Press Release: Iraqi scholars to study in Canadian universities under auspices of WUSC

OTTAWA/BAGHDAD, June 8, 2015 – World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and Canadian Leaders in International Consulting Inc. (CLIC) have signed an agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MHESR) of the Republic of Iraq to manage their scholarship fund in Canada.

This agreement will open the door for Iraqi graduate students to come to Canada and continue their higher education. WUSC and CLIC will work in full coordination with the Ministry and the Iraqi Scholarship Department in Baghdad to ensure that the students are matched with Canadian universities that best suit their specializations and supervisory needs.

With international education as a priority for the Government of Canada, this accord will allow more Iraqi students to benefit from Canada’s expertise and increase multicultural diversity on campuses. The agreement is the culmination of three years of work with the Ministry, and the partners expressed their delight in securing this collaboration for the benefit of Iraqi students and  Canadian universities.

“We look forward to working with Canadian universities to place Iraqi students in world class programs in a range of professional and academic fields,” said Ravi Gupta, Associate Executive Director of WUSC. “WUSC is now providing scholarship management support to Iraq, Botswana, La Francophonie and refugee students sponsored by WUSC and its network of volunteers and supporters across Canada.”

Mazen Chouaib, President of CLIC, stated that “This project is of significant benefit to both Canada and Iraq. It will strengthen CLIC’s presence in Iraq, where we have been engaged since 2008 working with Iraqis to promote good governance and sustainable development. It is a key example of how we are promoting Canadian education and training in all countries and regions where we work.”

“WUSC and CLIC are grateful to the Ambassador of Canada to Iraq and Jordan, Bruno Saccamoni, and the Commercial Counsellor for Iraq Jean Philippe Tachdjian and their team at the Embassy  of Canada in Jordan. They were instrumental to the success of this partnership,” added Gupta.

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For further information please contact:
Rachael Duplisea, Communications Manager, World University Service of Canada
613 761-3700 | 1 800 267-8699 ext. 3700 | [email protected]

Mayssam Zaaroura, Business Development Manager, Canadian Leaders in International
Consulting Inc. (CLIC) 613 421-4888 ext. 223 | [email protected]