College of Education ibn Rushd for Humanities
Encyclopedia of Distinguished Alumni of the Iraqi Higher Teachers’ House
Encyclopedia of Distinguished Alumni of the Iraqi Higher Teachers’ House
This comprehensive encyclopedia honors the distinguished alumni of the Iraqi Higher Teachers’ House, a pivotal institution in the country’s educational landscape. The compilation, initiated by Dr. Alawi Sader Jaz’a, Dean of College of Education Ibn Rushd for Human Sciences, as part of the college’s diamond jubilee celebrations, showcases the remarkable contributions of its graduates. The encyclopedia features biographical profiles of numerous prominent figures who studied at the college, spanning various scientific and literary fields. These individuals, who have significantly shaped Iraq’s intellectual and cultural heritage, continue to inspire researchers and scholars through their works and achievements.
The encyclopedia serves as a tribute to the legacy of these esteemed alumni, their dedication to their profession, and their unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge and education in Iraq. It offers valuable insights into their lives, accomplishments, and the enduring impact they have had on the nation’s development. By highlighting the diverse range of individuals who have been associated with the Iraqi Higher Teachers’ Institute, the encyclopedia not only celebrates Iraqi scholars but also recognizes the contributions of Arab and foreign professors who have taught at the institution. It also sheds light on the lives of lesser-known figures, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the college’s rich history and the individuals who have shaped it.
Introduction
The Higher Teachers’ House in Iraq stands as one of the oldest educational institutions in the country, predated only by the faculties of Law and Engineering. Established in 1923, following the formation of the Iraqi state, it was the first institution dedicated to natural and human sciences. Its profound impact on Iraqi society during the monarchy is undeniable, as it played a pivotal role in the nation’s scientific, cultural, political, and social development. Over the decades, the college produced generations of distinguished graduates who excelled in various fields, including politics, philosophy, science, literature, art, and education. These alumni have left an enduring legacy on Iraq, contributing significantly to the nation’s intellectual and cultural life.
The faculty members of the Higher Teachers’ Institute, which was renamed College of Education Ibn Rushd in 1958, were pioneers in their respective fields. They not only played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining the college but also assumed leadership positions within the Iraqi government and contributed to the founding of numerous universities and educational institutions across the country. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in shaping Iraq’s educational landscape.
Yvonne Augé Adamon al-Bassîr
Yvonne Augé Adamon was born in 1905 in the French city of Vizoul. She married Dr. Muhammad Mahdi al-Bassîr while he was studying in Paris. In 1950, she was appointed as a French language teacher at the Higher Teachers' Institute in Baghdad. Undoubtedly, she was a great support to Dr. al-Bassîr, both during his studies in Paris and throughout his career at the college. She passed away in 1989 and was buried in Najaf, Iraq, alongside her husband
Ibrahim Shukut
Considered one of the most prominent professors at the Higher Teachers’ Institute, Ibrahim Shukut was a nationalist geographer. Born in Baghdad in 1909, he completed his primary, intermediate, and secondary education there in 1931. He joined the Higher Teachers’ Institute and graduated in 1928. On October 1, 1936, he began his teaching career in secondary schools. Shukut was involved in the Arab nationalist movement and supported the May 1941 revolution. Following its failure, he was dismissed from his position. Thereafter, he dedicated himself to geographical research and cartography.
Bakiza Rafik Hilmi
A historian, Bakiza Rafik Hilmi was born in Sulaimaniyah in 1924. She completed her primary studies in 1937, intermediate studies in Al-A'zamiyah in 1940, and secondary education at the Central Preparatory School in Baghdad in 1943. She then pursued her studies at the Higher Teachers' Institute, earning a Bachelor's degree in Arts with honors in 1948. Hilmi continued her education at Clark University and Harvard University in the United States, obtaining a Master's degree in Linguistics in 1951.
Bader Shaker al-Sayyab
Considered a pioneer of free verse and a leading figure in the modern Arabic poetry movement, Bader Shaker al-Sayyab was born in the village of Jikour near Abu al-Khasib in Basra in 1926. Despite facing personal tragedies, including the loss of his mother at a young age and his father's remarriage, al-Sayyab became one of the most influential poets in the Arab world. His poetry often explored themes of suffering, alienation, and the human condition.
Ihsan al-Mallakah
Ihsan Sadeq Jaafar Jawad al-Mallakah was born in Baghdad in 1925. Her father was a writer and poet, and her mother, Salma Abdul Razzaq, was also a poet. Her sister was the renowned free verse poet, Nazik al-Mallakah. Ihsan completed her primary education in Baghdad and then enrolled in the Higher Teachers' Institute, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Arabic language and literature in 1949. While studying at the Higher Teachers' College, she also obtained a preliminary certificate in English from the University of Cambridge through correspondence. Her husband was the visual artist Ali al-Shalan, and her eldest son, Nizar, is a poet and translator for the BBC.
Ahmad Hassan al-Zayyat
Considered one of the foremost figures of modern Arabic literature and criticism, Ahmad Hassan al-Zayyat was born on April 2, 1885, in the village of Kafr Dimir al-Qadim in the Talha district of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. His parents were rural folk; his father was a descendant of an Egyptian family known for their piety and religious devotion, tracing their lineage back to Sheikh Mujahid, who had a shrine. His mother was of Hijazi origin, her family having migrated to Medina before settling in Talha, where they were known as the "Madani family." Ahmad Hassan al-Zayyat began his Quranic studies at the age of five, completing memorization and recitation by the age of ten. He then enrolled at Al-Azhar University between the ages of twelve and thirteen, where he spent ten years studying Arabic language, Islamic law, history, and literature.
