The Cambridge Colleges Hospitality Scheme

In 2005 the MBI Al Jaber Foundation supported the Cambridge Colleges Hospitality Scheme in a joint venture with the British Council. The Scheme is part of a wider long-term programme started in 1981 to offer facilities to embattled academics (at that time in Central Europe).

It was widened to Basra University, Iraq, in 2004 and to Mosul, Baghdad and Basra in 2005. It is based in Cambridge, where Colleges offer free board, lodging and logistical support and academics offer their help as mentors.

Strengthening links with the UK

This year the Scheme also had a further grant from the MBI Al Jaber Foundation for additional travel costs in widening links to other UK institutions to assist academics who for political and economic reasons have lacked access to academic contacts, research contacts and facilities, and up-to-date literature and other materials to update themselves and their research and teaching and to build and strengthen links with the UK.

Impact on research training and research programmes

Outcomes should include changes in teaching materials and methods in Iraq which will have an impact on research training and research programmes. It is also hoped to develop the possibility of post-doctoral visits and exchanges between the Iraqi institutions and Cambridge (and other HE institutions in the UK). In addition, Cambridge University and the Economics dept, Keele have been collecting redundant books, periodicals and equipment which they now know can be of use to their Iraqi colleagues to assist them to restock looted facilities.

The Scheme continues in 2006 with a further grant from the MBI Al Jaber Foundation.