In
addition to agricultural revitalization, revitalizing higher education is clearly
a high priority for Iraq’s reconstruction, and indeed the country’s
future. Ideally, this revitalization should include agricultural sciences in
order to fulfill a critical need in achieving food security and self-reliance
in the country. In addition, a clear need exists for reversing the well-documented
decline in nutritional status, especially for children in Iraq. Revitalizing
agricultural higher education should emphasize the introduction of innovative
technologies; produce a strong cadre of scientists and teachers; enhance export
capability, promote environmentally sustainable use of resources with a long-term
perspective; emphasize community assessment and intervention programs for reducing
nutritionally-driven suffering of children; and enhance social and economic
equity in the Iraqi society at large. As a result of the large potential impact
of the partnering of the revitalization of the educational and agricultural
sectors, selection of a partnering institution is of critical importance.