The end of an era: farewell to the Nahrein Network

By Nahrein Network, on 27 August 2025

Dear members and supporters of the Nahrein Network,

After eight wonderful years, it is finally time to say farewell to the Nahrein Network, which shuts down on 31 August. Since I announced our closure in February, and paid tribute to everyone who has worked with us, we have been overwhelmed with messages of appreciation, as well as sadness. Our Padlet tribute wall is still open, if you wish to contribute your thoughts.

Meanwhile, we have been hard at work to wrap up the Network’s legacy.

• Most of our funded research projects have completed their work — see the list below — and last few will follow over the next few months.
  • The Organisation for the Victims of Camp Speicher, The Memorialisation of Troubled Pasts
  • Dr Sura Al-Maiyah and Prof. Hamed Samir, Climate Change, Old Basra Traditional Architecture
  • Prof. Dilshad Omar, The Impacts of the Displacement of Kirkuk Citadel’s Residents
  • Dr Mustafa Mehsen Aljubory, Minorities in Kirkuk
  • Dr Amal Fadhil Khangar and Sonia Ibrahim, Socio-Cultural Layers of Baghdad
  • Dr Hawraman Karim, How to Deal with Halabja Memorial Sites
• The Forgotten City of Kish project, which I lead with Nadia, launched a preliminary version of its English-Arabic website in July, with the final version coming by the end of September, and related academic publications due out in 2026 with Cambridge University Press.
• Mehiyar’s book on the politics of social heritage in Iraq is under contract with Bloomsbury Academic, and should also be out next year.
• The final cohort of six Visiting Scholars will be arriving in the UK this autumn, supported, as ever, by our wonderful partners at The British Institute for the Study of Iraq. (I’ll say more about BISI below.)
• Our third and final sponsored graduate student at UCL also arrives in London in September to start his MSc in Sustainable Cultural Heritage. We wish all three of our UCL graduate students every success this coming academic year..
• We held a very moving Farewell Conference in Baghdad, back in April, and celebrated the completion of the AcademIQ research capacity building programme, led by Mehiyar, with a capstone webinar, Reflections and Perspectives: Strengthening Iraqi Higher Education Research  
• We conducted a thorough impact evaluation of the Network, including a Knowledge Sharing Webinar, which resulted in the release of our final Impact Evaluation Report. This report outlines our key accomplishments over the past eight years, evaluates the reasons for our relative successes and failures, showcases impactful case studies, and provides recommendations for funders, government agencies, and other partners interested in delivering similar initiatives.
• This report is hosted on our legacy website https://www.nahreinnetwork.org, together with many other resources, including a list of alternative funding sources. Our blog and social media accounts will remain open, but inactive. Our UCL email address will no longer be monitored. 
• Finally, I’m delighted to say that BISI has recently relaunched the Visiting Scholarships scheme — which they created in 2004 — with an annual application deadline of 1 December. Please encourage good folks to apply!

Over the coming months and years, I look forward to learning about the successes and achievements of the many Network members I have grown to admire and love over the past eight years, through our shared commitment to Iraq’s heritage and its future. I have learned so much from you all, in so many ways, and the spirit of the Nahrein Network will remain with me forever — as I hope it will for you too.

With my very warmest wishes, as always, 

Eleanor

—

Professor Eleanor Robson, FBA, Director of the Nahrein Network, 2017-25

The future of the Nahrein Network

By Nahrein Network, on 27 August 2025

This post first appeared on our UCL website in February 2025. It has been lightly edited with updated links to our new website.

Dear friends and supporters of the Nahrein Network,

A few months ago, I made the difficult decision to start winding down the Nahrein Network between now and August 2025. By the time we close, we will have been in operation for an incredible eight years! In that time we have:

• Supported 30 locally-led research projects on the sustainable development of cultural heritage in Iraq and its neighbours

• Collaborated with the British Institute for the Study of Iraq and other partners to host 34 short-term Visiting Scholarships to the UK

• Trained 196 Iraqi researchers through the British Academy Writing Workshops and the AcademIQ programme

• Fully funded three graduate studentships at UCL

• Conducted our own research on digital approaches to Iraqi cultural heritage and ancient Middle Eastern languages, the colonial history of archaeology in Iraq, the role of museums, and the politics of post-conflict heritage

