The donation will fund Nahrein’s work for the next decade.
UCL’s president and provost Dr Michael Spence said it was “a seminal moment in the decolonisation of knowledge production in Iraq and other regions in the Global South”.
The Nahrein Network has until now been funded by the UK Research and Innovation Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Global Challenges Research Fund.
UCL’s head of history, Prof Eleanor Robson, said ancient Mesopotamia had only really been the subject of academic interest since the 19th century, with most studies coming from a western perspective.
“This outstandingly generous donation will help transcend barriers associated with a fragile, post-conflict state and ensure Iraqis can reclaim their ancient heritage as local history – with all the social, cultural, economic and educational benefits that can bring,” she said.
3 February 2021 UCL has received a donation of more than £11m for research and teaching on the history, heritage and languages of Mesopotamia, the ancient ‘land between two rivers’ that is now home to modern day Iraq, Northern Syria and Eastern Turkey.
The gift will fund both Iraqi led research to create economic and social benefits for local communities and a dedicated new UK hub at UCL for Ancient Middle Eastern Languages.
It will build on the activities of the UCL led Nahrein Network, which takes a new approach to education and research on heritage, history and the humanities in Iraq and neighbouring countries.