Salford uni sets up facility to help rebuild Iraq

THE UNIVERSITY of Salford is to work with the University of Basra in Iraq to set up a centre for research in the built environment, with the aim of providing skills and knowledge as the country seeks to rebuild.

The university will help its Iraqi counterpart to set up a school which will be tailored to meet the needs of the local construction sector.

A key part of its activity will be to involve researchers from different disciplines such as engineering, computer science and management to work together on new development projects to contribute to the country’s rebuilding.

The new centre will also help to train academic staff at the University of Basra to create new Masters degree courses in areas such as project management.

Professor Mustafa Alshawi, the Associate Dean (International) at Salford’s College of Science & Technology, said: “Iraq has some very specific needs from its built environment sector, and there are some areas where it lacks expertise and a critical mass. 

“By opening this new centre we will be able to train more researchers and provide existing staff and students with new skills and ways of working.

“I hope that the centre at the University of Basra is only the first of many in the region and I’m proud that Salford is part of such a worthy project.”