by Mahdi Abdullah Murad AUI-S Voice Staff Reporter
The AUIS students were the first of first in experiencing the most advanced technology.
The US Task Force for Business and Stability Operation, which focuses on the economic development in both Iraq and Afghanistan, is currently working in providing a cutting-edge technology within AUI-S that is called MobiCash.
From now on, you can transfer money, make payments, and buy minutes without leaving your home through mobile banking. You don’t need to know how much money you need for the entire day when you leave your home. Also, you do not need to be worry about the cash you carry with yourself.
“The concept of MobiCash,” said David Thurmond, who is the project manager of the MobiCash for the Amrican University of Iraq-Sulaimani. “is to bring together consumers and vendors performing daily transaction through their mobile phones. What we are doing is using a technology that the overwhelming majority of people currently use on a daily basis, mobile phones, and integrating it with banking and monetary transactions. So, we are trying to help improve people’s familiarity with banks, and we are doing this through MobiCash.”
AUI-S is the first and the only university in Iraq that is currently experiencing this new technology.
“AUI-S was selected for the initial introduction of this technology” said Thurmond. “because of its excellent reputation and because of the high level of regional economic stability. I see this is one of the areas primed for economic growth and advancement. This is the perfect location for this technology to be introduced. AUIS is, what I feel, to be the a critical component of the change in the Kurdish region because its students are eager to learn, and capable of spreading the word of this new technology. Once we have established that program within AUI-S, it could be an example for the other universities in Erbil, in Baghdad, and throughout Iraq.”
The AUI-S students welcomed the program warmly, and they were first of first in experiencing this most advanced technology. Practically, some of the AUIS students had already paid their tuitions via MobiCash. Several thousands of dollars were transferred to AUIS at the same exact time with no problems. No more waiting in lines.
“I believe Mobicash is a unique program,” said Dara Ali, 23, from Rania. “it can be defined as a new method to modernize this region. It is interesting when you have no money in your pockets and you’re still be able to purchase your necessities by using your cell phone.”
Ali added he found the program very exciting especially when he paid his tuition through this new technology.
“It was amazing and so quick,” he said. "when I paid my tuition throw my cell phone. I came to the idea to pay my tuition by using this program because I really believe and trust the program. It is a program that we can depend on. I really encourage all the AUI-S students to sign up for this new and unique program.”
“This new technology will make life easier,” said Tamam Omer, 23, from Baghdad. “in a way that the students can pay their tuition, do purchasing, transfer money, and buy minutes without carrying cash in their pockets. It is an interesting program and I am really happy to have this program here. I am really optimistic about the extension of the program, especially at AUI-S and in Iraq generally.”
The US Task Force Office is going to sponsor two students in order to send them for Kenya to address their experience about the program.
“One of the opportunities that is provided by my office is,” added Thurmond. “for the students to go with us to Kenya to speak in a conference about mobile banking. Right now we are working to send two students. They will address the conference about how they feel after change the system will bring here, in Kurdistan and also in Iraq.”
For now, Asia Cell is the only company that they connect the project with, but they are trying to involve the other companies to extend the program, too.
“We had a conversation with Zain in the past.” added Thurmond. “We worked with Zain, but we have not been able to come to an agreement, yet. Right now Asia Cell is the only one for this technology, but we will be talking with Korek, as well, to join in our efforts.”
Thurmond assured people from the safety of both the program, Asia Cell, Bank of Baghdad, and Ashur Bank.
[This technology] helps the customer not to be worry about the cash he carries on,” he said. ‘it is protected through the bank. It is protected throw the mobile company’s technology. So, it is not something easily compromised. Bank of Baghdad and Ashur Bank are well established banks. They are not new to the business. They have been doing business for a long time. We are making sure that [Bank of Baghdad and Ashur Bank] are both safe and secure institutions.”
Thurmond added that the purpose behind providing this program was to create an environment that had an economic stability.
“Our objective is to create an environment that induces prosperity for businesses and opportunity for investors to come and see the country has created an economically stable environment.” he said.
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