Overview
In the eighties, the Iraqi education system was recognized as one of the most developed systems in Arab countries. However, nearly two decades of conflict, unstable political conditions and an extremely volatile security situation have taken a considerable toll. The Iraqi education system faces critical shortcomings in many areas. One of the main challenges is the limited capacities of teachers in their fields of specialty (teaching subjects) as well as on using modern teaching methodologies. Such limitations have a direct negative effect on school and university students preventing them from proper education and a chance in a better future. Furthermore, instability and lack of security have undermined the normal academic activity in Iraqi universities and triggered an unexpected brain drain that has further undermined the educational opportunities of Iraqi students.
One key concern for both the Government of Iraq and UNESCO is to ensure access to a quality education. "Training of Trainers in Teacher Education for Sustained Quality Education" is one of the projects in the field of education designed to assist in enhancing teacher education through supporting the higher education sector in Iraq. Within the framework of the project an international network for teacher education, "Teacher Training Network for Iraq" has been established linking 6 international universities with the universities of Basra, Baghdad, Salahaddin and Anbar, while more than 300 faculty and lecturers have been trained in 10 educational and scientific subjects.
Building on the ongoing endeavors in strengthening the quality of education at all levels through promoting partnerships between Iraqi and International Universities, UNESCO launched the Avicenna Virtual Campus in Iraq (AVCI) project in response to the request by the Ministry of Higher Education of IRAQ. The implementation of AVCI is planned for 3 years duration and is based on the Avicenna Virtual Campus in the Mediterranean region, established by the European Commission and UNESCO in 14 countries (2002-2006).
The Avicenna Virtual Campus in Iraq project is a comprehensive framework for improving the quality of "Higher Education" and in short term improving also other educational levels including:
Technical Education Secondary and Primary Education Inclusive Education
The various UNESCO programs (TTISSA, TVET, AVC) fit in perfectly with the objectives of this project. The Avicenna Virtual Campus in Iraq (AVCI) offers a platform to different programs and organizational, technological, educational, legal and quality control areas. These tools will improve the overall quality of the system of education in IRAQ. They will also allow all education stakeholders at various levels to cooperate using information technology and the virtual concept (Blended Learning and e-learning). The Blended Learning will improve and enhance the quality of initial education while E-learning will help in developing distance education and lifelong learning.