes 3,000

Quality Research Unit 1 1 13kbps - -

Regional Studies Centre - - - - -

Remote Sensing Centre (Mosul University) 30 1 - Yes -

Remote Sensing Unit (Baghdad University) 15 1 100 kbps - -

Renewable Energies Research Unit 2 0.33 1* Yes34 -

25 Questionnaire form gives a ratio of 7. There is need to check this ratio.26 This unit has an estimated 11 researchers.27 This unit has an estimated 8 researchers.28 The questionnaire indicates “26” against this entry.29 This Unit is reported as having two staff members of which one is a researcher.30 Questionnaire indicates “internet line from may 2011,” against this entry.31 The Questionnaire states “1 divided to 15 internet line” against this entry.32 Questionnaire form used does not include table on ICT facilities.33 The questionnaire states “non” against this entry.

151

Research and rehabilitation information centre - - - - -

Research Unit for Die Desgin and Manufacture 4 0.8 Available - -

Salahuddin Alayubi Centre for Hist. and Cultrl Studies 5 0.3 535 Yes -

Spatial Research Unit 6 1 1024 m Yes -

Unit of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing 7 0.1 1* Yes36 -

Zoonotic Diseases Researches Unit37 - - - - -

Totals 510 - - - -

‡ Average allocations in USD (thousands) over the period 2005-2010. * No units mentioned next to figure provided34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Table (Annex II-G2); information and communications technology facilities and related resources in Iraqi social science and humanities research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey.

Total number of PCs

and laptops

Ratio of PCs /

laptops to

research staff

Bandwidth available

for linking to the

internet

Availability of intranet networking

Average annual

expenditure allocated to ICT facilities

(US $)‡Social sciences and humanities

Kufa Studies Centre - - - - -

Market Research and Consumer Protection Centre 40 0.7 -38 - -

Al Mostansiriyah Centre for Arab and Intl. Studies 7 7 - 1 -

Economic Research Unit (Baghdad University) 2 1 - - -

Mosul Studies Centre 15 1 100 Mb - -

Regional Studies Centre - - - - -

Salahuddin Alayubi Centre for Hist. and Cultrl Studies 5 0.3 539 1 -

Spatial Research Unit 6 1 1024 m yes -

75

Table (Annex II-G3); Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in GIS and remote sensing institutions responding to the questionnaire survey.

Unit of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing 7 0.1 140 3 -

Remote Sensing Centre (Mosul University) 30 1 - Yes -

Remote Sensing Unit (Baghdad University) 15 1 100 kbps - -

Totals 52 - - - -

Table (Annex II-G4); Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in selected applied sciences research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey.

Polymer Research Centre 21 1.33 520 kbps Yes 3,000

Quality Research Unit 1 1 13kbps - -

Research Unit for Die Desgin and Manufacture 4 0.8 Available - -

Totals 26 - - - -

34 Still described as bad service.35 The questionnaire states “5 bandwidth” against this entry.36 Entry by this institution declares that three networks are available.37 Questionnaire form used does not include table on ICT facilities.38 The Questionnaire states “1 divided to 15 internet line” against this entry.39 The questionnaire states “5 bandwidth” against this entry.40 No units are provided.

Annexes


152

Table (Annex II-G5); Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in energy and environment research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey.

Energy and fuel research centre 22 22/19 100 mbps Yes -

Environment and Pollution Control Researches Centre (Mosul University) 17 1 - yes 500

Environmental pollution Research Unit - - - - -

Environmental Research Centre 36 1 - yes -

Environmental Research Unit (Kirkuk University) 1 0.541 -42

Alternate and Renewable Energy Research Unit 1 - - - -

Renewable Energies Research Unit 2 0.33 143 yes44

Marine Science Centre 123 0.86 1 GB yes 208,333

Totals 180 - - - -

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

Table (Annex II-G6); Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in agricultural research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey.

Corn Research Unit - - - - -

Dams and water resources research centre 30 1 -45 Yes

Date Palm Research Unit 1 0.25 256/212 Yes -

Totals 31 - - - -

Table (Annex II-G7); Information and communications technology facilities and related resources in the medical and life sciences research institutions responding to the questionnaire survey.

Biological Unit for Tropical Diseases 1-46 - - -

Biomathematics Unit 5 5 647 - -

Biotechnology Research Centre 21 - Weak - -

Breast & Cervical Cancer Research Unit 16 1 - - -

Cell and biotechnology research unit 1-48 - - -

Centre of revival of Arabian science heritage - - - - -

Childhood and Motherhood Research Centre 7 1 - - -

Clinical zoonotic diseases research unit 1 0.5 - - -

Medical Appliances and Replacements Research Unit 1 0.1 149 - -

Medical Research Unit (Al Nahrain College of Medicine) 10 1.2 250 - 1,000

Middle Euphrates Unit for Cancer Researches 5 0.6 -51 - -

Hemoglobinopathy Unit 1 0.1 - - -

Iraqi Centre for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research 22 1 - - -

National Diabetes Centre 33 1 - - -

Research and rehabilitation information centre - - - - -

Totals 124

41 This Unit is reported as having two staff members of which one is a researcher.42 Questionnaire indicates “internet line from may 2011,” against this entry.43 No units are provided.44 But described as bad service.45 The questionnaire indicates “26” against this entry.46 This unit has an estimated 11 researchers.47 No units mentioned against this figure.48 This unit has an estimated 8 researchers.49 No units are provided.50 The Questionnaire mentions no units next to this figure.51 The questionnaire states “non” against this entry.

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