• Provided policy advice and briefings for partners in Iraq, the UK, and far beyond

• Disseminated our events, activities and findings through webinars, colloquia, podcasts, social media, newsletters, policy reports and academic publications

To make all this happen, we have worked with many amazing people and made many wonderful friends. Back in 2016–17, Professor Paul Collins, Dr Saad Eskander, Ms Louise Haxthausen, and Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid worked with me on the original project design and grant applications. Co-directors since then have included Dr Anwar Anaid, Professor Paul Collins, Dr Saad Eskander, Dr Jaafar Jotheri, and Dr Rozhen Mohammed-Amin. Staff members in London and Iraq have included Dr Nadia Aït-Saïd Ghanem, Mrs Oana Borlea-Stancioi, Dr Parsa Daneshmand, Dr Misha Enayat, Ms Rahma Ismail, Dr Mehiyar Kathem, Mrs Zainab Mahdi, and Dr Amani Suleiman. We have relied on many wise Management Committee members, a brilliant team of trainers for AcademIQ, and the time and enthusiasm of several student interns. We have benefitted from strong partnerships with ministries and embassies, NGOs and cultural organisations, and many, many universities across the UK, Iraq and beyond. And behind the scenes, multiple people in research support departments across UCL have facilitated programming, payments, contracts, and travel for us. There are far too many people to list here, but you know who you are, and I hope you know how grateful I am for your unfailing support and enthusiasm.

The Network was originally funded in 2017–21 by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), by means of a Global Challenges Research Fund Network Plus grant (AH/R005370/1) and a wonderful group of research officers. Since then, we have been the beneficiaries of an astonishingly generous philanthropic gift from a steadfast donor. Reflecting on our achievements, they write:

The Nahrein Network’s work has been incredible and in so many ways, groundbreaking. It has managed to marry research, community building, skills building, educational infrastructure, heritage, and so many strands that needed to come together in places where that really matters. I will always be grateful to have been a small part of it, and grateful for the work the Network team has done and the lasting impact it has had. The Network more than delivered on a vision that really grew from the ground up, and that expanded upon to meet the changing landscape and totally unforeseen challenges. Thank you for everything.

I am beyond grateful to all the Network’s staff and partners, friends and supporters, all over the world. Together we have achieved far more than I ever dreamed of when the idea began to take shape back in 2016. But I won’t pretend that it has always been easy, and the relentless need to manage the complexity of the Network has finally started to take its toll on me this year. So it’s time to bring our wonderful adventure together to a gradual close.

Over the coming months, we’ll be running a series of events with stakeholders and supporters, to share successes and lessons learned, and publishing a final evaluation and report. Even once the Network is no longer active, an archival website will host documents and resources which I hope will remain useful for many years to come.

Yours truly,

Eleanor
—
Eleanor Robson, FBA, FRHistS
Professor of Ancient Middle Eastern History
Director of the Nahrein Network
University College London

Oral History in Iraq

By Zainab, on 25 August 2025

We talk to Alaa Alameri, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the College of Arts at Mustansiriyah University. Alaa held a Nahrein – BISI Visiting Scholarship at Newcastle University. His project is titled Oral History in Iraq and is under the supervision of Professor Graham Smith.

Prof Alaa at Newcastle University

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am Alaa Al-Ameri, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the College of Arts, Mustansiriyah University, and a researcher specializing in modern and contemporary Japanese history, Japanese education, historical research methodologies, and the philosophy of history. I earned my PhD in 2014 from the University of Baghdad, with a dissertation on The Role of the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan’s Reconstruction (1955–1973). I have held research fellowships at the University of Tokyo (2012), Chiba University (2022), and Newcastle University (2025). 

I also held several academic and administrative positions, including serving multiple terms as Head of the History Department at the College of Arts, Mustansiriyah University. I was also the Rapporteur of the Committee for Updating History Curricula at the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Additionally and played a key role in coordinating and implementing academic agreements between Mustansiriyah University and Chiba University, Newcastle University, and the French Institute for the Near East. 

