Cablegate: Turkman Group, Hacettepe University Seek U.S.

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

081245Z Jul 05

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 003997

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID
DEPT FOR ECA/A/E/EUR, ECA/A/E/NEA, EUR/PPD, NEA/PD/IRAQ,
NEA/I, EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO EAID SCUL IZ TU
SUBJECT: TURKMAN GROUP, HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY SEEK U.S.
SUPPORT FOR ACADEMIC OUTREACH

REF: ANKARA 3144

1. This is an action request for the Department, USAID, and
Embassy Baghdad--please see para. 9.

2. Summary: The Iraqi Turkmen Assembly and Hacettepe
University are seeking U.S. assistance for a distance
learning project for students in Kirkuk to take classes from
Hacettepe. This is the first step in their plan to bring
students from Kirkuk to Turkey and the U.S., and eventually
to build a brick-and-mortar university in Kirkuk. They have
asked for up to $3.5 million in U.S. assistance (or direct
grants of equipment) for the distance learning project.
Embassy seeks Washington's support for the project. End
summary.

3. PAO and PolMilOff met June 14 with Iraqi Turkmen Assembly
(ITA) leaders Umit Akkoyunlu and Vijdan Terzy as well as the
Dean of Hacettepe University's Engineering School, Selcuk
Gecim, and Engineering Professor Uner Colak. They briefed us
on the ITA and Hacettepe's joint desire to set up a
partnership with students in Kirkuk, with an eye toward
eventually bringing students to Hacettepe University--and
perhaps also the United States--to study. As a preliminary
measure, Hacettepe and ITA would like to offer distance
learning courses (in English) to students in Kirkuk. They
emphasized that this program would be open to all Kirkukis
regardless of ethnic or religious background.

4. Our interlocutors said their eventual goal was to build a
brick and mortar university with a medical school and
teaching hospital in Kirkuk, but they wish to start first
with the distance learning program, and subsequently bring
students to Turkey and/or the United States. Distance
learning would be offered in Kirkuk (as early as Oct. 2005)
at minimal cost and Hacettepe University would administer the
program. The university officials said they have compiled a
list of costs for various components (computers, satellite
Internet connection, course materials) and asked for USG
assistance. They added that the GOT has also expressed an
interest in assisting. PAO asked that Hacettepe provide us
their plans so we can follow up with Washington.

5. When conditions warrant, Hacettepe would also like to
invite Iraqi students to Turkey to study (while some of
Hacettepe's programs are in English--as will be the distance
learning courses--students would need competence in Turkish
to participate in this program), but also with a U.S.
component. Hacettepe currently has an agreement with the
State University of New York, under which Turkish students
attend their first and third years at Hacettepe and their
second and fourth years at SUNY. Dean Gecim hoped that
perhaps Hacettepe could offer a similar program for Iraqi
students, but added that U.S. assistance would be needed.

6. PAO noted that both of these ideas had merit and that the
USG appreciates both the ITA and Hacettepe's initiative. But
he added that he could not commit to funding, particularly
for bringing students to Turkey. The USG's main program for
students was the Fulbright program, but it did not appear
that this plan would fit into Fulbright. Nonetheless, the
Embassy will look into possible U.S. funding sources.

7. On June 20, Akkoyunlu, Terzy, and Gecim presented
PolMilOff with their proposal and funding request for the
distance learning program. PolMilOff undertook to forward
the proposal to Washington for guidance. Dean Gecim noted
that Hacettepe would be happy (indeed would prefer) to accept
in-kind donations (for example, computers) instead of money,
but would happily accept either. We note that the proposal
may not have enough information for Washington to evaluate;
Gecim noted to us that there is a more fulsome presentation
in Turkish he can translate and provide to us.

8. BEGIN TEXT OF PROPOSAL

20.06.2005

Joint cooperation between Hacettepe University and the
Turkmen Assembly on establishing Kirkuk University

For the aim of an actual and realistic participation in the
Rebuilding and Reconstruction of Iraq and in the framework of
the Protocol reached between Hacettepe University and The
Turkmen Assembly regarding the joint cooperation on
student/postgraduate and academic personal exchange
programme, Both parties decided on the following;

Starting a joint graduate education programme between
Hacettepe University, the State University of New York (SUNY)
and Kirkuk University for Iraqi students. The students will
be accepted through defined criteria and start their first
year at Hacettepe University including English language
programmes for beginners. Financial assistance may be very
beneficial to support students through a scholarship.

- The foundation of a medical school associated with an
educational and research hospital within Kirkuk University
campus as the first step of this University. Education shall
be in English language.

- Starting a distance education programme transmitted from
Hacettepe University to Kirkuk University starting with four
disciplines, plus computer and English language programmes.

The following framework was prepared based on four concurrent
educational programs to be realized during the first phase.
Data and video will be broadcasted by a dedicated line
through the satellite transmission.

A) System Definition

Item and Estimated Cost (all U.S. dollars)

Ankara: two e-classrooms, system room, studio: $1,200,000

Kirkuk: three e-classroom, e-library, computer lab, system
room: $1,300,000

B) Miscellaneous items

Item and Estimated Cost

Distance education packages (business and management,
information technologies) (annual lease): $200,000

Data transmission through satellite (annual lease): $200,000

Annual cost for the coursework administered by Hacettepe
University: $300,000

Security and system support, administration, operation and
maintenance cost: $300,000

ESTIMATED TOTAL COST: $3,500,000

The Turkmen Assembly
Chairman

Prof. Dr. Umit Akkoyunlu

END TEXT

9. Action Request and Comment: Hacettepe University is a
prestigious Turkish educational institution. While we defer
to our colleagues in Iraq on the bona fides of the Iraqi
Turkmen Assembly there (reftel), here in Ankara the
organization has presented us with what could be a feasible,
reasonable plan to offer educational opportunities to the
people of Kirkuk. Additionally, this proposal is a tangible
effort by the GOT (Hacettepe is a public university) to
continue its positive outreach to Iraq. We ask that
Washington and Baghdad review the proposal in para. 8
favorably. One possibility we see would be for USAID to fund
the equipment needs outlined in para. 8, while ECA might
consider financial assistance for the Iraqi students who
would come to the U.S. End Action Request and Comment.

10. REOs Kirkuk and Mosul minimize considered.

MCELDOWNEY

© Scoop Media