The education sessions were chaired by Professor Mohammed Al Uzri, with updates in the field of higher education and scientific research presented by Dr. Hazim Al Zubaidi, Director of the Government Program at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR). The key highlights included:

 

– Amendments to the Higher Education Law , which now incorporate the establishment of technology and scientific incubators. These incubators aim to build an integrated entrepreneurial community by supporting innovative ideas and turning them into productive projects and companies that operate within a knowledge-based economy driven by science and technology. Universities have also been granted the authority to establish private sector companies , and work is underway to develop regulations for the amended law.

 

– Adoption of the Bologna Process: The process, which drives comparability in quality and standards in higher education, has been initiated with two colleges, with plans to expand its application to more universities. There are ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education in both public and private universities, one of the key strategies being the introduction of a national exam, as well as working on raising the international ranking of Iraqi universities.

 

– Significant Support for Private Universities: The Ministry of Higher Education believes that private education represents the future of higher education in Iraq. Currently, Iraq has 74 private institutions and 35 public universities , and the number of university students is expected to reach 1 million by 2030. Private universities have also been granted the authority to sign memoranda of understanding with international universities.

 

– Revitalization of Master’s and PhD Scholarship Programs: A total of 5,000 scholarships have been allocated. The selection of candidates will be based on academic merit, with the process requiring collaboration with British universities. These programs also involve continuous professional development for university professors through exchange programs, training, and development initiatives aimed at reducing the gap between graduate outcomes and labor market requirements. The ministry is also committed to advancing scientific research in alignment with the country’s strategic plan.

 

British universities were invited to participate in a major education exhibition scheduled for October. Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, expressed his interest in attending. British universities that are members of the (IBBC), such as Newcastle University and Queen Mary University, have also expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation with Iraq in areas such as scholarships , curriculum development, and training programs.

 

International Secondary Education Success:

 

Mr. Raed Mahmoud (SABIS) presented the success of international education programs for secondary school students. He highlighted the high-quality education provided, which has qualified students to pursue higher education at prestigious global universities and excel in their professional careers. Several proposals were shared for further development and enhancement, including increasing the number of Iraqi students pursuing undergraduate degrees at British universities.