I participated in numerous international conferences and has published research in his areas of expertise. I have also contributed to organising international academic workshops, including the Iraqi-Japanese International Conference, now in its fifteenth edition, and a workshop on oral history and its integration into Iraqi academia, alongside conferences on national identity and modern historical methodologies. 

Beyond academia, I believe that scholars in the humanities should have practical laboratories to apply their ideas for the benefit of society. Based on this vision, I founded Al-Qiyam Private Schools in Baghdad in 2015, an educational initiative adopting Japan’s Tokkatsu system, which emphasises character building and life skills development. I see these schools as more than just an educational institution; they serve as a practical space for implementing his ideas on educational reform, bridging academic research with real-world application to drive sustainable change. 

I have received numerous awards and honours in recognition of my academic and educational contributions. I continue to develop educational and research projects that enhance the role of knowledge in shaping society. 

Tell us about your project. 

Mainstream academic historical studies have long relied almost exclusively on written documents, often sidelining or undervaluing oral narratives, which are typically viewed as unreliable or lacking objectivity. This approach becomes especially problematic in contexts marked by prolonged conflict and weak institutional documentation, as is the case in Iraq—a country that, for decades, has experienced wars, rapid political shifts, sanctions, civil unrest, terrorism, and a severe institutional vacuum in formal documentation and archival systems. As a result, significant gaps persist in the national historical record, with no comprehensive archive capturing the lived experiences of individuals and communities in real-time. 

In such settings, oral memory emerges as an indispensable source for understanding Iraq’s social, cultural, and political history, especially when it comes to marginalised groups: women, peasants, workers, ethnic and religious minorities, and victims of violence—many of whom remain excluded from official historical accounts. The absence of their voices threatens to erase vital layers of Iraq’s living history. 

This guide adopts a methodological vision that seeks to restore the value of oral history as a scientific tool for documenting collective memory and to bridge the gap between academia and society. It advocates for the integration of oral history into university institutions by developing a comprehensive academic curriculum, training researchers in oral history methods, and establishing oral archives that preserve Iraq’s diverse historical experience before it is lost to time or the passing of those who lived it. In doing so, the guide contributes to reconstructing national memory and promoting epistemic justice in the narration of Iraq’s contemporary history. 

How was your Visiting Scholarship experience in the UK? 

It was an essential and distinguished academic and scientific journey that significantly contributed to strengthening and developing the relationship between Mustansiriyah University and Newcastle University, resulting in the creation of a new educational curriculum and its introduction into the Iraqi academy for the first time. 

What were the main benefits of your scholarship? 

The preparation of an academic guide and curriculum to be adopted in history departments within Iraqi academia. In title (Oral History in Iraq: A Methodological and Practical Guide for Academic Research and University Training).

What was the main highlight of your scholarship? 

It was exceptional and fruitful in every aspect, particularly in terms of the academic experience I gained from a prestigious university, which I will certainly carry forward to my current university. 

What were the main things you learnt from your Host Institution? 

A robust spirit of support and scientific collaboration from colleagues, combined with the development of a global research approach. I have gained enough experience to employ the oral history method in academic research and to train students in applying this new research approach. 

How has the scholarship helped you in your work in Iraq?  

The fellowship plays a crucial role in enhancing research and historical writing techniques in Iraq, benefiting individuals and leading to the creation of a guide for academic research in oral history for the entire Iraqi academic community. 

What will you do to continue your research in Iraq? 

The subject has been introduced as a course for master’s students and will be offered as a joint programme between Al-Mustansiriyah University and Newcastle University. It has also been included as a topic within the historical research methodology curriculum for undergraduate students. Furthermore, an international symposium on the subject will be held on 16 October at Newcastle University. 

The Nahrein Network’s Farewell Conference in Baghdad

By Zainab, on 25 June 2025

On 25 and 26 April 2025, the Nahrein Network organised a farewell conference, after eight years of working in Iraq. The conference, organised in Baghdad, saw over 120 participants attend, most of whom were active members of the network. Those include visiting scholars, grant recipients and also beneficiaries of the network’s numerous research and capacity-building programmes. 

Professor Eleanor Robson, director of the Nahrein Network, stated that Iraq has witnessed progressive transformation since the start of the programme in 2017 and that all involved should be proud of their achievements and contributions to Iraq’s higher education, research capacity and cultural heritage development. 

