Al-Mustaqbal University has achieved a new distinguished academic milestone, adding to its record of scientific accomplishments, following the announcement of the 2026 University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP) results, one of the world's leading university rankings that evaluates institutions based on academic performance and research productivity. The university maintained its first-place position among private universities and colleges in Iraq for the third consecutive year, following its top ranking in the 2024 and 2025 editions. This achievement reflects the university’s continued academic excellence and the success of its strategic vision aimed at advancing scientific research and enhancing the quality of higher education. At the national level, Al-Mustaqbal University secured third place among all Iraqi universities, both public and private, reaffirming its position as one of the country's leading higher education institutions in the fields of education and scientific research. Internationally, the university recorded a remarkable advancement in this year's ranking, climbing 294 positions compared to the previous edition. This significant progress reflects the rapid growth in the quality, impact, and visibility of its scientific output, as well as the expansion of its international academic and research collaborations. The URAP World Ranking primarily evaluates universities based on academic performance and research achievements, relying on data documented in the global databases of Clarivate Analytics. Its assessment criteria include the number of published scientific papers, citation impact, overall research productivity, and international collaborative research activities. The university presidency emphasized that this achievement is the result of the continuous efforts of its academic, research, and administrative staff, and demonstrates the institution’s commitment to meeting international academic standards while strengthening Iraq’s presence in global scientific and academic forums. This accomplishment aligns with Al-Mustaqbal University’s vision of achieving institutional and academic excellence and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), contributing to the development of a knowledge-based society capable of innovation and global competitiveness. Al-Mustaqbal University – the first university in Iraq.