A scholarly visit by Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s Associate Professor Dr Ibiwani Alisa Hussain to the University of Anbar in Iraq underscores APU’s commitment to global academic collaboration, resilience-driven partnerships, and long-term international research and teaching excellence.

Image

Before drawing the curtain on 2025, Associate Professor Dr Ibiwani Alisa Hussain from the School of Business (SoB) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) embarked on a meaningful scholarly journey to the Republic of Iraq—widely regarded as the Cradle of Civilisation—for an academic visit to the University of Anbar (UoAnbar). 

Taking place from 21 to 25 December 2025, the visit reflected APU’s continued emphasis on deepening international academic engagement beyond traditional geographical boundaries.

The visit was initiated following a formal invitation extended by Assistant Professor Dr Faisal Al-Sharqi, Head of the Internationalisation and Scholarships Division at UoAnbar. The invitation itself signalled the Iraqi institution’s strong commitment to fostering global academic partnerships and creating platforms for cross-border intellectual exchange. 

For APU, the visit represented an important opportunity to explore meaningful collaboration in a region marked by both historical significance and contemporary academic resurgence. 

Established in 1987 in Ramadi, the University of Anbar is a leading public research university in western Iraq. Over the years, UoAnbar has faced extraordinary challenges, including displacement and severe infrastructural damage during periods of regional conflict. 

Yet, its recovery stands as a compelling testament to institutional resilience, determination, and the enduring value of education. Through sustained rebuilding efforts and academic reform, the university has re-emerged as a respected centre of higher learning and research in Iraq. 

Today, UoAnbar comprises 18 colleges, alongside specialised research centres dedicated to desert studies and renewable energy—areas of growing global relevance. The university is particularly recognised for its strengths in engineering and computer science, and it consistently ranks among Iraq’s top universities. 

UoAnbar’s performance in global sustainability indicators and research quality assessments further reflects its commitment to addressing both local and international challenges through scholarship and innovation. 

During the five-day visit, Dr Ibiwani engaged in a series of productive discussions and networking sessions with key academic and administrative representatives of UoAnbar. 

These engagements were designed to identify areas of mutual academic interest and to lay the groundwork for sustained scholarly exchange between the two institutions. The conversations highlighted shared priorities in research development, postgraduate education, and international academic benchmarking.

A key highlight of the visit was a meeting with Professor Dr Abdulsalam A. Hussein, Dean of the Centre for Administration and Economics at UoAnbar. The discussion centred on potential avenues for joint research initiatives and collaborative publications, particularly in areas aligned with business, economics, and management studies. 

Both parties expressed a strong interest in leveraging complementary expertise to produce research with international impact. 

In addition, discussions explored the possibility of establishing an exchange of external examiner roles between UoAnbar’s Centre for Administration and Economics and APU’s Graduate School of Business.

Such an initiative would support academic benchmarking, strengthen quality assurance practices, and promote cross-institutional learning. The proposed exchange reflects a shared commitment to maintaining rigorous academic standards while benefiting from diverse institutional perspectives. 

Reflecting on the visit, Dr Ibiwani emphasised its broader significance for APU and the School of Business. “This visit represents more than a single academic engagement. It is a strategic step towards building enduring scholarly relationships.” 

“The School of Business at APU views this collaboration as a catalyst for sustained academic dialogue, joint research endeavours, and meaningful international partnerships that extend well into the future,” she said.

She further noted that the experience reinforced the value of academic diplomacy in bridging cultures and strengthening institutions. “This visit marks an important milestone in expanding the School of Business’ international network and in creating pathways for long-term collaboration that will enrich our academic community and contribute to global knowledge creation.” 

Through this visit, APU continues to demonstrate its commitment to internationalisation, not merely as a strategic objective, but as a living practice rooted in mutual respect, shared learning, and the belief that education remains a powerful force for rebuilding, connection, and progress across borders.