Administrative Divisions Al-Mustaqbal Center for Artificial Intelligence Applications
A delegation from Al-Mustaqbal University visited the Baghdad International Book Fair on September 16, 2025, where the university participated as a Gold Sponsor. During their tour, the delegation visited the university’s booth, which attracted a large number of visitors interested in exploring the university’s colleges, departments, and academic programs, particularly postgraduate programs in medical and engineering fields. The booth also showcased publications and works by the university’s faculty across various scientific and humanitarian disciplines, as well as introducing the modern laboratories and advanced infrastructure that distinguish the university. This participation reflects the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance its academic and cultural presence and to engage directly with students, researchers, and those interested in scientific and cultural affairs. Al-Mustaqbal University is the leading private university in Iraq
AI Model for Predicting and Preventing Student Dropout at Al-Mustaqbal University Introduction Student dropout represents one of the most critical and pervasive challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide [1]. Its detrimental effects extend beyond individual students, impacting institutional funding, reputation, and the overall quality of educational provision. At Al-Mustaqbal University, a leading private institution in Iraq, understanding the multifaceted underlying factors behind student disengagement and eventual withdrawal is not merely an academic exercise; it is an essential strategic imperative to improving educational outcomes, optimizing resource allocation, and bolstering institutional reputation and sustainability. The rapid advancements and integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly sophisticated deep learning and machine learning algorithms, offer a powerful and unprecedented opportunity to move beyond traditional, reactive approaches. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, we can develop highly accurate predictive models that are capable of identifying at-risk students much earlier in their academic journey, thereby enabling the implementation of timely and effective interventions [3]. This proactive approach aims to foster a more supportive and responsive educational environment, ultimately enhancing student success and retention. Problem Statement Traditional methods of monitoring student performance and well-being have historically relied heavily on manual assessment, periodic academic record reviews (such as mid-term and final grades), and subjective evaluations by faculty. While these methods provide some insight, they are often inherently reactive rather than proactive, tending to address problems only after students have already begun to disengage, face significant academic difficulties, or have even dropped out entirely [5]. Such belated interventions are frequently less effective and more costly. Moreover, with the continuous growth in class sizes, the increasing diversity of student demographics, and the complexity of modern learning environments, it becomes progressively more challenging for faculty members and administrative staff to provide the personalized, individualized support that each student truly needs, especially at scale. This gap highlights a critical need for an automated, data-driven system that can efficiently process vast amounts of information and provide actionable insights before problems escalate. Objective The primary and overarching objective of this comprehensive case study is to meticulously design and propose an AI-powered predictive model specifically tailored for Al-Mustaqbal University. This model will be capable of: Analyzing diverse and multi-modal data sources: This includes a wide array of information such as detailed academic records (grades, assignment submissions, GPA trends), comprehensive behavioral and engagement data (attendance patterns, activity logs within Learning Management Systems (LMS), participation in online forums and discussions, communication frequency with instructors), and relevant socio-economic indicators (financial aid status, family support structures, geographical location relative to campus). Identifying students at high risk of dropping out: The model will not only flag students as "at-risk" but will also aim to quantify the level of risk and potentially pinpoint the contributing factors, providing a nuanced understanding of their situation. This early identification is crucial for timely action. Recommending proactive and personalized interventions: Beyond mere prediction, a key goal is to suggest specific, actionable, and tailored interventions. These might include academic counseling, psychological support, financial aid assistance, peer mentoring programs, or targeted faculty outreach, all aimed at improving student retention rates and overall academic success. Methodology To achieve the stated objectives, a robust and scientifically sound methodology will be employed, encompassing several critical stages: Data Collection The efficacy of any AI model is directly dependent on the quality and comprehensiveness of the data it processes. Therefore, a meticulous data collection strategy is paramount: Student Demographic Information: This includes age, gender, geographic origin, program of study, and admission type, which can provide foundational insights into student populations. Academic Performance Records: Detailed historical and ongoing data, such as scores on quizzes, exams, assignments, overall Grade Point Average (GPA) for each semester, and trends in academic performance over time. Behavioral and Engagement Data: This category is crucial and will encompass various facets: Attendance: Both physical classroom attendance and engagement in online synchronous sessions. LMS Activity: Log data from the university's Learning Management System (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard), tracking frequency of logins, time spent on course materials, downloaded resources, forum participation, and submission