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AUIB enrollment up 32 percent, president tells summer convocation
Dr. Bradley Cook reports a 93 percent retention rate and says the university is "going global" despite a difficult year.
Waraq News Desk · Wednesday, August 19
1 min read
BAGHDAD — Student enrollment at the American University of Iraq – Baghdad grew by 32 percent, and the university retains 93 percent of its students, President Dr. Bradley Cook told faculty and staff at the Summer Convocation, the university reported on August 19, 2026.
The convocation took place as faculty returned from the summer break to prepare for the new academic year. Dr. Cook called the retention figure "a remarkable rate" compared with long-established universities.
He opened with the saying that "ships are safe in their harbor," asking whether universities are needed most in hard times. "Every original story isn't easy… we're in that original phase," he said. "Even with everything, what a remarkable year it has been… a year we can be proud of."
Dr. Cook said the university would keep developing its programs, international partnerships and recruitment despite regional volatility, describing AUIB as "going global" and "investing in the student experience." He pointed to work on student mental health, facilities for students with physical disabilities, and public services such as those offered by the College of Dentistry. No new programs were announced.
Waraq's News Desk compiled this report in October 2026 from the source below, with the help of an AI writing tool.
Source
First published in Waraq. The author keeps the copyright.