The University of Baghdad hosted the First Festival for Development and Innovation, organized by the Department of Women’s Affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research under the slogan “If You Prepare It.” The event coincided with the celebration of Arabic Language Day, highlighting the Arabic language as a symbol of femininity, reflecting the complementary roles of women and language in building society.
The festival saw the participation of female officials from the women’s units and departments of 89 public and private universities from various Iraqi provinces. The event also featured official participation from Dr. Haider Abdul Dhahid, Deputy Minister of Higher Education for Scientific Affairs, representing the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Prof. Dr. Bahaa Ibraheem Ansaf, President of the University of Baghdad; Dr. Haider Al-Aboudi, Director of the Media and Government Communication Department at the Ministry of Education; and Dr. Nada Al-Abidi, Director of the Department of Women’s Affairs at the Ministry.
The festival included the selection of five universities to receive the Ministry of Education’s award, based on specific criteria, including quality, impact, and creativity in the projects presented. All projects focused on enhancing the role of women in various fields. The event also offered recommendations on the importance of strengthening women’s roles in society’s development by emphasizing creative and developmental aspects, reflecting the Ministry’s vision of supporting women and achieving sustainable empowerment.
During the ceremony honoring several women with remarkable stories, Professor Dr. Bahaa Ibrahim Insaf, President of the University of Baghdad, stated that these efforts align with a vision aimed at strengthening the role of women as key partners in sustainable development. He emphasized that investing in women’s capabilities is a direct investment in the future of society as a whole.
The festival also featured an interactive platform to highlight outstanding women’s success stories, and a call was made to continue collaborative efforts between universities to enhance the role of women in education and society. Additionally, video presentations were shown featuring the success stories of women who continue their academic journeys despite the challenging circumstances they face.