The two-day conference programme saw participation from over thirty research institutions and universities in Iraq, including from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and from neighbouring countries. Themes included those pertaining to post-conflict recovery, living traditions, threatened heritage, building professional and knowledge networks, higher education capacity building and the impact of visiting scholarships to the UK. The conference consisted of panel discussion and presentations, which showcased Iraq’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and the nature of programmes and activities supported over the past few years. 

Some of the projects discussed included those concerning Iraq’s water-based cultural heritage, research concerning museums, cultural minorities and the impact and legacies of conflict on Iraq’s cultural property and tangible heritage and the impact of investment on the country’s archaeological sites. 

At the end of the conference on 26 April, participants were invited to a meal of masgouf fish, at the Abu Nuwas based Al Baghdadi restaurant. 

The conference ended with a call to continue the work started by the Nahrein Network and to strengthen project-based and institutional relationships and collaborations. The Nahrein Network formally comes to a close at the end of August 2025. 

Nineveh Gates: Challenges, Sustainability and Strengthening Community Relations in Mosul

By Zainab, on 18 June 2025

We talk to Mustafa Yahya Faraj, an archaeologist with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. Mustafa held a Nahrein – BISI Visiting Scholarship at UCL. His project is titled Nineveh Gates: Challenges, Sustainability and Strengthening Community Relations in Mosul and is under the supervision of Professor Mark Altaweel.

Mustafa with Prof Eleanor Robson at UCL

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m an archaeologist from Mosul, Iraq. I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Ancient Archaeology from the University of Mosul, and I have been working with the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq (SBAH) since 2013. I have worked at some of Iraq’s most significant heritage sites, including Nineveh, Nimrud, and the Mosul Museum, where I’ve been actively involved in excavation, restoration, and emergency rescue projects. These experiences have also allowed me to collaborate with esteemed institutions such as the University of Mosul, the Smithsonian Institution, and the University of Heidelberg.

From 2023 to 2025, I was part of—and helped lead—the restoration project of the Mar Toma Syriac Orthodox Church in the old city of Mosul. This initiative, supported by the ALIPH Foundation and L’Œuvre d’Orient, aimed to revive one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. I’m also passionate about documenting historical buildings and sites, especially in Mosul before and after the ISIS occupation. My work includes extensive photographic and written documentation to help preserve cultural memory and identity.

I have completed several international training programs, including a rescue archaeology course at the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage (IICAH) in Erbil, and courses on archaeological entrepreneurship offered by Koç University and the University of Bologna. In 2025, I was honored to serve as a Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Archaeology – UCL, where I conducted research on the social, economic, and cultural impact of the Gates of Nineveh on the local community.

I am a member of ICOMOS and ISCARSAH, and throughout my career, I have received over fifteen certificates and letters of appreciation from both Iraqi and international institutions in recognition of my contributions to heritage preservation.

Tell us more about your project.

My research project focuses on the Gates of Nineveh from three key aspects. First, it involves assessing their current condition, documenting violations, and reviewing previous excavation rescue and restoration efforts after 2017. Second, it explores sustainable approaches to the conservation and management of the gates. Third, it examines the relationship between the gates and the local community, how people interact with these structures and perceive them as symbols of heritage and identity.

How was your Visiting Scholarship experience in the UK?

My Visiting Scholarship experience in the UK was truly transformative, both academically and personally. I had the honor of joining the Institute of Archaeology at University College London (UCL) as a Visiting Scholar, where I focused on researching the Gates of Nineveh. This opportunity allowed me to engage with outstanding researchers, and explore the British Museum and UCL’s extensive library collections.

Living in the UK gave me the chance to learn about the country’s rich heritage and preservation practices. I visited several historic sites including Avebury, King Richard III Visitor Centre, and the city of Bath. These visits offered hands-on insight into how archaeological sites are presented, protected, and integrated into public life. I was especially impressed by the museum interpretation techniques, the integration of digital media in storytelling, and the urban planning efforts to preserve architectural identity in historic cities like Bath.

Equally important were the cultural experiences exploring London’s communities, visiting monuments and landmarks, and building friendships with people from around the world. These moments broadened my perspective and strengthened my belief in the importance of international collaboration in cultural heritage protection.

