An Open Letter to Members of Iraqi Parliament

Sent in Arabic on 16 October 2018; this is the network's English rendering. The original is available as a PDF.

16 October 2018

To the Honourable Members of the Council of Representatives

We congratulate you on your election as representatives of the people and on earning the people's confidence in democratic elections. We wish you success in advancing the Council's legislative and oversight work, so that laws are passed and enacted that develop the country scientifically, industrially, technologically and culturally, and improve citizens' security of life, livelihood and health.

We, the members of the Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad, are confident that you share our view that the sciences, human knowledge and technology are among the real and necessary requirements for achieving progress and wellbeing for Iraqis — and that the challenges facing Iraqi society's entry into the world of knowledge present an opportunity for greater cooperation between scientists and politicians.

The Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad is an international organisation of independent identity, comprising distinguished scientists working at international universities and scientific institutions. It was established to provide expertise and support in the sciences, technology and other branches of knowledge as a vital part of Iraq's development; to exchange knowledge; and to train technicians and experts in education, innovation and technology transfer. Recognising the paramount importance of science, technology and knowledge to economic progress — and your role in advancing education, research, development and creativity in every part of Iraqi social life — we call on you to work, during the Council's current legislative term, towards:

1. Increasing funding for educational, university and research institutions; reforming the laws, legislation and regulations governing education; drawing up new strategic plans and implementation mechanisms for developing basic and university education in Iraq; and setting standards for adopting international best practice in developing schools and universities.
2. Legislating to make use of available resources to create new employment and enable universities, institutes and scientific and technological institutions to develop and train human resources with the skills the labour market needs — as a foundation for tackling the social ills the country suffers from: extremism, violence, poverty, ignorance, emigration and unemployment.
3. Drawing on the accumulated expertise of Iraqi scientists abroad to achieve wellbeing, peace and sustainable development; harnessing science, technology and education against poverty, discrimination and injustice; and fostering cultural diversity, tolerance and mutual understanding among the components of the Iraqi people through science, technology and education.
4. Attracting Iraqi minds in the diaspora and mobilising all the country's scientific and technological energies; encouraging émigré scientists to invest their abilities inside Iraq as consultants; contributing to a roadmap for academic accreditation of university programmes and international recognition; working with Iraqi universities on quality improvement and assurance and on developing curricula for degrees and scientific programmes; and legislating to support Iraqi–international cooperation in science and technology.
5. Realising the principle of university independence and guaranteeing academic freedom and openness as fundamental pillars of university reform — university independence being the principal guarantee that professors can perform their academic duties, and the way out of the grip of bureaucratic culture and ready-made convictions.

The network affirms the importance of state support for science and universities in forming a workforce fit for the knowledge economy, and of government investment in industry, energy, agriculture, medicine and environmental protection — especially in a developing country like Iraq. For our part, we stand ready to meet this challenge and extend our hands in cooperation with you to draw up strategies and policies for improving basic, vocational and technical education, strengthening workforce skills, and valuing scientific and technological culture.

Please accept our deepest affection and esteem.

Professor Mohamed Al-Rubeai Chairman, Network of Iraqi Scientists Abroad

Copies to the Office of the Presidency of the Republic and the Office of the Prime Minister.