The President of the University of Anbar, Professor Dr. Mushtak Talib Salih Al-Neda, received the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Iraq, Ambassador Steven Fagin, and his accompanying delegation. The visit aimed to strengthen academic ties and explore opportunities for scientific and cultural cooperation between the University of Anbar and American universities and educational institutions.
The University President welcomed the Ambassador and his delegation, expressing his pleasure at the visit and describing it as an important opportunity to establish effective academic partnerships and expand cooperation in higher education, scientific research, and the exchange of expertise. He also introduced several of the University’s academic and administrative leaders, as well as faculty members who graduated from American universities.
For his part, Ambassador Fagin expressed his pleasure at visiting the University of Anbar and his admiration for its academic environment, infrastructure, and progress in meeting sustainable development requirements. He affirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Iraq in education, culture, and science. He also noted the launch of four new higher education cooperation programs, including initiatives to build partnerships among six universities—three American and three Iraqi—to help develop academic programs, exchange expertise, and expand scientific collaboration.
The Ambassador explained that this was his first visit to an Iraqi public university following his meeting with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
During the visit, the delegation watched an introductory film about the University of Anbar, produced by the Government Media and Communication Department. The film showcased the University’s main landmarks, infrastructure, scientific facilities, and academic capabilities.
Assistant Professor Dr. Duraid Muayyad Abd, Director of the Scholarships and Cultural Relations Department at the University Presidency, then delivered a detailed presentation about the University. He outlined its establishment and institutional development, colleges and academic units, research centers, major achievements and rankings, international academic partnerships, and memoranda of understanding with universities and educational institutions. He also highlighted its research capabilities and infrastructure, as well as its aspirations to expand its academic presence regionally and internationally.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the University President emphasized the importance of turning the visit into practical steps to strengthen partnerships with American universities, particularly in agriculture, engineering, science, computer science, information technology, and sustainable development. Such cooperation, he said, would create broader opportunities for academic and research collaboration and the exchange of expertise.
The University President presented the Ambassador with the University’s shield and a selection of its publications in recognition of the visit. The visit concluded with a group photograph commemorating the occasion.