FSU Signs Agreement with University of Babylon

Officials from Fairmont State University and the University of Babylon in Iraq on Monday, April 19, signed an agreement to formalize a relationship between the two universities.

The government of Iraq has set aside funding to send Iraqi students to the U.S. to obtain higher education degrees. The University of Babylon is interested in opportunities for its students to pursue degrees in areas such as criminal justice and business at FSU and possibly training for university faculty members in different fields.

Dr. Jawad K. Al-Janabi, Vice President for Administrative and Fiscal Affairs, and Dr. Mujbil R. Merjan, Dean of the Business and Economic College, from the University of Babylon have been visiting FSU since March 29, meeting with many on campus, attending campus events and learning about programs and opportunities at FSU. The visitors were hosted by the FSU School of Business.

"I very much appreciate the relationship that is emerging between the two institutions," said FSU President Tom Krepel.

FSU and the University of Babylon have reached agreement on the following areas of cooperation, subject to mutual consent and the availability of sufficient funding:

• Exchange of academic and administrative staff;
• Student exchange for research and study;
• Joint educational training and/or research activities;
• Exchange of information in fields of interest to both parties;
• Practical training in pre-identified or otherwise selected field sites;
• Cooperation on academic, administrative or curriculum matters;
• Collaborative research projects, lectures, symposia, seminars, conferences, etc.;
• Exchange of academic materials and other information;
• Special short-term academic programs; and
• Joint ventures.

"This is a good signal for collaboration between the two universities," Al-Janabi said.

Fairmont State University has similar agreements with higher education institutions in other areas of the world. FSU has a student exchange program with the University of Calabria in southern Italy and a nursing student exchange program with Ansan College in South Korea.

Seated from left to right are Dr. Maria Rose, FSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Tom Krepel, FSU President; Dr. Jawad K. Al-Janabi, Vice President for Administrative and Fiscal Affairs at the University of Babylon; and Dr. Mujbil R. Merjan, Dean of the Business and Economic College at the University of Babylon. Standing from left to right are Dr. Mohamed Alshallah, Associate Professor of Economics/Business Administration, and Dr. Richard Harvey, Dean of the FSU School of Business.

University of BabylonRichard Harvey