timestamps for assignments. Participation: Metrics related to classroom participation (where available), engagement in university-wide events, and interactions with student support services. Socio-economic Indicators: Data that might indirectly influence student persistence, such as financial aid status, scholarship receipt, reported commuting distances, and anonymized aggregated data regarding family background, all collected with strict adherence to privacy protocols. Psychological Well-being Data (Optional and Highly Sensitive): Subject to ethical approval and student consent, this could involve anonymized data from university counseling services, participation in stress management workshops, or even self-reported well-being surveys. This data stream, if integrated carefully, can offer invaluable insights into non-academic stressors affecting students. Model Development The core of this project lies in the development of a sophisticated AI model: Preprocessing: Raw data from various sources is often messy, inconsistent, and incomplete. This crucial stage involves: Data Cleaning: Identifying and correcting errors, inconsistencies, and duplicates. Normalization/Standardization: Scaling numerical features to a common range to prevent features with larger values from dominating the learning process. Handling Missing Values: Employing appropriate imputation techniques (e.g., mean, median, mode imputation, or more advanced methods like K-Nearest Neighbors imputation) to address gaps in the dataset. Feature Engineering and Selection: This involves creating new features from existing ones to enhance the model's predictive power and identifying the most relevant indicators that have a strong correlation with student success or dropout. Techniques like Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) or feature importance from tree-based models will be considered. Model Architecture: A hybrid and multi-layered approach using deep learning techniques will be employed to capture complex patterns: Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs): While typically used for image processing, CNNs are highly effective in recognizing hidden spatial patterns and local correlations. They can be particularly useful in analyzing academic performance trends over time, treating sequences of grades or engagement metrics as "images" of student progress [6]. For example, a student whose grades show a consistent downward trend might exhibit a specific "pattern" detectable by a CNN. Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) / Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Networks: These networks are exceptionally well-suited for analyzing sequential data, which is abundant in student records. RNNs/LSTMs can effectively capture temporal dependencies and long-term patterns in data such as weekly attendance records, daily LMS activity logs, or semester-by-semester GPA changes [6]. They can discern if a sudden drop in engagement is an isolated event or part of a more concerning trend. Ensemble Models: To further enhance prediction accuracy and robustness, the outputs from CNNs and RNNs/LSTMs will be combined with traditional machine learning algorithms (e.g., Random Forests, Gradient Boosting Machines, or Support Vector Machines) within an ensemble framework. Ensemble methods often leverage the strengths of multiple models to achieve superior performance and reduce the risk of overfitting [4]. Validation and Testing: Rigorous evaluation is essential to ensure the model's reliability and generalization capabilities: Splitting Data: The collected dataset will be partitioned into distinct training, validation, and testing sets. The training set will be used to teach the model, the validation set for hyperparameter tuning and model selection, and the testing set (unseen data) for a final, unbiased evaluation of performance [2]. Performance Metrics: The model's effectiveness will be assessed using a suite of standard classification metrics, including: Accuracy: The proportion of correctly classified students (both dropouts and non-dropouts). Precision: The proportion of predicted dropouts that actually dropped out (minimizing false positives). Recall (Sensitivity): The proportion of actual dropouts that were correctly identified (minimizing false negatives). F1-score: The harmonic mean of precision and recall, providing a balanced measure of the model's accuracy. AUC-ROC Curve: To evaluate the model's ability to discriminate between classes across various threshold settings. Expected Outcomes The successful implementation of this AI-powered predictive model is anticipated to yield numerous significant benefits for Al-Mustaqbal University and its students: Early Identification of At-Risk Students: The model will enable the proactive identification of students exhibiting early warning signs of disengagement or academic difficulty, potentially weeks or even months before traditional indicators would surface. This allows for timely intervention before issues become entrenched. Improved Student Retention Rates: By facilitating personalized and timely support, the university expects to see a measurable increase in student retention rates, potentially reducing the number of students who withdraw from their programs. Reduced Workload for Faculty and Administrators: By automating the process of identifying at-risk students and providing data-driven insights, the model will significantly reduce the manual effort currently expended by faculty and support staff in monitoring student progress, allowing them to focus on direct student interaction and qualitative support. Strengthened Institutional Reputation and Resource Optimization: A robust student retention strategy, underpinned by data-driven decision-making, will enhance Al-Mustaqbal University's reputation as a student-centric institution. Furthermore, by reducing dropout rates, the university can optimize its resource allocation, as fewer resources will be spent on students who eventually leave, and more can be invested in enhancing the overall student experience. Challenges Despite its immense potential, the deployment of such an AI model is not without