PRT News
E-Learning conference held in Iraq
(PRT-Sponsored multi-provincial gathering draws top university officials)
October 26, 2008
By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
Special Correspondents
Al Kut, Wasit Province -- The first E-learning conference in Iraq was held at the Wasit University College of Education October 8 where professors from Wasit, Karbala, Najaf, Mayson, Dhi Qar, and Babil provinces discussed the role of “distance learning” in the Iraqi college system.
E-learning is an electronic teaching and learning experience employing the Internet and computers to reach students. These learners rarely interact directly with instructors or attend courses on a campus, because they study via courses offered online. They may even reside in different cities, provinces or even countries from where the courses originate.
The Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) funded the al Kut conference where eight teachers completed the “Shaping the Way” course, which was partnered with the University of Oregon. The teachers received laptop computers for completing the course and the PRT also donated books worth $5,000 to the University.
“This conference brought together people from different provinces to discuss how e-learning can enhance the teaching environment,” said Dr. Jawad Muttar, Wasit University Chancellor.
Professors submitted 13 research papers during the two-day conference and held discussions about the process of e-learning, and the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning.
“Electronic learning is an exciting development, especially for Iraq,” said Vanessa Beary, Public Diplomacy Officer for the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team. “Education is the key to the future for Iraq, the United States, and the world,” she added.
“The minister appreciates the reconstruction efforts towards education,” said Dr. Muttar, speaking on behalf of the Iraqi Minister of Higher Education. The Minister “hopes the cooperation increases and is faster so that it is favorable to the U.S. and improves the image of the U.S. With this assistance to education, the image of America is changing from blood and war,” Muttar said.
“This conference is an example of the cooperation between Wasit University and the PRT which opened up the doors for us to coordinate with other universities in the U.S. and Britain, and will allow opportunities for students to further their education abroad,” Dr. Ali Majdawi, Dean of the College of Education, Wasit University added.
A wide range of other educational programs in Iraq, funded by the U.S. Government, are coordinated by the Cultural Affairs Office operating out of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. They include:
• The Fulbright Scholars Program that sends approximately 200 Iraqi students for study at American universities for a year;
• The Iraqi Leadership Program, also for university students, that sponsors 140 Iraqis at an intensive six-week course of study at six host institutions in the United States. The areas of study focus on science, technology, journalism, entrepreneurship and public policy;
• The Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, which sponsors scholarships for secondary school students to spend up to one academic year at a high school in America. In 2007, $252,000 was devoted to sponsor 14 Iraqi students in the program; and
• The Young Iraqis Leaders Exchange Program; an ambitious project that awards grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in partnership with similar NGOs in Iraq to bring approximately 200 young people to the United States for four weeks to meet and build relationships with American youths. The program includes a two-week stay with an American family and a civic education week in Washington D.C.
While aimed at increasing the knowledge base of Iraqi youth, the programs are also designed to enhance the leadership abilities of students who may one day be leaders of their communities and country.