Al-Mustaqbal University hosted the fifth meeting of the ministerial committee overseeing the implementation of the **UK–Iraq Academic Bridge Initiative**, reaffirming the University's leading role in promoting the internationalization of higher education and expanding global academic partnerships. The meeting was chaired by **Professor Dr. Alaa Abdul Hassan**, Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chair of the Ministerial Committee. It was attended by **Dr. Richard Sanderson**, Country Director of the **British Council Iraq**, and **Mr. Ammar**, Programme Manager at the British Council. The meeting also brought together members of the ministerial committee and presidents of participating Iraqi public and private universities, including: * **Professor Dr. Safaa Taqi Al-Issawi**, President of Al-Mustansiriyah University * **Professor Dr. Waheed Mahmoud Al-Ibrahimi**, President of the University of Mosul * **Professor Dr. Ameen Ajeel Al-Yasiri**, President of the University of Babylon * **Professor Dr. Alaa Al-Mawla**, President of the University of Kufa * **Professor Dr. Kamal Al-Yasiri**, President of the University of Thi-Qar * **Professor Dr. Alia Abbas Ali Al-Attar**, President of Northern Technical University * **Professor Dr. Jaafar Jaber Jawad**, President of Al-Turath University The meeting was also attended by representatives of the remaining participating universities, including the Middle Technical University, Al-Shaab University, and Al-Maarif University, as well as **Dr. Mowaffaq Sajit**, Director of the Department of International and Arab Organizations at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations. The meeting commenced with opening remarks by **Professor Dr. Alaa Abdul Hassan**, who outlined the Initiative's strategic vision and highlighted the significant achievements and tangible outcomes accomplished since its launch in 2024. He emphasized the importance of further strengthening academic twinning and institutional collaboration between higher education institutions in Iraq and the United Kingdom. In his welcoming address, **Professor Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdy**, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, welcomed the ministerial, academic, and international delegations, expressing the University's pride in hosting this landmark event. He also highlighted the University's remarkable progress and outstanding achievements at both the national and international levels, particularly in global university rankings, programmatic accreditation, and international academic partnerships. The meeting program featured an introductory documentary showcasing Al-Mustaqbal University's advanced infrastructure, academic excellence, and research accomplishments. This was followed by a specialized presentation delivered by the University's Academic Supervisor, **Professor Dr. Mudhafar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi**, who provided an in-depth overview of the University's Memoranda of Understanding and strategic partnerships with leading British institutions—particularly the **University of Nottingham** and the **University of Reading**—within the framework of the UK–Iraq Academic Bridge Initiative. He also presented a number of practical proposals aimed at enhancing the Initiative's implementation mechanisms and expanding opportunities for academic collaboration and knowledge exchange. The session further included a presentation by **Dr. Mowaffaq Samir**, representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Subsequently, the presidents of the participating universities delivered specialized presentations outlining the current status and future prospects of their institutions' collaborations with British universities. The meeting concluded with an open academic discussion and evaluation session, during which participants focused on developing a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen research collaboration and international academic twinning. These efforts are expected to make a significant contribution to enhancing the quality and outcomes of Iraq's higher education and scientific research system. **Al-Mustaqbal University… The First University in Iraq.**