The University of Basrah (Arabic: جامعة البصرة, Jami'at Al Basrah‎) is situated in the city of Basra, Iraq. For historic reasons the final -h is retained on Basrah in the name of the university. Founded in 1964 to meet the needs of southern Iraq, the University of Basrah was at first affiliated with the University of Baghdad, but in 1964 it became an independent body. Today the University consists of fourteen colleges located on three campuses around the city of Basra, with research facilities and student halls of residence (dormitories). The University awards the degrees of BA, BSc, Higher Diploma, MA, MSc and PhD. The university is composed of 14 colleges: The University conducts research through the following research centres: There is also the Desalination Unit (affiliated with the College of Engineering), the Natural History Museum, the Haemoglobinopathy Unit, the Internet Resources Centre, the Central Library, and a Publishing house.