Professor Dr. Hassan Shakir Majid, President of University of Al-Mustaqbal, chaired the first meeting of the University Council for the 2026–2027 academic year, in the presence of council members, including assistant presidents, college deans, and department heads. The meeting addressed a number of academic and administrative matters on the agenda and established key priorities for the new academic year. The President opened the meeting by extending his warmest welcome and congratulations to faculty members, academic staff, and students on the commencement of the new academic year, wishing everyone a year filled with achievement, success, and academic excellence. The meeting also included congratulations to the participating students and the Student Activities Division on achieving first place at the national level among Iraqi private universities and colleges. The Council commended this achievement as a reflection of the University’s excellence across various fields and activities. During the meeting, the President emphasized a set of academic and administrative directives, including the importance of maintaining regular classes and activities from the first day, expediting the announcement of academic schedules, activating student activities, and supporting student talents. The directives also emphasized placing students at the center of the educational process, preparing them for labor-market requirements, strengthening awareness and a sense of belonging, and enhancing the University’s role in serving the community. The meeting further emphasized supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, utilizing digital transformation and artificial intelligence to advance the educational process, and expanding international academic and research partnerships. The Council discussed several key items on its agenda, including the approval of the academic calendar and weekly schedules for the new academic year, with classes commencing on Sunday, 20 September 2026, as well as the academic and administrative preparations for the start of the academic year. The Council also discussed the results of the second-round examinations and arrangements for their announcement. It emphasized the implementation of the Student Information System (SIS) and the electronic governance framework approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, together with the organization of urgent training workshops to ensure effective implementation and compliance with the approved registration procedures. The Council also addressed the organization of tuition payments into four installments. The first installment, amounting to 25% of the annual tuition fee, is scheduled to be paid from 15 to 30 September, with the relevant administrative procedures applied to students who do not comply with the approved payment requirements. The Council reviewed admission rates and regulations outlined in the admission guide issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and approved the tuition fees for the 2026–2027 academic year. Regarding internationalization and postgraduate studies, the Council commended the student training experience at the University of the West of England (UWE), while also following up on postgraduate studies, recent international visits, and efforts to expand international academic and research partnerships. The Council also reviewed the minutes of college councils, followed up on ministerial correspondence and directives, and addressed relevant legal and administrative matters. At the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Dr. Hassan Shakir Majid called upon college deanships and academic and administrative staff to intensify their efforts and work collectively as one team, building on the achievements accomplished during the previous academic year as a foundation for further progress and greater success. He reaffirmed that University of Al-Mustaqbal is moving forward with confidence to strengthen its position as a distinguished academic institution and to contribute highly qualified scientific and professional graduates to society. University of Al-Mustaqbal The First University in Iraq