HAYWARD -- In a further expansion of its global presence and perspective, Cal State Hayward officials want to help American-occupied Iraq rebuild its higher education system.

The university has answered the call from the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is looking for a handful of American universities to partner with their Iraqi colleagues.

The $30 million program, with a possibility of two one-year extensions, will give $3 million to $5 million to as many as six universities nationwide. Cal State Hayward's application calls for $5.8 million, $4.9 million of which comes from the grant. The university would kick in the rest with in-kind donations.

The thrust of Cal State Hayward's program relies on communications through the computer or telephone and sending Iraqi students and professors to study in California.

The federal agency is expected to name the chosen universities within weeks, spokesman Luke Zahner said.

"Education is one of the core priorities of the U.S. government on the ground in Iraq right now," he said.

For a number of reasons, Cal State Hayward is a strong candidate for the job, said Jim Kelly, the university's associate vice president for continuing and international education. "We really have a global perspective. Some places say they do, but the unique thing about Hayward is that we really do," Kelly said.

He's referring to the school's high percentage of international students. Of the school's more than 13,000 enrollment, more than 9 percent come here from around the world. That is almost twice the average among the 23 California State Universities and a far cry from the nationwide average of 3.6 percent.

Cal State Hayward also has one of the highest percentage of Muslim students among the California State Universities.

"The services that we provide are very sensitive to these groups," Kelly said, noting the campus prayer room.

In addition, the college has branched out worldwide with graduate business programs in five locations -- Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Vienna and Moscow.

"No other Cal State offers as many international business programs in all these locations. Nationwide, not even Chicago or Wharton have the (same) number of (international) programs," he said.

Locally, Hayward professors teach courses live on Friday nights to students in Tokyo, where it's Saturday morning, Kelly said. And in November, Kelly recruited in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. Cal State Hayward was the only university represented because all other American universities pulled out.

Drawing on its international background, Cal State Hayward has offered a six-pronged approach to reviving Iraqi's university system, once exemplary in the Middle East.

The university's proposal includes the following:

The university would establishing Educational Enterprise Centers in the country's three regions. The purpose is to offer technical assistance for students and staff interested in studying in the United States. Cal State Hayward also would create an "Iraqi Desk" devoted to helping to guide people through the paperwork.

Iraqi professors and students would receive scholar-ships to study in California. They could go to any Cal State campus or Claremont Graduate University that best suits their needs. Cal State Hayward would act more like a portal, providing the help with all the paperwork.

Forty Iraqis could participate in two summer institutes that would help Iraqi academics develop university programs in public administration and social welfare.

The university would have a nationwide cadre of Iraqi Americans on hand to assist Iraqis. As consultants, these 11 experts, with various specialities, speak Arabic and would be available via e-mail, fax or telephone.

As one of the few universities offering a master's degree in online teaching and learning, Cal State Hayward would train Iraqis to teach online. The Cal State Hayward Web page also would publish a new academic journal in Arabic and English.

Five Iraqi faculty members will train for one year on how to run a public television program. During that time, the trainees also will develop a bi-monthly program to air in Iraq.

If Cal State Hayward is invited to participate, the campus would enjoy a new level of international prominence. "It would really make us cutting-edge. If you look at the amount of time that our national news spent on Iraq, it would put us at the centerfold in what's going on in the world," he said.