ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Fields Medal recipient Caucher Birkar sees the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as better positioned to improve its universities, but some may not pursue studying sciences because they don't see career opportunities.
"Across the four parts of Kurdistan, Kurds in general do not have absolute authority over them and cannot make decisions concerning their fate," said Kurdish mathematician Birkar.
He pointed out that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq because of its autonomy has the ability to shape curricula; whereas, this is not possible in Iran, Syria, and Turkey.
"This is another problem related to politics. But, it is not really the case in the South Kurdistan as there is some sort of relative control and it is them deciding on their affairs," said Birkar.
He was speaking on a panel in London for KURD-AKAD, a network for Kurdish academics.
"As academics, we have no power over politics and these issues cannot be solved by us. We are gathering here to outline what could we do," explained Birkar, the native of Nie in Rojhelat or Iranian Kurdistan.
When he was bestowed the Fields Medal in August, Birkar said the award was a gift to the Kurdish nation.
"In Kurdish culture, studying literature and philosophy has meaning but studying science, natural sciences, mathematics or physics are not of much interest and do not have a significant meaning," he explained.
Kurdish politicians showed an outpouring of support for Birkar in August.
"And even if someone studies those and they do find a job, they will not be able to really understand it," said Birkar.
'Brain drain' has been a tremendous problem for Kurdistan, where the most talented students often go abroad, study, get a job, and obtain another citizenship.
"And thus, these fields at the Kurdistan Region universities have to be at much more advanced levels than they are now," implored Birkar.
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