Adiba Ibrahim Rafat
A prominent social activist since the early 1940s, Adiba Ibrahim Rafat was born in Basra in 1918. She completed her preparatory studies in 1937 and began her teaching career on October 2, 1937. Rafat joined the Higher Teachers' Institute in Baghdad as one of the first eight female students in the 1937-1938 academic year. She graduated with honors in the Social Sciences Department, specializing in Education and Psychology, in 1942. In July 1949, she became the principal of an elementary teachers' college. Rafat was instrumental in establishing and managing a nursery and kindergarten in Baghdad in 1956, and she also opened a private preschool for children in the same year.
Bashir al-Lous
A zoologist, Bashir al-Lous was born in Mosul in 1905 and completed his secondary education there in 1924. He earned a Bachelor's degree from the Higher Teachers' Institute in Baghdad in 1931 and a Master's degree in Zoology from the University of Michigan in the United States in 1952. Al-Lous taught at the secondary level for thirty years and also worked as a lecturer at the College of Science at the University of Baghdad. He is credited with establishing the Natural History Museum in 1947 and served as its director. After the establishment of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1989, the Natural History Museum was affiliated with it, and al-Lous became a professor at the college.
Ahmad Naji al-Qaissi
A distinguished scholar of Arabic grammar and a prominent professor of Oriental literature, Ahmad Naji bin Abdul Razzaq bin Safar Agha al-Qaissi was born in Baghdad in 1919. He completed his primary, intermediate, and secondary education in Baghdad in 1942. Subsequently, he enrolled at the Higher Teachers' Institute in Baghdad, graduating with first-class honors in Arabic language in 1944. He was then appointed as a lecturer at the same institution. Furthering his studies at the University of Tehran, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts in 1953, followed by a Master's degree in Persian Literature in 1954. He continued his academic journey at Cairo University, where he obtained a PhD in Oriental Literature with first-class honors in 1965.
Ahmad Haqi al-Hilli
An expert in the philosophy of education, Ahmad Haqi al-Hilli was born in the city of Hilla in 1914. He began his formal education on October 1st, 1929, and earned a doctorate in education from the University of Manchester in Britain in 1948. He held several educational positions, including Director of Curricula, Books, and Examinations at the Ministry of Education on September 5, 1951, and Director of Primary Education on July 14, 1954. He was a member of national forums in the 1930s and contributed research to educational conferences organized by UNESCO. A pioneer in writing children's literature, he also served as an expert at the Iraqi Scientific Society. He passed away in 1996.
Ahmad Abdul Sattar al-Jawari
Born in Baghdad in 1922, Ahmad Abdul Sattar al-Jawari completed his secondary education in 1939 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts from the Higher Teachers' Institute in 1943. He continued his studies at Fouad I University in Egypt, obtaining a First Class Honors Bachelor's degree in Arts in 1945, followed by a Master's degree with distinction in 1947. Upon returning to Iraq, he was appointed as a lecturer at the Higher Teachers' Institute on February 26, 1949. Subsequently, he became the Assistant Dean for Administrative Affairs and held this position until 1950. He then rejoined Cairo University's Faculty of Arts and earned a PhD in 1953.
Ahmad Abdul Baqi
A researcher and translator, Ahmad Abdul Baqi was born in Baghdad in 1917. He enrolled in the Higher Teachers' Institute in Baghdad, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences in 1942. He began his teaching career on October 24, 1939, and later became an inspector in the Ministry of Education on July 31, 1944. In 1953, he was appointed Director of the Budget in the Ministry of Finance, followed by Director of Accounts in the Ministry of Reconstruction in 1956. Subsequently, in 1959, he was appointed Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance.
Ahmad Hassan al-Rahim
A researcher in literature, education, and psychology, Ahmad Hassan al-Rahim was born in the city of Najaf in 1921. He enrolled in the Higher Teachers' College and earned a Bachelor's degree in Arabic language and education in 1947. On September 13th of the same year, he began his career in education. He continued his postgraduate studies in the United States, obtaining a Master's degree in Education and Psychology from George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, followed by a Doctorate in Education from the University of Tennessee.
Ibrahim al-Mazni
A prominent Egyptian writer, Ibrahim bin Muhammad bin Abdul Qadir al-Mazni was born in Cairo in 1889. After graduating from the Teachers' School, he worked as an educator for a period before transitioning to journalism. His success in journalism was fueled by his exceptional writing skills, proficiency in English translation, and a natural talent for storytelling. Al-Mazni gained widespread recognition in the literary world for his humorous and witty writing style, as well as his practical approach to literary criticism. He sought to bridge the gap between traditional and modern literary perspectives in his critical works.
Ibrahim Abdullah Mahi
An educator and psychologist, Ibrahim Mahi was born in 1916. He joined the civil service on October 1, 1936. He completed his graduate studies at Columbia University in the United States, earning a PhD in Psychology in 1952. He was appointed as a lecturer at the Higher Teachers' Institute in Baghdad on May 20, 1952. In 1956, he was among a group of university professors who submitted a memorandum to King Faisal II, calling on the Iraqi government to support Egypt during the Tripartite Aggression, dismiss the government, and establish a democratic system.