University President Attends the Opening Ceremony of the Third Iraq Education Conference
The President of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Professor Dr. Hassan Latif Al-Zubaidi, accompanied by a university delegation, attended the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Iraq Education Conference, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The Minister of Higher Education reaffirmed the commitment to advancing the higher education system, strengthening global partnerships, supporting scientific research and innovation, and aligning educational outcomes with sustainable development priorities.
The delegation comprised the Assistant President of the University for Scientific Affairs, Professor Dr. Ahmed Ghanem Wadai; the Dean of the Higher Institute of Nanotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, Professor Dr. Bashar Jabbar Hamza; the Dean of Babylon Polytechnic College, Assistant Professor Dr. Ali Najah Kadhim; the Dean of the College of Health and Medical Technologies for Medical Rehabilitation; and several directors of relevant departments at the University Presidency.
For his part, His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Haider Bahaa Al-Hassani, emphasized that developing Iraq’s higher education system requires a transition towards a university model that integrates educational quality, rigorous scientific research, and innovation. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening international partnerships and aligning learning outcomes with labor market needs and national development priorities.
These remarks were delivered in his speech at the opening of the third edition of the Iraq Education Conference, held under the theme “From Education to Development: Global Partnerships and Universities Shaping the Future.” The event was attended by the Chair and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, the Head of the Advisory Board, several ministers and officials, and a gathering of academic leaders, experts, specialists, and prominent Iraqi and international scholars.
The Minister explained that the conference provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and perspectives, broaden the scope of institutional cooperation, and establish strategic partnerships that contribute to advancing the higher education system and strengthening the presence of Iraqi universities at regional and international academic forums.
He further noted that the Ministry’s vision is based on consolidating the concept of the productive university by supporting applied scientific research, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening partnerships between universities and the public and private sectors, developing scientific and technological incubators, and aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs and sustainable development requirements.
The Minister also stressed the importance of placing students at the heart of the educational process by providing an integrated university environment, modern academic programs, and equitable opportunities for learning, training, and professional development. He emphasized the need to cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and scientific research skills, while strengthening students’ digital and practical competencies to prepare graduates for the evolving demands of the labor market.
Furthermore, the Minister underscored the necessity of developing the capabilities of academic staff, updating curricula and academic programs, consolidating quality assurance and academic accreditation standards, expanding digital transformation, and strengthening institutional governance. He also emphasized the importance of engaging with leading international experiences while preserving national identity and established scientific and academic principles.
The Ministry’s Deputy Minister for Scientific Research Affairs, Professor Dr. Haider Abdul Dhahd, delivered a presentation entitled “From the Skills Gap to the Knowledge Economy.” The presentation addressed the requirements for aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs, developing research and specialized skills, and enhancing the role of universities in building a knowledge- and innovation-based economy.
The conference program includes sessions addressing a range of scientific and specialized themes, including vocational and technical education in Iraq; the internationalization of education through transnational education and global partnerships; learning outcomes and their relationship to the labor market; and scientific research in Iraq within a national vision grounded in development priorities, alongside intelligent digital transformation in higher education.
The sessions also examine the role of international organizations in improving learning outcomes, environmental sustainability and scientific research in support of a sustainable environment in Iraq, as well as investment and strategic partnerships in educational projects. These themes aim to strengthen integration between educational institutions and development stakeholders and promote the application of knowledge and scientific research to address national challenges.
The conference also featured speeches by Professor Jim Burkey, President of Saint Leo University in the United States, and Dr. Salman Al-Rawaf, Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre with Imperial College London.
The event further included the screening of a documentary film highlighting the stages of development of education in Iraq.
The third edition of the Iraq Education Conference continues over two days through scientific sessions and specialized discussions aimed at exchanging expertise and experiences, broadening opportunities for international academic cooperation, and strengthening partnerships among universities, government institutions, the private sector, and international organizations. These efforts seek to translate visions and initiatives into practical programs that contribute to the development of higher education and support the national economy.
On the sidelines of the conference, His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Haider Bahaa Al-Hassani, inaugurated the Iraqi Higher Education Exhibition, which brought together Iraqi, Arab, and international universities to explore opportunities for academic cooperation, exchange expertise, and expand scientific and institutional partnerships. The exhibition aims to keep pace with developments in higher education and open new avenues for communication and collaboration among university institutions.
