Former HE minister strives to improve universities

From a small, windowless room on the first floor of Baghdad’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdul Razzaq Al-Issa oversaw Iraq’s universities and research activities during a difficult period when the Islamic State controlled large swaths of his country, writes Amr EL-Tohamy for Al-Fanar Media.

“I was fully aware of the task’s difficulties and challenges, but I was independent and not affiliated with any party,” Al-Issa, who was in office from 2016 to 2018, said in a recent telephone interview. “I had a business plan and a clear strategy that was not subject to any partisan favouritism.”

Al-Issa, who is now devoted to writing his thoughts on reforming his country’s higher education sector after it was almost completely destroyed, succeeded in setting plans to restart universities that were closed by terrorist organisations. He also successfully protected many professors and students who were at risk.
Full report on the Al-Fanar Media site