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The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB) is a private, not-for-profit university located in Baghdad, Iraq. Established in 2021, the university is situated within the Al-Faw Presidential Palace, a former presidential site that has been transformed into a university campus. AUIB offers liberal arts-based education modeled on American higher education standards, with English as the language of instruction. The university provides both undergraduate and graduate programs. AUIB's mission is to play a role in the rebuilding of the country's civil society and the economy.

History

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Following the end of the Iraq War in 2011, Ali al-Adeeb, the country's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, advocated for the establishment of an American-style university in Iraq's capital, Baghdad.[1] He wrote that the American University of Iraq in Sulaymaniyah, established in 2007, contributed significantly to progress in northern Iraq, but that an additional institution in central Iraq was needed to serve the rest of the population. He further argued in favor of the Western educational model of the American university, writing, "We have seen the effect that such institutions as the American University of Beirut and the American University in Cairo have had on generations of young Arabs. We want that today in Iraq."[1] AUIB is one of over fifteen private American universities established in the Middle East and North Africa since the end of the Cold War.[2]

In 2017, Douglas Silliman, then U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, signed an agreement to open the American University of Iraq – Baghdad at the Al-Faw Presidential Palace.[3] The palace was built by former President of Iraq Saddam Hussein in the 1990s.[3] After the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, it was occupied by American and coalition forces and incorporated into Camp Victory.[3][4] The site required extensive renovation to convert into classrooms and lecture halls, costing over $420 million.[3][5]

Admission of the first class opened in December 2020.[6] In February 2021, then-Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and –U.S. Ambassador Matthew Tueller attended the AUIB opening ceremony.[5] The school began offering courses in the colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, and International Studies, with around 2700 students enrolled.[3][7]

AUIB has secured several grants, awarded by the U.S. State Department.[8]

Campus

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AUIB is located near Baghdad International Airport and is 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) from Baghdad's Green Zone.[3] The university established a 50-year lease on the 622-acre (252 ha) site of the Al-Faw Presidential Palace, including the palace itself as well as several adjoining residences and four artificial lakes fed by the Tigris River.[3][5] The buildings are decorated, with marble floors and coffered ceilings, and they are designed to accommodate up to 60,000 students.[3]

Access to the campus is restricted for security reasons; students, and visitors must pass a security checkpoint at the front gate.[9] Once inside, because of the site's size, the campus relies on electric buses for internal transportation.[3] The center of campus includes a restaurants, and cafeterias as well as 9-a-side football field, basketball, and tennis courts.[9]

There are future development plans including student residences.[10] A health cluster, including a medical college and teaching hospital are anticipated to be completed in 2028-2030.[11] The architectural plans for the medical complex won a Wild Design Award in 2024.[12]

Administration

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AUIB operates under a leadership structure supported by both private and public sectors. The university is primarily funded through a combination of government and private contributions, with tuition fees accounting for approximately 20% of its operating costs.[7] The average annual tuition is around $6,000, although many students receive full or partial scholarships based on academic achievement and financial need.[7]

AUIB's chief financial supporter is Mr. Saadi Waheeb Saihood, an Iraqi businessman.[4][13] He is the Chairman and CEO of the Raban Al-Safina Group (RAS Group), a diversified conglomerate involved in energy, construction, oil and gas, technology, and real estate. Mr. Saihood also founded the Mr. Saadi Waheeb Saihood Scholarship to support academically talented Iraqi students from financially challenged backgrounds.[14][15]

AUIB's founding president, Dr. Michael Mulnix, previously served as the founding president of the American University of Kurdistan.[7] In the second half of 2025, Dr. Mulnix will be succeeded by Dr. Bradley Cook, former president of the American University of Bahrain.[16]

Academics

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AUIB adopted an American-style liberal arts education model. Unlike the traditional structure of most Iraqi universities, where students enter directly into a specialized academic major, AUIB students begin their studies with a two-year liberal arts core curriculum.[7]

All courses at AUIB are taught in English. To support students transitioning into English-medium higher education, many students in the university’s inaugural classes enrolled in an English Language Academy prior to entering their degree programs.[7][17]

AUIB is licensed by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), and the national accreditation process is underway.[17] The university has also sought U.S. institutional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). AUIB’s College of Pharmacy has already achieved international pre-accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).[18]

While the majority of academic offerings are at the undergraduate level,[13] AUIB currently offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) through a partnership with Lawrence Technological University (LTU).[19] The university also plans to expand its graduate offerings, including programs in the health sciences such as medicine and advanced pharmacy studies.[7][20] three new master’s degree programs are under active review by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and are in the final stages of approval.[21]

The University is structured into nine colleges:[13]

  • Dentistry with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery program
  • Education and Human Development, which offers a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching and Learning Design
  • Engineering with programs in Computer & AI, Electrical, Mechanical, Petroleum and Engineering Management
  • Healthcare Technologies, comprising Anesthesia Technology, Dental Technology, Optometry and Vision science, and Radiology and Sonar.

