American University of Cairo.
Why not an American University of Iraq?
A project is underway to build a university modeled after American-style universities - taught in English, teachers from around the world and grads compete for lucrative jobs in business and computer science.
The project managers have:
1. a board of trustees - easy enough to get people to sign on to do that.
2. a business plan - can be done in about two weeks
3. three candidates for university president - I'll do it! That makes four.
4. $25 million in pledges from the American government and Kurdish sources.
However, future school operators say they need $200 million to $250 million over 15 years to complete the task.
$250 million to build a school?! I don't think so.
Maybe A-Rod can defer his salary. It's a sad state when one baseball player makes more money than it would take to build a university in a war-torn country...that is still killing.
I'm off subject.
Iraqi Kurdistan wants the school. But officials in Baghdad say they should get it. After all, Baghdad has been famous for its schools since the 8th century.
It is famous now as well - they have been closed since last October because 150 employees of the Ministry of Higher Ed were abducted and jihadist groups have threatened to kill students on campuses.
It would indeed be great to see any university up and running again in Baghdad...and NOT fifteen years down the road...and NOT for $250 million.
What do you think?
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