A delegation from the University of Baghdad, led by the Rector of the University of Baghdad, Prof.Dr. Munir Hameed Al-Saadi, visited the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. This took place during the University of Baghdad’s delegation’s visit to France, with the presence of representatives from the French Ministry of Higher Education and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was attended by Prof.Dr. Ghassan Hameed AbdulMajeed, Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Raed Falih Hassan, Dean of the College of Science, and Prof.Dr. Inas Khalifa Al-Sharqi, Director of the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations at the University.
The purpose of this visit was to discuss ways to foster scientific and academic cooperation. Emphasis was placed on the importance of establishing genuine and strategic partnerships with prestigious French universities. Proposed action plans and a roadmap were developed to strengthen collaboration in both academic and research domains. The focus was on creating effective cooperative ties with French universities ranked among the top 100 in the Shanghai Ranking and other international rankings.
The delegation also held a meeting with the institution (France Campus), the highest scientific institution operating under the auspices of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, discussions took place on enhancing the international publishing of joint research, exchanging visits by professors, and developing training plans for students at French universities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Additionally, there was an agreement on jointly supervising postgraduate students, and it was decided that the French side would provide 60 fully-funded scholarships until the year 2026 for outstanding Iraqi students.
An invitation has been formally extended to the French Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to participate in the Green Education Conference scheduled to be held in February 2024 at the University of Baghdad. Additionally, there is encouragement for French universities to send French students as part of the “Study in Iraq” initiative. It is noteworthy this visit reflects the commitment of the university to strengthen international cooperation and reinforce ties with reputable global universities. This contributes to elevating the standards of education and scientific research, serving the educational process, and benefiting Iraq.
