The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Haider Abdul Dhahed, commended the achievements made in the internationalization of higher education in Iraq, praising the efforts of Iraqi universities in engaging with reputable global academic institutions and enhancing educational quality in line with international standards. This direction comes as part of the strategic transformation adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research since 2023, aimed at modernizing the higher education system and moving away from traditional models through qualitative initiatives that strengthen the global presence of Iraqi universities. Among the most prominent initiatives are the International Twinning Programs (Offshore Programs), which enable Iraqi students to obtain degrees from prestigious international universities while studying inside Iraq, based on internationally accredited academic standards, thereby enhancing graduate competencies and competitiveness. In this context, a significant academic milestone has been achieved with the graduation of the first cohort of Master’s students in Electronics Engineering under the twinning program between Al-Mustaqbal University and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). This achievement represents a tangible outcome of Iraq’s higher education internationalization efforts. The Deputy Minister emphasized that this milestone marks an important step in advancing higher education reform and reflects the success of new educational policies in establishing effective international partnerships that contribute to improving academic program quality and connecting Iraqi universities with their global counterparts. He further stressed the importance of continuing to expand twinning programs and international partnerships to enhance the status of Iraqi higher education and ensure the preparation of graduates equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in both local and global labor markets. He concluded by affirming that these achievements represent a successful model of international academic cooperation and a key step toward strengthening Iraq’s position within the global higher education system. Al-Mustaqbal University – the first university in Iraq.
  SDG4