In light of the recent circulation of an article concerning the so-called RI2 Ranking, the Council of Al-Mustaqbal University would like to clarify the following to the academic public:

First: The University’s Rejection of and Position on This Ranking

The University Council expresses its deep astonishment at the promotion of an unrecognized, non-accredited ranking that lacks credible scientific foundations. It appears that such a ranking is unjustifiably aimed at undermining the reputation of Iraqi higher education institutions. The Council affirms that such rankings lack legitimacy within global academic circles and do not impact the progressive trajectory of university education in Iraq.

Second: Al-Mustaqbal University’s International Achievements

Despite such distracting attempts, Al-Mustaqbal University continues to solidify its standing both regionally and internationally through the following:

1. Internationalization and Strategic Partnerships
• Hosting Iraq’s first international Master’s program in collaboration with USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia), a globally ranked public university.
• Ongoing cooperation with international organizations such as UNESCO, the International Association of Universities (IAU) – the global voice of higher education, the Union of Mediterranean Universities (UNIMED), and the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS).
• Active membership in the Iraqi-British Academic Bridge.
• Signing over 120 academic cooperation agreements with well-established universities in the USA, Turkey, Egypt, and other countries.

2. Prestigious International Rankings
• Achieving first place globally in the Clean Energy (SDG 7) category according to the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
• Ranking within the 201–300 global tier in the same index.
• Inclusion in other prominent international rankings such as:
• US News
• UI GreenMetric
• Webometrics
• The Arab University Rankings
• The Iraqi National Ranking

Third: Research Quality and Performance Credibility

High-Level Research Output:
• 40% of the university’s research output is published in Q1 journals.
• 70% of publications fall within Q1 and Q2 combined.

Tangible Scientific Impact:
• The university has achieved an H-index of 75.
• Its research has received over 50,000 international citations.

Credibility of Global Evaluations:
• All university data used in international rankings are based on trusted databases such as Scopus and Clarivate Analytics, with no manipulation or interference from the university itself.

In Conclusion

Al-Mustaqbal University reaffirms its academic mission and pioneering role in advancing higher education in Iraq. It stands firmly behind its dedicated faculty, students, and both local and international partners. The university strongly rejects any malicious attempts to discredit its achievements through misleading or inaccurate information. It calls on the academic community to distinguish between credible institutional work and disruptive practices that serve neither education nor the nation.