Oct 17 2012

More perks for Iraqi university faculty

By Adel Jaber

Azzaman, October 17, 2012

The government has increased benefits and perks of university faculties to make them comparable to neighboring states.

In light of the new regulations, university faculty with academic titles of professor or assistant professor are entitled to keep their positions five years after the official retirement age of 65.

On retirement, university faculty will be entitled to at least 80% of the last salary they earned in service.

But the major benefit, which is seen as a catalyst to for innovative research, is the decision to grant authors of original research papers published in prestigious journals the sum of 4 million Iraqi dinars (more than $3000) each.

The perks were included in a new amendment to the Law of University Service. It is the second major amendment of the law which was promulgated in late 1970s to lure Iraqi professors abroad to return home.

The new amendments make working at a university in Iraq a tempting job even within the context of the neighboring state, including Gulf countries, which for long have been the venue for the exodus of Iraqi intelligentsia.

The government, in a statement, said it was keen to encourage research and also willing to give what it takes in appreciation of “the services offered by Iraqi scientists.”

“The law has been issued particularly to encourage scientific research, support university faculty members with prestigious academic titles and attract Iraqi professors” abroad to join Iraqi universities, the statement said.

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