New partnership offers Iraqi engineers fellowship opportunities

Engineers are crucial in the reconstruction of Iraq's infrastructure and economic recovery. The Iraq Engineer Enhancement Program (IEEP) is a public-private partnership that would provide Iraqi engineers a six- to 12-month fellowship with public and private sector hosts in both U.S. and regional locations.

The program is a collaboration between the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Commerce, and professional societies, universities, and private sector companies. The Department of Commerce is administering and supervising the program. The United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is also supporting the initiative.

IEEP fellowships are intended to provide individualized professional development for engineers competitively selected from Iraqi ministries, universities, and small businesses. Fellows are expected to receive personalized training in project management, contract development and oversight, and standards. Upon completion of the program, fellows will be required to return to Iraq.

U.S. engineering firms with interest in operating in Iraq would have the opportunity to train selected Iraqi engineers. At the end of the program, the participating firms will have a well-trained engineer to work on reconstruction projects at a competency level exceeding that of the local labor pool, which will increase the company's competitive advantage for securing future contracts from Iraqi ministries.

Cost-sharing will require the U.S. government to administer the application and interview process, cover travel expenses, and provide an orientation in Washington, D.C. Hosts will provide per diem, lodging, and costs associated with training. The Iraqi government will provide continued salary support for fellows from the Ministry of Housing and Construction and state universities.

IEEP organizers are in the process of recruiting host companies, universities, and offices to provide a fellowship experience for interested engineers. For more information, contact Ivy Estabrooke, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Science and Technology Policy Fellow, Office of Naval Research, by e-mail at Ivy_Estabrooke@onr.navy.mil.

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