The knowledge, skills, and inspiration I gained during this scholarship are already influencing my work in Iraq, especially in documentation and site management. I am grateful to the British Institute for the Study of Iraq (BISI) and Nahrain Network for making this journey possible, and I look forward to building on this experience in future heritage projects.

What were the main benefits of your scholarship?

I was given a remarkable opportunity to start conduct research on the Gates of Nineveh at the Institute of Archaeology – UCL, focusing on four key aspects. First, the study the current condition of the gates and the violations they have been subjected. Second, it explored methods of archaeological site management and sustainability, with the aim of adopted these practices to the Gates of Nineveh. Third, it investigated the relationship between the gates and the local community, considering them as symbols of cultural identity, tourist attractions, and potential agents of community healing in Mosul’s post-conflict context. Finally, the research involved the creation of a new multi-layered map of the Gates of Nineveh, based on aerial and satellite imagery. This map includes three layers: the first from Royal Air Force (RAF) aerial photographs taken in the 1920s, the second from CORONA satellite images dating to the 1960s, and the third from recent satellite imagery, allowing for a comparative analysis of the gates condition over the past 100 years. Without this generous scholarship, it would not have been possible to carry out the research in such depth and from these important perspectives.

What was the main highlight of your scholarship?

The main benefits of my scholarship included access to academic resources at UCL and the other institutions, as well as the opportunity to engage with leading experts in archaeology and heritage preservation. I visited archaeological sites and museums across the UK to learn new methods of site management and sustainability, with the aim of adopted these practices to the Gates of Nineveh. The experience also allowed me to expand my professional network and gain valuable insights into the protection and promotion of cultural heritage.

What were the main things you learnt from your Host Institution?

From my host institution and supervisor, I learned advanced methods of interpretation and heritage management. I gained a deeper understanding of conservation and promotion strategies for archaeological sites, enhanced my academic research skills, and learned how UK institutions collaborate with local and international partners on heritage projects.

How has the scholarship helped you in your work in Iraq?

The scholarship has significantly strengthened my ability to contribute to the preservation of Iraq’s heritage. It equipped me with sustainable methods for managing archaeological sites, which I can apply in Mosul. Additionally, it broadened my perspective on how heritage can serve as a powerful tool for reconciliation, education, and economic development.

What will you do to continue your research in Iraq?

I will continue my research by collecting field data from the Nineveh Gates, analysing satellite imagery, and interviewing local residents about the cultural significance of the gates. I plan to publish my results and contribute to national and international discussions on the preservation and future of Nineveh’s heritage.

Iraq’s Higher Education Cultural Heritage Curricula and Teaching Materials. Mapping, Assessment and Knowledge Exchange

By Zainab, on 24 March 2025

We talk to Dr. Ahmed A. Al-Imarah, Professor of Higher Education Management at theUniversity of Kufa. Dr. Ahmed held a Nahrein – BISI Visiting Scholarship at the University of Oxford, Department of Education. Dr. Ahmed’s project is titled Iraq’s Higher Education Cultural Heritage Curricula and is under the supervision of Professor Nigel Fancourt.

Dr Ahmed at UCL

What were the main benefits of your scholarship?

• The scholarship provided the opportunity to systematically map, assess, and enhance cultural heritage curricula in Iraq’s higher education system.
• Collaboration with Oxford University academics, particularly Professor Nigel Fancourt, led to developing a research proposal on how universities can support cultural heritage.
• Access to Oxford’s scientific references and academic resources significantly contributed to advancing research.
• Participation in weekly seminars, lectures, and networking with faculty and PhD students expanded academic skills and research perspectives.
• Visiting museums deepened the understanding of tangible heritage and its role in fostering social cohesion and cultural appreciation.

What was the main highlight of your scholarship?

• A key highlight was the development of a collaborative research plan with Oxford University staff to address gaps in cultural heritage education. This included examining how universities can support cultural heritage and engaging in meaningful discussions about its societal impact.
• Another significant moment was delivering a joint lecture with Professor Fancourt at the Iraqi Embassy in London, discussing opportunities for collaboration between Iraqi and British universities.

What were the main things you learned from your host institution?

