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

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, 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.