Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, and under the supervision of the President of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Dr. Hassan Latif Al-Zubaidi, in cooperation with the Women’s Affairs Department at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Iraqi Women’s Festival was launched on the occasion of Iraqi Women’s Day.
The festival took place at Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University and was organized by the Women’s Affairs Division at the university’s presidency.
The event was attended by the Turkish Consul General, Jaafar Olcay Karakash, along with several presidents of public and private universities, vice presidents, deans of the university’s formations, the executive director of the Tawasol Organization, the director of the Najaf Chamber of Industry, as well as directors of private sector companies, university department heads, professors, staff, and graduating students.
The festival commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the Iraqi national anthem, and a moment of silence in honor of Iraq’s martyrs.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, the University President delivered a welcome address, extending congratulations to Iraqi women on their national day, recognizing their legacy of sacrifices and achievements.
Highlights from the Speech of Dr. Hassan Latif Al-Zubaidi:
• He conveyed the greetings of the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, who has been a strong supporter of women’s empowerment in education and culture. One of the prominent initiatives in this regard is the sponsorship of the Iraqi Creativity Festival dedicated to women, reflecting the leadership’s confidence in the need to unleash women’s potential and showcase their innovations in building the nation and transmitting knowledge across generations.
• He emphasized the active role of women at the university, highlighting their ability to be at the forefront in teaching, administration, and scientific research.
• He noted that the “Iraqi Creativity: Challenges and Successes” festival is a pioneering step in embracing women’s talents in science, literature, arts, and innovation.
• He stressed that this festival is not a passing event but part of a national strategy adopted by the university in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education to provide platforms that enhance women’s creative presence and encourage them to transform their ideas into practical applications.
• He pointed out that women’s empowerment at the university goes beyond numbers to actual programs, including scholarships for outstanding female students, leadership and entrepreneurship workshops, and support for female researchers in scientific projects that contribute to addressing societal challenges.
• He affirmed that the university will continue to support every woman aspiring to achieve self-fulfillment and will collaborate with state institutions to ensure that women’s empowerment remains a sustainable approach. He concluded by stating that every Iraqi woman represents a beacon of hope and a driving force toward a promising future.
Festival Exhibition and Participation:
Dr. Al-Zubaidi highlighted that the exhibition featured 35 companies specializing in technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, medicine, and education, offering job opportunities in various fields across all provinces. The exhibition also included the participation of 11 public and private universities.
Speech by Dr. Nada Al-Abidi, Director of the Women’s Affairs Department at the Ministry of Higher Education:
Dr. Nada Al-Abidi congratulated Iraqi women on their day, acknowledging their heroic contributions to building future generations. She mentioned that women constitute 60% of the workforce in the ministry, playing a crucial role in leadership and decision-making.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing the National Plan for Iraqi Women and the executive programs related to the UN Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and the elimination of violence against women, along with raising awareness about women’s rights and their role in society.
She concluded by expressing her gratitude to the university president, all preparatory and scientific committees, women’s affairs unit officials, and university staff for their excellent organization and outstanding performance.
Panel Discussion and Success Stories:
The festival featured a panel discussion led by Ikhlas Razzaq Naham, head of the Women’s Affairs Division at the university presidency, focusing on the role of women in sustainable development, innovation, and national responsibility in facilitating women’s participation in the private sector.
The panel included speakers:
• Dr. Nada Al-Abidi, Director of the Women’s Affairs Department at the Ministry
• Huda Qasim Khazal, Head of the Graduate Support Division at the General Directorate of Industrial Development
• Rafal Zuhair Najm, Director of Equality and Social Inclusion at the World University Service of Canada (Tawasol Project)
• Eng. Hussein Jawad, Head of the Trainee Division at the Department of Labor and Vocational Training in Najaf
• Taha Zaid Ahmed, Director of Aswar Academy, holding a master’s in computer engineering and Artificial Intelligence
Showcasing Women’s Entrepreneurship Success Stories:
The festival also featured inspiring stories of female entrepreneurs, including:
• Raghad Raed Shakir from the University of Mosul
• Noha Mohammed Nouri Al-Moussawi from the University of Kufa (Master’s in Computer Science, Web Systems Programmer, Founder of Green Code Company, Co-founder of Google Developers Team, and Techwomen Ambassador in Najaf)
• Marcel Mohammed Nouman and Zahraa Ammar Kazem from the University of Al-Qadisiyah
• Baraa Qasim Hamza from the University of Babylon
The festival concluded with the recognition and honoring of these success stories.