• Insight into curriculum design mechanisms across different educational systems, with a focus on improving Iraq’s cultural heritage education.
• The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in cultural heritage studies.
• Effective methods for integrating cultural heritage themes into university programs to promote social cohesion and national diversity.
• The value of museums in preserving history and fostering a shared cultural identity.
• Best practices for conducting and publishing academic research, particularly in underexplored areas like Iraqi universities and their role in cultural heritage.

How has the scholarship helped you in your work in Iraq?

• It has provided a foundation for enhancing cultural heritage curricula in Iraqi universities by incorporating global best practices.
• The collaborative research proposal with Oxford University will contribute to addressing gaps in Iraq’s higher education sector.
• Connections established during the visit will facilitate future academic partnerships and knowledge exchange between Iraqi and British institutions.
• The insights gained from museum visits and academic discussions will be applied to promote awareness of Iraq’s tangible and intangible heritage.
• The discussions at the Iraqi Embassy contributed to shaping higher education policies by identifying areas for cooperation between Iraqi and UK universities.

What will you do to continue your research in Iraq?

• Implement the findings from the research project into the cultural heritage curricula at the University of Kufa.
• Continue collaboration with Oxford University through the extended university ID, allowing further access to academic resources.
• Organize a training program on global research methodologies for Iraqi professors.
• Work on publishing research on the role of Iraqi universities in supporting cultural heritage.
• Promote interdisciplinary approaches to cultural heritage studies and encourage faculty members to integrate these topics into their teaching.
• Advocate for academic partnerships between Iraqi and British universities, focusing on faculty exchange, student opportunities, and research collaborations.

Dr Ahmed at UCL

Strengthening Academic Collaboration: Scientific Symposium at the Iraqi Embassy in London

By Zainab, on 8 March 2025

On February 10, 2025, the Iraqi Embassy in London hosted a scientific symposium focused on strengthening academic collaboration between Iraqi and British universities. The event brought together embassy officials, the Iraqi Cultural Attaché, and esteemed professors from various British universities to explore opportunities for excellence in higher education.

The symposium featured insightful discussions led by Nahrein Network – BISI Visiting Scholar, Professor Ahmed A. Al-Imarah and his Research Supervisor, Professor Nigel Fancourt from the University of Oxford. Their joint lecture highlighted key topics such as common challenges in higher education, opportunities for development, and essential elements for successful university partnerships.

A major outcome of the event was the proposal of four priority areas for collaboration:

• Enhancing academic culture
• Hosting academic visitors
• Inviting postgraduate students
• Sharing unique research data

The discussions emphasized that careful planning is crucial to ensuring these collaborations benefit both parties. Moreover, the success of partnerships should be measured by tangible outcomes, rather than simply signing agreements. While challenges exist, they can be overcome through strategic cooperation and shared commitment.

This symposium aligns with recent government initiatives to strengthen partnerships between Iraqi and British universities, following the Iraqi Prime Minister’s visit to the UK. The recommendations from the event will be submitted to the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, contributing to long-term academic and research collaboration.

Dr. Bzhar Othman Ahmed on the Economic Life of Jews in Koya (1918-1951) at LSE-MEC

By Zainab, on 3 March 2025

Dr. Bzhar Othman Ahmed, a history lecturer at Soran University in Soran City in Erbil, has been awarded a Nahrein Network – BISI Visiting Scholarship at the London School of Economics Middle East Centre (LSE-MEC) for his research project, The Work and Heritage of the Jews of Koya (1918-1951). His research focuses on reviving the historical trades and cultural heritage of the Jewish community in Koya, including traditional occupations such as carpentry, jewelry making, tailoring, dyeing, and clothing design.

As part of his scholarship, Dr. Bzhar is utilizing archives from The National Archives and the British Library, which hold significant records on the Jewish community of Koya and Iraq. His initiative aims to create a digitized collection of archival records, preserving and shedding light on the rich history of Koya and its Jewish heritage.

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Dr. Bzhar delivered a presentation at LSE-MEC on his latest research topic, The Economic Life of Jews in Koya (1918-1951). The seminar was attended by scholars from various universities and academic institutions, including the Dean and Deputy Dean of LSE-MEC, researchers, counselors, and members of the British Institute for the Study of Iraq (BISI). Notable attendees included Prof. Dr. Erica Hunter, Dr. Noorah Al Gailani, and Joan Porter MacIver.

