As part of its active engagement in national discussions on higher education development, Professor Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision at Al-Mustaqbal University, participated in a panel discussion entitled “Academic Programs that Develop the Country’s Institutions and Support Society.” The session was held during the third edition of the Iraq Education Conference 2026, bringing together academic leaders, experts, and higher education specialists. Moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Hazim Abdul-Razzaq, Director General of the Directorate of Studies, Planning and Follow-up, the session examined the role of academic programs in advancing public institutions and the private sector, aligning educational outcomes with national development priorities and labor market needs, and anticipating the disciplines and skills required for Iraq’s future economy. In his contribution, Al-Zuhairi outlined Al-Mustaqbal University’s vision for academic program development in Iraq. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing high-quality programs informed by institutional needs, skills gaps, and development priorities to improve institutional performance and strengthen service to society. He explained that integrating applied education, polytechnic programs, digital transformation, and modern technologies presents a strategic opportunity to prepare graduates with practical expertise, particularly in energy, water, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, and institutional management, alongside health and technology fields. He also highlighted priority academic areas, including automation and industrial maintenance, electrical and renewable energy, water and wastewater treatment, smart agriculture, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, construction and infrastructure technologies, medical equipment, and health informatics, as well as quality management, institutional excellence, project management, and performance indicators. Al-Zuhairi stressed the importance of establishing effective partnerships with ministries, government institutions, and private companies, while involving employers in curriculum design, practical training, and the identification of required skills. Such collaboration would improve graduate employment prospects and reinforce the university’s role as a productive institution responsive to society’s priorities. He further emphasized the need for a flexible academic system that responds to economic and technological changes and keeps pace with national development, digital transformation, and the green economy, amid growing demand for digital skills and sustainable technologies. This participation reflects Al-Mustaqbal University’s commitment to advancing higher education and proposing academic approaches that address Iraq’s needs, strengthen the integration of knowledge and practice, and place community service and sustainable development at the heart of its institutional mission. Al-Mustaqbal University The First University in Iraq