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AN IRAQI Kurd who left his homeland 25 years ago
is one of two teachers to be awarded a teaching
fellowship at the University of Wales, Bangor.
The recognition is given by the university after
nominations by staff and students for excellence in
teaching and support.
Dr Hussain Omed, who has been unable to
return to Iraq since he came to Bangor as a student
in 1979, feels lucky to have escaped. Just weeks
after his arrival, the political situation in Iraq
changed and he knew he could not go back.
Two of his brothers were imprisoned and murdered by
Saddam Hussein's regime, while a third was later
imprisoned and is presumed dead.
He said, "I lost two brothers who were not at all
political. I had been politically active and so was
very lucky to come to Bangor when I did."
Dr Omed completed his MSc and then went on to
complete a PhD at the university. He began work at
the Centre for Arid Zone studies in 1986 and has
been employed by Bangor ever since.
As well as being course director for the World
Animal Production post-graduate degree, Dr Omed is
overseas liaison officer at the School of
Agriculture and Forest Sciences.
"It is an honour and a privilege to receive a
teaching fellowship and I am amazed and truly
grateful to my colleagues and students for proposing
me," he said.
Although Wales is home now, Dr Omed still feels some
hiraeth or homesickness for his country. To help
with this he visits Llanberis at least once a week,
as the mountains and lakes remind him of his native
Kurdistan.
Dr Jane Rudall of the School of Informatics, has
also been given the award.
She was educated locally at St Gerard's Convent,
Bangor, and decided to return to her native north
Wales after working in America for computer giant
IBM.
She is known for her creative teaching and sits on
the school's staff student liaison committee.
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