Overview

The U. S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has announced a competition to identify potential host institutions for the 2010 Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program for Iraq. This 10-week program brings cohorts of Iraqi scholars in select fields to U.S. institutions for faculty development, research, and other guided study activities. The program is designed to equip grantees with knowledge and tools necessary to build the capacity of universities in Iraq and to advance the education of future generations of Iraqis.  The program lays the foundation for Iraqi scholars and their U.S. hosts to develop long-term institutional relationships and areas of cooperation that can be sustained after the grant period. The Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) administers the program on behalf of the Department of State and is pleased to offer this opportunity for U.S. institutions to apply to host the scholars in the summer of 2011.

Anticipated Outcomes

• development of professional and academic knowledge and tools in the scholars’ fields that can be applied to Iraqi higher education
• formation of networks between the Iraqi scholars and U.S. scholars across institutions and disciplines
• development of expertise in the scholarship of teaching, service learning, the use of technology, development and management of libraries and other collaborative methods of research, instruction, and student engagement appropriate to Iraqi higher education.
  

Program Activities

• Scholars first arrive in Washington, DC, for a five-day seminar to introduce them to U.S. higher education and explore the dimensions of work of U.S. faculty and the role of universities in economic development. Additionally, scholars will receive tutorials on IT tools commonly in use on U.S. campuses and will address other issues that will facilitate the integration of the Iraqi scholars into their U.S. host institutions and make their short stays productive.  The seminar will conclude in a day-long joint session with the Iraqi scholars and their host U.S. faculty associates. Representatives from the U.S. host institution will be expected to take part in the orientation seminar on the concluding day.  Expenses will be provided by the program.
• Scholars arrive on host institution campus for an eight-week residency that will combine exposure to current teaching/research in their respective fields with activities designed to introduce them to the structure and operation of an institution of higher education. 
• Debriefing and Evaluation by participants takes place in Washington DC at the completion of the program. 
• Scholars will depart for Iraq.

Host Institution Component

Institutions should prepare a statement that explains the interest in being selected as a host site and identifies one or more faculty hosts who will have a direct relationship with the visiting scholars.  Institutions should address the following criteria when explaining their suitability as a host:

• Expertise in innovative teaching methods, service learning, collaborative under-graduate research, use of technology, in-service professional development, management of libraries, schools or higher education institutions, other methods of research, instruction and student engagement relevant to the Iraqi context
• Familiarity and experience with higher education institutions in the Middle East
• Faculty hosts sensitive to adjustment issues the scholars are likely to experience
• Suitable housing and accommodations for the scholars (cost to be covered by the program budget)
• Other proposed activities, e.g., opportunities to work one-on-one with faculty or professionals on a study or research topic, workplace visits/observation or shadowing, opportunities to attend or participate in professional meetings, opportunities to address academic or community groups on Iraqi higher education, attend courses

Institutional Logistical Support

Host institutions are asked to provide:

• Suitable housing for the scholars at a reasonable cost, to be covered by CIES
• A designated individual (principal faculty contact or other) who will be responsible for implementing program and logistical arrangements for the Fulbright scholars at the host institution.
• Office space, access to institutional resources (library, computer), etc. where possible
• Assistance in accommodating religious dietary practices for Fulbright Scholars, e.g., Vegetarian or Halal as well as accommodations during Ramadan

Visa Arrangements

Visiting Scholars will enter the United States on J-1 Exchange Visitor Visas issued under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program G-1-00005.

Participant Profile

Visiting Scholars will be senior faculty in a department, including department chairs, deans or directors of constituent colleges of a university or mid- to high-level administrators of an institution.  They will be highly motivated to engage with colleagues and others of their academic and professional fields in the United States.  Selected participants will meet most of the following criteria:

• Permanent or tenured position with an institution of higher education in Iraq
• Demonstration of an advanced level of education, training or expertise in one of the recommended fields
• Expressed commitment to advancing their own academic/professional development and to contributing to the development of Iraqi educational institutions
• Expressed plans to undertake a project or activity to share knowledge and tools obtained during the program with colleagues and others in Iraqi higher educational institutions; specific activities may include development of curriculum, teaching materials, promotion of collaboration within and among institutions, establishment of substantive and workable relationships with U.S. institutions
• Ability to communicate fluently in English, both orally and in writing

If your institution is interested in participating in the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program for Iraq and hosting a cohort of scholars, please contact IraqFulbright@iie.org.