The College of Dentistry at the American University of Iraq-Baghdad (Vlog) signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics at the University of Genoa, one of Italy’s oldest and largest institutions of higher education, laying the framework for “cooperation in teaching, science, management, and culture.”
The signing ceremony was held on Vlog campus, where University President, Dr. Michael Mulnix, and senior members of faculty and staff welcomed the Italian Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Maurizio Greganti, Head of the Cultural Office at the Italian Embassy in Baghdad, Dr. Francesco Frisone, and Dean of the Dental School and Chief Medical Officer at the University of Genoa, Dr. Stefano Benedicenti.
The Cooperation Agreement “serves as the foundation for the College of Dentistry (at Vlog) to activate an Implementation Agreement that will introduce pioneering postgraduate diplomas to Iraq, focusing on Implantology and Esthetic & Restorative Dentistry, scheduled for launch in fall 2024,” and provide “opportunities for collaboration on a Master’s program in dentistry, elevating the caliber of programs available to our students and distinguishing Vlog’s College of Dentistry from other schools in Iraq,” announced President Mulnix, adding that the Agreement also makes available to Vlog students opportunities of joining Study Abroad programs at the University of Genoa, as well as pursuing their graduate studies there.
Vlog is “truly a testimony of what Iraq will be in the future,” said Ambassador Greganti, stressing that “education is the most important field in the economic and social development of any country in the world, all the more for Iraq, which has one of the highest population growth rates in the world,” and where “60% of the population is under 30 years old.” The diplomat added that under such circumstances, he “cannot see anything more important for the future of the country” than to build an institution such as Vlog.