The Challenge of the Last Chance: RCD Releases Definitive Work on the Political Economy of Iraqi Education
Prepared by the Center's Board of Advisors, this work serves as a comprehensive survey of the higher education sector in Iraq. It navigates the complex evolution of the country's educational landscape, beginning with a historical overview from the Ottoman era to the present day.
Authorship and Scope
The book is co-authored by two prominent academic figures:
· Dr. Hasan Latif Al-Zubaidi: Director of Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD).
· Dr. Kamil Alawi Kadhim: Professor of Economics at the University of Kufa.
Across fourteen chapters, the authors provide a rigorous diagnosis of the sector, blending economic theory with practical data.
Key Themes Explored
The study treats education not just as a social service, but as a vital economic sector subject to modern pressures. Key topics include:
· Financial Architecture: A deep dive into funding mechanisms, university costs (both pre- and post-higher education), and the measurement of economic returns on education.
· The "Education Market": An analysis of the sector as a marketplace governed by the laws of supply and demand.
· Private vs. Public: A critical look at the rise of private higher education, its inherent challenges, and its overall impact on educational quality and efficiency.
· Research & Global Standing: An evaluation of scientific research output and the presence of Iraqi scholars in international databases such as Scopus.
Institutional Integrity: Addressing the crucial issues of academic freedom and the independence of universities.