His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Haider Bahaa Al-Hasani, affirmed that developing Iraq’s higher education system requires a transition to a university model that combines quality of education with rigorous scientific research and innovation, strengthens international partnerships, and links learning outcomes to labor market needs and national development priorities.
He made these remarks in his speech at the opening of the proceedings of the third edition of the Education in Iraq Conference, held under the slogan “From Education to Development: Global Partnerships and Universities That Shape the Future.” The conference was attended by the Chair and members of the Parliamentary Education Committee, the Head of the Advisory Board, a number of ministers and officials, and with the participation of academic leaders, experts, specialists, and scientific and international figures.
His Excellency the Minister explained that the conference represents an opportunity to exchange expertise and perspectives, expand the prospects of institutional cooperation, and build strategic partnerships that contribute to developing the higher education system and strengthening the presence of Iraqi universities in regional and international academic forums.
His Excellency 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 linking educational outcomes to labor market needs and sustainable development requirements.
The Minister of Higher Education stressed the importance of placing the student at the heart of the educational process and providing an integrated university environment, modern academic programs, and fair opportunities for learning, training, and development. He also stressed developing critical thinking, creativity, and research skills and strengthening digital and practical capabilities, so as to qualify graduates for the evolving requirements of the labor market.
The Minister further emphasized the need to develop the capabilities of faculty members, update curricula and academic programs, consolidate quality and academic accreditation standards, expand digital transformation, and strengthen institutional governance, while remaining open to leading international experiences and preserving national identity and scientific and academic constants.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry for Scientific Research Affairs, Prof. Dr. Haider Abd Dhahd, gave a presentation titled “From the Skills Gap to the Knowledge Economy.” It addressed the requirements for aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs, developing research and specialized skills, and strengthening the role of universities in building an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
The conference includes sessions to discuss a range of scientific and specialized themes. These cover vocational and technical education in Iraq; the strategy of internationalizing education through transnational education, global partnerships, and learning outcomes and their relationship to the labor market; scientific research in Iraq according to a national vision based on development priorities; and intelligent digital transformation in higher education.
The conference sessions also address the role of international organizations in developing learning outcomes; the environment, sustainability, and scientific research for a sustainable environment in Iraq; and investment and strategic partnerships in education projects. These aim to strengthen integration between educational institutions and development bodies and to support the use of knowledge and scientific research in addressing national challenges. The conference also featured speeches by the President of Saint Leo University in the United States, Prof. Jim Burke, and the Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre at Imperial College London, Dr. Salman Al-Rawaf.
The events also included the screening of a documentary film on the stages of the development of education in Iraq.
The proceedings of the third edition of the Education in Iraq Conference continue over two days through scientific sessions and specialized dialogues aimed at exchanging expertise and experiences, expanding the prospects of international academic cooperation, strengthening partnerships among universities, government institutions, the private sector, and international organizations, and turning visions and initiatives into practical programs that contribute to developing higher education and supporting the national economy.
On the sidelines of the conference, His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Haider Bahaa Al-Hasani, opened the Iraqi Higher Education Exhibition, with the participation of Iraqi, Arab, and international universities, to explore opportunities for academic cooperation and exchange of expertise and to expand areas of scientific and institutional partnership, in keeping with developments in higher education and opening new horizons for communication among university institutions.