Student life

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As of 2025, AUIB serves a student body of approximately 2,700 students.[22]  

AUIB graduated its first class in May 2025. The ceremony included 38 graduates. Officials "hope the graduation will mark the beginning of a new era in higher education in Iraq rooted in modernity, openness and international academic standards."[23]

Initiatives

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Center of Excellence for Innovation & Development (CEID)

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The Continuing Education Institute (CEID) collaborates with all AUIB colleges and industry partners to deliver seminars, workshops, training programs, and courses that lead to globally recognized diplomas and certificates.[24]

The American Space

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The American Space is a collaborative initiative between AUIB and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.[25] The facility offers a range of programs, including workshops, seminars, and performances. The American Space includes the Digital Hub, to support video production, podcasting, and digital art. The American Space also provides resources for English language learning and guidance on studying in the United States.[26]

The UNESCO Chair

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AUIB has a UNESCO Chair on Education for Health and Well-Being.[27] Aligned with AUIB’s College of Education and Human Development and in partnership with Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, the Chair seeks to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, advance research, and contribute to the well-being of Iraqi society.[28]  

AUIB Press

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AUIB Press is the publishing arm of the American University of Iraq–Baghdad.[29]

AUIB Library

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AUIB Library serves as an academic resource center, offering services and collections to support the university community.[30]

The Center for Climate Change, Water Security, and Environmental Sustainability (CWE)

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The Center for Climate Change, Water Security, and Environmental Sustainability (CWE) at AUIB is advancing research, education, and policy solutions that address the environmental challenges facing Iraq and the MENA region.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Al-Adeeb, Ali (20 December 2013). "Why Baghdad Needs an American University". Chronicle of Higher Education. 60 (26).
  2. ^ Long, Kyle (2020). The Emergence of the American University Abroad (1st ed.). Germany: Brill. pp. 119–156. ISBN 978-90-04-42576-7.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Carrión, Francisco (2021). "De residencia de Sadam Husein a universidad americana: el destino de un suntuoso palacio bagdadí". El Mundo. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b Abdul-Zahra, Qassim (2023). "Erased from Baghdad".
  5. ^ a b c National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (2021). "HAS IRAQ REACHED AN INFLECTION POINT?" (PDF). Nusacc.
  6. ^ Jafar, Hayfa (2024). "Fertile Ground for Establishing American-Style Universities in Post-Conflict Societies: Historical Comparisons and Current Rationales". Higher Education Policy". Springer Nature. 37: 418–435.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Gilgamesh, Nabeel (2021). "New 'American' University in Baghdad Aims to Train Future Leaders". Al-Fanar Media. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  8. ^ Lee, John (2024-12-19). "US Awards AUIB $2.1m to Develop AI, Transform Higher Ed | Iraq Business News". Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  9. ^ a b Carles Grau, Sivera (2023). "The many guises of Saddam's former luxury palace". EFE. Retrieved 17 March 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "AUIB Campus". The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  11. ^ Sumer, Hills (2022). "AUIB HOSPITAL".{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF IRAQ-BAGHDAD MEDICAL CLUSTER PROJECT". BETTER FUTURE. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  13. ^ a b c "Academics". The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  14. ^ "Mr. Saadi Waheeb Saihood Scholarship – RAS Group". Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  15. ^ "RAS Group". Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  16. ^ AUIB (2025). "AUIB Names Dr. Bradley Cook as its Second President". American University of Iraq - Baghdad.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ a b "American university hopes to fill higher-ed gap in Iraq". Yahoo News. 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  18. ^ "American University of Iraq – Baghdad College of Pharmacy – Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) – (International) – (International-Preaccreditation (online evaluation))". Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  19. ^ "Ball State University Announces Education Partnership with American University at Iraq – Baghdad". www.bsu.edu. Archived from the original on 2025-04-28. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  20. ^ "College of Pharmacy". The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  21. ^ Tarek (2024-12-04). "AUIB's College of Business Launches Master's in Strategic Leadership Program". The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  22. ^ Tarek (2025-04-15). "AUIB Names Dr. Bradley Cook as its Second President". The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  23. ^ "First class graduates from American University of Baghdad, once Saddam's palace". AP News. 2025-05-24. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  24. ^ "Center of Excellence for Innovation and Development". The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  25. ^ "American Spaces". U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Iraq. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  26. ^ "American Space | AUIB". The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  27. ^ "UNESCO Chairs Programme" (PDF). www.unesco.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-06-02. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  28. ^ AUIB (2024-05-12). "Grand Opening of AUIB's UNESCO Chair on Education for Health and Well-Being". The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  29. ^ Mohammed, Yuser. "LibGuides: AUIB Publications : AUIB Press Publications". auib-iq.libguides.com. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  30. ^ "AUIB - Main". library.auib.edu.iq. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  31. ^ Stankevičiūtė, Julija. "Datulių palmių šešėlis šylančiam Irako klimatui | NARA". nara.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2025-08-06.
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