Iraqi college gets $2.5M upgrade

KUT, Iraq, March 27 (UPI) -- A U.S. reconstruction team working in Iraq's Wasit province funded an engineering college to support Iraq's need for qualified workers to rebuild the country.

The provincial government in Wasit increased its budget to support engineering projects, but the eastern province faces an obstacle with the limited number of qualified engineers, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The U.S. team worked with the Wasit Resident Engineer office and private-sector Iraqi engineers to develop an engineering program at Wasit University to develop a pool of qualified engineers.

U.S. officials said the program focused on boosting the capabilities of mid-career professionals in a range of topics, including mechanical design and solid-waste management.

The U.S. team provided $2.5 million to build four new laboratories at the college, including a soils lab and computer facility.

The college plans to offer graduates an internship program in a variety of engineering programs, including positions with the Army Corps of Engineers.