Dr. Bzhar began his presentation by introducing himself as a Nahrein Network – BISI Visiting Scholar and providing an overview of his home institution, Soran University. He then shared updates and outcomes from his latest research. The findings from this project will soon be published in two articles, offering unprecedented insights into the economic life and Jewish heritage of Koya from 1918 to 1951.

Through this scholarship, Dr. Bzhar’s work is not only uncovering a largely overlooked aspect of Iraq’s diverse cultural past but also ensuring that the heritage of Koya’s Jewish community is preserved for future generations.

The Nahrein Network and the Ministry of Higher Education in Iraq sign an MoU

By Zainab, on 4 February 2025

Professor Eleanor Robson, Director of the Nahrein Network, signs an MoU with the Ministry of Higher Education.

On 16 January 2025, the Nahrein Network and the Ministry of Higher Education, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Iraq, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The event was held in London, which coincided with an Iraqi government delegation visit to the United Kingdom. The MoU covers the organisation of research grants, scholarships and support to Iraqi universities in the fields that the Nahrein Network focuses on. 

In addition to the Nahrein Network, the Ministry of Higher Education signed 12 MoUs with universities in the United Kingdom, some of which were for specific research programmes. The majority of those agreements were however for paving the way for the Iraqi Government’s initiative to fund 5,000 masters and PhD scholarships, many of which will be at universities in the United Kingdom. 

After the ceremony was completed, a workshop was organized by the British Council, which is spearheading the ‘Academic Bridge Programme’, an initiative to strengthen research and knowledge exchange between UK and Iraqi universities. The Academic Bridge Programme is about upgrading Iraq’s intellectual and technical capacities across all sectors and fields and is designed with a view to harnessing higher education opportunities and to support upskilling Iraq’s universities to better address the country’s challenges. 

Bab Baghdad: A Gateway to Culture, History, and Heritage

By Zainab, on 23 October 2024

Written by Talib Issa

The center’s courtyard is located along the banks of the Tigris River.

Given the significance of this project, the Nahrein Network at UCL has aimed to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of Baghdad residents through an interactive research initiative. The project, carried out by the Peta Cultural Services and the Baghdad Cultural Center, involves researching the building’s history for the first time by exploring the Ottoman archives and relevant Iraqi institutions. Additionally, the project includes developing an interactive guide, a first-of-its-kind effort in Iraq.

The media team continued their diligent work in creating and producing reports that will be displayed on special screens at the Baghdad Cultural Center. They completed the first video, which features a beautiful presentation about Baghdad’s libraries and their esteemed scholars, along with a delightful and distinctive collection of photographs.

Baghdad Cultural Centre Team Meeting

The survey team prepared several survey models for the center’s staff, attendees, cultural organizers, and event hosts, which contained information that will be utilized for the first time in evaluating and reconsidering the administrative and cultural work at the center.

Additionally, the designated wing for the project at the center has been completed and equipped with all necessary supplies for use in periodic meetings for various teams, as well as for the storage of the project’s extensive archive, which has started to grow gradually over time.

The team’s trip to Turkey marks a significant step forward for both Baghdadi and Iraqi research. By looking from “Baghdad of Peace” to “Istanbul of Books,” the team created a cultural bridge between Iraq and Turkey’s intellectual communities. During the visit, the team obtained valuable photographic archives from the Presidency of Istanbul University and the rare books library. They uncovered around 3,600 documents related to the Rashidi Military School and Ottoman education in Iraq, written in ancient Ottoman script and dating back over 130 years. The Bab Baghdad project was the first to access and review these documents, which will continue to be studied for years to come.

Documents collected from team’s trip to Turkey

Additionally, we acquired from the private museum of the Turkish Ministry of Defence documents pertaining to the Rashidi Military School and everything related to the building from 100 years ago, which are considered the most important and oldest records in the center’s history. These included signatures from the director of the military school, Ali Saib Effendi, and names of teachers from that time.

In the war museum under the Turkish Ministry of Defense, we found the names of the Rashidi Military and preparatory schools in Baghdad displayed on informational posters, illustrating the administrative level of the military school and its connection to the military academy.