By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson
41st Fires Brigade
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Local teachers and students from the Open Educational College were recognized for academic excellence during an awards ceremony at the al Kut hotel, July 28.
"Today we are awarding the top students, who have worked day and night to achieve the success that we are recognizing today," said Dr. Ahmed, director of Open Educational College.
"My sincere thanks to the Provincial Council and the director general of education, who have helped us achieve our goals."
Awards and prizes were given to 15 of the college's top students and teachers.
"We commend these teachers for playing a vital role in the reconstruction effort, the peace process, national unity and democracy in Iraq," said Bob Kagler, Wasit PRT Team chief. "Education is a universal human right. It is also a means of achieving other human rights, and it is an empowering social and economic tool."
The Open Educational College was the first educational institution to work with the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team. The partnership has been instrumental in improving the educational opportunities for teachers and students in the Wasit province.
"This college started from sub-zero," said Latif al Turfar, governor of Wasit province. "Because of the effort of Dr. Ahmed, this college is now well-known."
"Thanks to the teachers who serve our community," said Dr. Ali Hanash, Wasit Provincial Council member. "Teachers do their best to open the minds of their students. Our goal is for all teachers of primary schools to have a bachelor's degree."