IRAQ's Global ICT Program A Management Risk Assessment

Network Learning

The Networked Learning model provides that the civilization will be able to educate its individuals to be able to live with and function around ICTs.  UNESCO reports that prior to the first Gulf War in 1991 Iraq had one the best educational performances in the region. Primary school Gross Enrollment Rate was over 100% and literacy levels were high. Since that time education has suffered as a result of war, sanctions, and instability.  Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority, with substantial international assistance, undertook a complete reform of Iraq’s education system.

Among immediate goals were the removal of previously pervasive Baathist ideology from curricula and substantial increases in teacher salaries and training programs, which the Hussein regime neglected in the 1990s. The new Ministry of Education appointed a national curriculum commission to revise curricula in all subject areas. Because of under-funding by the Hussein regime, in 2003 an estimated 80 percent of Iraq’s 15,000 school buildings needed rehabilitation and lacked basic sanitary facilities, and most schools lacked libraries and laboratories. 

            However, at the university level, there is a drastic increase in the capability of ICT learning.  There are 11 registered universities in Iraq, and I am pleased to announce that most of them have functional websites.  Not only that, but they also have advanced technical programs including programs in Computer Science and Software Engineering.

            This stage levels might be at stage 3, but the capabilities of local grade schools and high schools is very limited.  It is doubtful that there is any relevant technical or computer training that is offered under the university level.  There is also a program to specifically train women in ICT usage.  The Iraqi Women's ICT Center is a technical education program to train women in Information and Communications Technologies. ICT, from basic computer skills to advanced engineering, will be taught by distance and e-learning at a network of computer centers based at the University of Technology in Baghdad and provincial university sites.

 The Center curriculum, courses and facilities will be provided by international Strategic Partners from universities and industry. Initial partners are the University of Colorado and SUN Microsystems, providing telecom and IT courses and the education platform of servers and networked computers.  The 4-Tier curriculum prepares women for engineering, technical, managerial, and operational roles in the ICT sector and in government agencies, schools, health care, private business and their own SMEs. The network of Centers connected to the Internet will provide access throughout Iraq.