Problems, Decline, And Devastation Of The Iraqi Higher Education (He) System

Abstract

The Iraqi higher education system has encountered many issues resulting in decline and devastation. The topic of discussion pertains to the progress and advancement of modern nations. Iraq's intellectual and technical community has been consistently and deliberately targeted through intimidation, abduction, extortion, indiscriminate violence, and purposeful assassinations. The depletion of skilled personnel occurred amidst a widespread attack on Iraq's professionals encompassing medical practitioners, technical experts, legal professionals, judicial officials, and political and religious figures. Many educational institutions were damaged, looted, or closed, and faced shortages of books, research materials, and basic supplies. Before 1991, Iraq's education system was considered among the most exemplary in the region. It boasted a primary school Gross enrollment Rate of over 100% and exhibited high literacy levels for both genders. According to a UNESCO Fact Sheet from March 28, 2003, higher education institutions, particularly those focused on science and technology, were of a caliber that met international standards and was staffed by personnel of exceptional quality. The current situation  in Iraq can be attributed to the U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation, which destroyed various facets of the country's education system and  it has led to a decline of education  . Besides, this invasion and its consequences tarnished the HE system. This paper will try to identify the problems that have caused the decline and showcase the weaknesses of this system.

Originality/value
The originality of doing research on the decline of higher education in Iraq lies in the fact that it is a relatively new and understudied topic. Most of the research that has been done on this topic has focused on the immediate aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion. However, there is a growing body of research that is examining the long-term impact of the conflict on Iraqi higher education.