Ambassador of Iraq to Italy and Iraqi Academic Delegation Meet President of Bologna University
On 9 April 2021, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Italy, Mrs. Safia Taleb Al-Suhail, accompanied the Iraqi academic delegation represented by the presidents of Baghdad and Qadisiyah universities, the vice president of the University of Kufa, and his scientific assistant, in meeting with the president of the University of Bologna, Professor Francesco Ubertini.
The meeting was attended by the head of the Italian-Iraqi mission, who is a university professor at the University of Bologna and a well-known archaeologist, prof. Niccolo Marchetti. During the meeting, ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation with Italy were discussed including signing MoUs between Iraqi Baghdad and Kufa Universities and the University of Bologna in Italy to employ Iraqi students specializing in archeology and cultural heritage within a three-year international project (BANUU) from (2020-2023) funded by the European Union, and to contribute to raising the skills of archaeological graduates in line with the needs of work in archaeological sites and respective facilities with more effective modern mechanisms and technologies reflecting the great development in this area.
The signing ceremony included a dialogue session with Prof. Ubertini and the head of the archaeological department responsible for developing international cooperation.
Mrs. Al-Suhail emphasized the importance of creating new mechanisms and paths for cultural cooperation between Iraqi universities at all levels, referring to the security and stability achieved throughout Iraq, which facilitates cultural exchange between professors and students, in all Iraqi universities.
She also noted to the great development taking place in Iraq for investment in education, and the importance of Iraqi scientific edifices throughout history as well as the role of its universities in promoting science and research, stressing the role of Baghdad University, which is one of the oldest universities in the region.
She also stressed the importance of cooperation in support of humanitarian colleges, especially languages, and suggested the development of cooperation in the field of teaching Italian and Arabic languages in Iraqi and Italian universities.