James Madison University visits The American University of Kurdistan
Duhok, Kurdistan Region – August 28th, 2022 – Under the U.S. State Department Grant entitled “Support to American Style Higher Education in Iraq”, a delegation from James Madison University (JMU) completed a one week visit (August 28-September 11, 2022) to the campus of the American University of Kurdistan to work with faculty and administrative staff at AUK as the University strives to develop its academic programs, university operations, and plans for accreditation.
The JMU delegation consisted of Dr. Herb Amato, Vice Provost for Accreditation and Faculty Recognition, Dr. Suzanne Fiederlein, Center for International Stabilisation and Recovery (CISR), Dr. Keston Fulcher, Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS), Dr. John Hulsey, JMU Department of Political Science, and Yelisey Shapovalov, Doctoral Assistant, CARS.
The delegation presented both group and individual trainings to the faculty and administrative staff and focused on the monitoring and assessment of academic and non-academic programs. While in Kurdistan, they toured Duhok, Amedi, and Erbil.
Statements/observations from AUK:
– President of AUK – Dr. Randall Rhodes:
“The sharing of American best practices is an important objective of the Grant from the U.S. Department of State. Visits by AUK’s faculty and administrative staff to JMU last March, and this visit by JMU’s faculty and administrative staff to AUK, help to identify policies and procedures to be adopted and adapted for our University. This will help AUK as it moves closer to accreditation and improve its own operations”.
– Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning – Ajin Saadi Zawity:
“JMU’s visit created another forum for AUK’s Faculty and Administration to discuss accreditation and assessment which is essential for IEP’s aim to create a culture of continuous improvement. Since JMU is a larger and older university and has been accredited for decades, their perspectives are helpful.”
Statements/observations from JMU:
– Herb Amato:
“My biggest surprise with regard to my trip to AUK was how they spoke of having a campus with only one building. They forgot to mention that it is one of the most impressive single academic buildings I have ever seen.”.
– Suzanne Fiederlein:
“Our visit to the American University of Kurdistan was the culmination of the first phase of a continuing partnership between JMU and AUK. After the limitations on travel due to the pandemic, it was fulfilling to meet in person with the faculty and staff we had met virtually over the previous two years. We were impressed by the vitality and dedication of the AUK community. And I loved seeing again the Student Government representatives who visited JMU this past March. AUK is well on its way to making a mark on the system of higher education in the region”.
– Yelisey Shapovalov:
“Not only did I enjoy working with faculty that were open and engaged with the workshops we were hosting, but everyone we met, from administrators and professors to students, were warm and welcoming. Visiting AUK, I was able to see the potential and ambition of the AUK community.”