By Erica Perez of the Journal Sentinel, Feb. 11, 2009
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is taking the first steps toward a formal partnership with Tikrit University in Iraq, university officials report.
One possible outcome would be academic collaboration and study-abroad opportunities for faculty and students in Iraq.
University officials will hold a teleconference with U.S. Embassy officials associated with the Salah ad Din Provincial Reconstruction Team based in Iraq this Friday to discuss the initial details of a possible partnership.
“We believe that this is an exciting opportunity for both of our institutions,” said Division of International Studies Dean Gilles Bousquet. “Education will play a key role in rebuilding Iraq, and UW-Madison has a strong tradition of international service and collaboration.”
Established in 1987, Tikrit University is one of the largest universities in Iraq with more than 12,000 students. It is located is about 100 miles north of Baghdad in an agricultural area on the Tigris River.
In future meetings, Tikrit University is expected to present areas of potential collaboration, including medicine, agriculture, journalism, law, and engineering.