# American University of Iraq - Baghdad

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Private university

The American University of Iraq, Baghdad
Other name | AUIB
Type | Private
Established | 2018
Students | 260
Location | Baghdad , Baghdad Governorate , Iraq
Campus | Urban
Colors |
Website | auib.edu.iq

The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB) is private, not-for-profit university established in 2018 and started its teaching activities in February 2021 with 260 students in three colleges including Arts & Sciences, International Studies, and Business. The campus has grown quickly with the addition of five more colleges including Pharmacy, Dentistry, Health Technologies, Nursing, and Law.[1][2]

## History[ edit ]

The university opened in February, 2021. It models itself on other regional American-style liberal arts universities such as the American University of Beirut, and the American University of Cairo. In 2017, after deciding the location, the United States Ambassador to Iraq signed an agreement that would pave the way for the university.[3] Its inaugural intake in 2021 comprised approximately three hundred undergraduates. Most of this cohort took English language skills courses at the university's English Language Academy before embarking on their baccalaureate programs.[4] The university opened with three colleges, arts and sciences, business, and International studies.[3]

## Campus[ edit ]

The university's campus is located in what was previously Saddam Hussein’s Al Faw Palace. The former despot built the palace in the 1990s.[3] The grounds belong to the Iraqi government, which leased the former palace to the university on a fifty-year basis. The university has the option to extend the lease for another fifty years when the current lease expires.[3] The campus consists of palaces and attached houses; it spans 643 acres,[5] and has a campus bus service. Diverted water from the Tigris River fills its lakes which some claim contain a unique species of large bass.[6] Hussein’s initials remain etched on into the ceilings, columns, and walls.[3]

## Funding and motivation[ edit ]

A founder's message on the institution's website reads, "I am Saadi Saihood and my sons and I have made it our family’s mission to usher our country out of its legacy of terrorism and turbulence."[7]

So far, the founders have invested $200 million on renovations and refurbishments.[4]

The institution's website posits, “To be truly American, a university must adopt not only English as its language of instruction but also the culture and ethos of higher education in the United States as recognized through U.S. accreditation.”

## Adademic profile[ edit ]

The university's president, Michael Mulnix claims the university offers, “an American model of education focusing on the liberal arts,” Before starting their majors, the university's students spend two years studying philosophy, sociology, psychology, and world history.[8]

### College of Arts and Sciences[ edit ]

Department of Applied Sciences | Department of Humanities | Department of Social Sciences
--- | --- | ---

- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Computer science

- History
- English literature

- Archaeology
- Psychology

### College of Business[ edit ]

Department of Management, Marketing, and Management Information Systems | Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics | Department of Business Administration
--- | --- | ---

- Management
- Marketing
- Management Information Systems

- Accounting
- Finance and Banking
- Economics

- Entrepreneurship
- Professional study

### College of International Studies[ edit ]

Department of Strategic Studies and International Relations | Department of Government and Public Policy | Department of Political Science
--- | --- | ---

### College of Healthcare Technologies[ edit ]

Department of Anesthesiology | Department of Radiology and Sonar Technology | Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences | Department of Dental Technology
--- | --- | --- | ---

Other colleges listed on the university's website are; College of Law, College of Pharmacy, College of Dentistry and College of Nursing.

## See also[ edit ]

- American University of Iraq, Sulaimani
- American University of Beirut (AUB)
- American University in Dubai (AUD)

## References[ edit ]

1. ^
   "Org's about page" . Retrieved 2021-10-29.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
2. ^ "American University Hopes to Fill Higher-Ed Gap in Iraq". Voice of America. 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2021-10-29.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
3. ^ a b c d e Carrion, Francisco (2021-03-10). "From Saddam Hussein's residence to American university: the fate of a sumptuous Baghdad palace". El Mundo (Spain) . Retrieved 2021-10-29.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
4. ^ a b "American university hopes to fill higher-ed gap in Iraq". The Independent. 2021-02-15. Archived from the original on 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
5. ^ "Has Iraq Reached an Inflection Point?" (PDF). National U.S.–Arab Chamber of Commerce. 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2021-11-05.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
6. ^ Williams, Brian (2007-03-08). "Saddam's Al Faw palace not at all what it seems". NBC News . Retrieved 2021-11-05.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
7. ^ Saihood, Saadi. "Founder's Message". American University of Iraq - Baghdad. Retrieved 2021-11-05.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
8. ^ Nabreel, Gilgamesh (2021-04-05). "New 'American' University in Baghdad Aims to Train Future Leaders". Al Fanar Media . Retrieved 2021-11-05.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

## External links[ edit ]

- new american-university-of-iraq-baghdad-aims-to-train-future-leaders

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