Another important occasion I cherish is being awarded an honorary doctorate by the National University of Ireland. On March 7, 2023, the university held a large ceremony attended by many education leaders and university professors in Ireland. After arriving at the ceremony hall, I went to the robe room, and after official photos, I entered the hall and ascended the podium, which included the university's chancellor and registrar, along with the presidents and representatives of the universities comprising the National University of Ireland.
I was introduced by my friend Professor Niall English, who gave a brief account of my life and scientific achievements. Upon his conclusion, I was asked to stand before the university's chancellor, Dr. Maurice Manning. After that, the chancellor read the honorary degree citation, the degree was awarded, I received the document, and signed the university register before returning to my seat. The registrar concluded the honorary degree ceremony, followed in the evening by an official reception to welcome and interact with attendees while I was still wearing my official robe. After that, during the dinner, I was invited to give my speech on the occasion, the text of which I would like to include here:
Acceptance Speech for the Honorary Degree
First and foremost, I would like to express my profound gratitude to the National University of Ireland for this honor. At the moment I received the letter informing me of the Senate's decision to grant me this prestigious honor, I felt overwhelming joy. Having been born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, near the majestic River Tigris, and having graduated from the venerable University of Baghdad, this recognition holds a special and significant place in my heart.
I have been tasked with the difficult challenge of addressing you in only three minutes. At first, I must admit that I felt a sense of unease, as it is a great responsibility that cannot be fulfilled in such a short time. However, a useful idea soon crystallized in my mind: why not share with you a few brief historical notes about the emergence of science and knowledge among humans in my homeland? It amazes me that this noble audience may not be aware of them, or may have only limited knowledge of the subject.
So allow me to take you back to ancient times in Iraq, around 4500 BCE, when the Sumerian civilization flourished between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Sumerians were renowned for their remarkable contributions to language, governance, and architecture, and they were incredibly talented people who lived in the land later known as Babylon. In fact, they created what can be considered the first and highly advanced civilization in human history.
Notably, the Sumerians were the first to invent writing—the most important cultural achievement in history. This pioneering development allowed for accurate record-keeping, enabling rulers, farmers, and herders alike to document their endeavors. Over time, the Sumerian form of writing, known as cuneiform, evolved into the modern alphabetical system we all use today. Additionally, they were pioneers of the educational system as we know it today, with their method of "memorization" still prevalent to this day, often referred to as the "rote learning system."
The oldest known written laws date back to 2400 BCE in the city of Ebla. The Code of Ur-Nammu, inscribed on clay tablets, represents a tremendous achievement in constructing an organized and complex legal code. This code is widely recognized as the first of its kind in history. Furthermore, the Sumerians demonstrated tremendous understanding of medicine, using herbs, inventing chemical extraction processes for medicinal substances from natural materials, and possessing advanced knowledge of anatomy and developing many surgical instruments.
Another fascinating aspect of Sumerian civilization is their expertise in hydraulic engineering. From the early stages of their history, they created networks of canals and channels to control floods, became builders of irrigation canals, and harnessed the power of the Tigris and Euphrates for agricultural purposes—canals that were meticulously maintained through various historical dynasties.
The Sumerians' ingenuity in engineering and architecture demonstrated their mastery of mathematics. Notably, their system of timekeeping—with sixty seconds in a minute and sixty minutes in an hour—can be attributed to them. It is noteworthy that the use of the number 60 for minutes has proven much more practical than base-10 and base-100 systems, as it eliminates the need for complex notations when referring to fractions of the day.
In his famous work "History Begins at Sumer," scholar Samuel Kramer explores thirty-nine "firsts" in history that originated with the Sumerians, including:
- The first schools
- The first case of "apple-polishing" (figurative for seeking favor)
- The first "war of nerves"
- The first case of tax reduction
- The first pharmacopoeia
- The first "farmer's almanac"
- The first experiment in planting shade trees
- The first cosmology
- The first literary debates
- The first case of literary borrowing
- The first library catalog
- The first literary images
- The first sex symbol
- The first aquarium
In conclusion, I would like to leave you with a very beautiful Sumerian proverb that captures the essence of the knowledge bestowed by school:
"One enters it with closed eyes, and leaves it with open eyes."
Thank you all for your attention and for granting me this wonderful honor. It is truly an honor to stand before you today.