its challenges, which must be carefully addressed: Data Privacy and Security: Handling sensitive student information (academic, behavioral, and potentially psychological data) necessitates strict adherence to data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR principles, local Iraqi privacy laws). Ensuring robust data anonymization, secure storage, and controlled access are paramount. Bias in Models: AI models are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on. If the historical data contains biases (e.g., certain demographic groups having lower performance due to external systemic factors), the model might inadvertently perpetuate or even amplify these biases in its predictions. Rigorous bias detection and mitigation strategies (e.g., fair AI algorithms, diverse training data) will be critical. Interpretability and Trust: Deep learning models, particularly complex CNNs and RNNs, can sometimes be perceived as "black boxes" due to their intricate internal workings. Providing explainable AI (XAI) outputs that faculty and administrators can easily understand and trust is vital for successful adoption. The model should not just say who is at risk, but also why, offering concrete reasons based on specific data points. Integration with Existing Systems: Seamless integration with the university's existing IT infrastructure, including the LMS, student information systems (SIS), and administrative databases, will be crucial but potentially complex. User Adoption and Training: Faculty, academic advisors, and students will need adequate training and clear communication about how the system works, its benefits, and how to effectively utilize its insights. Resistance to new technologies is a common hurdle. Conclusion The proposed AI model represents a transformative and forward-thinking approach to proactively addressing the persistent challenge of student dropout at Al-Mustaqbal University. By intelligently leveraging advanced deep learning and predictive analytics, the university can shift from a reactive to a proactive paradigm, enabling it to better support students, enhance academic outcomes, and solidify its leadership position among private universities in Iraq [2]. The long-term success and ethical impact of such a sophisticated system will depend not only on its technical accuracy and predictive power but also on a unwavering commitment to ethical considerations, transparency in its operation, continuous validation in real-world academic settings, and a collaborative effort from all stakeholders. This initiative positions Al-Mustaqbal University at the forefront of educational innovation, creating a more personalized and supportive learning environment for every student. 📚 References Al-Shabandar, R., Hussain, A. J., Liatsis, P., & Keight, R. (2019). Detecting at-risk students with early interventions using machine learning techniques. IEEE Access, 7, 14944–149478. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2947255 Baker, R., & Inventado, P. (2014). Educational data mining and learning analytics. In Learning Analytics (pp. 61–75). Springer. Dekker, A., & Pechenizkiy, M. (2015). Predicting student dropout: A review of machine learning methods. In Proceedings of the 2015 International Conference on Educational Data Mining (EDM) (pp. 59–70). International Educational Data Mining Society. Gray, J., McGuinness, C., & Owende, P. (2014). An application of classification models to predict learner progression in tertiary education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 11(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.7238/rusc.v11i1.2079 Kizilcec, R. F., Piech, C., & Schneider, E. (2013). Deconstructing disengagement: Analyzing learner subpopulations in massive open online courses. In Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge (pp. 170–179). ACM. Zhang, Y., Almeroth, K., & Knight, A. (2020). Early detection of student performance using deep learning. Computers & Education, 158, 103983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103983 Al-Mustaqbal University is the first among private universities in Iraq.
On Monday, September 15, 2025, the Al-Mustaqbal University Council held its first session for the 2025-2026 academic year, chaired by Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, University President, with the participation of vice presidents, deans, and council members to review preparations and implementation plans for the new academic year. The President welcomed attendees, emphasizing the importance of academic, administrative, and technological readiness to ensure a strong start, supporting student activities, and enhancing educational quality. He highlighted the readiness of faculties to receive new and returning students and announced a comprehensive program of cultural, sports, artistic, and social activities, alongside awareness seminars to strengthen students’ national belonging. The President also stressed promoting academic programs locally and internationally to attract more students to 51 specialized programs. The council reviewed plans for the Future Youth Sustainability Camp, to be held at Babel Resort Gardens in early October 2025, including competitions such as the AI Hackathon, aimed at fostering innovation and community engagement. The council emphasized the development of faculty registration offices, updating curricula, scheduling, enhancing faculty skills, ensuring quality education and accreditation, and integrating digital transformation and AI technologies in teaching. In this context, the "Smart University" initiative was announced to be implemented from the start of the academic year, aligned with global digital transformation trends and UNESCO’s Digital Transformation Week in Paris. The initiative also promotes digital platforms, electronic textbooks, online exams, and participation in international competitions such as Next Generation and Unimed, alongside the Future Week for Sustainability competitions to encourage innovation in digital education technologies. The meeting concluded with an emphasis on teamwork, enhancing academic and administrative performance, ensuring the university’s leadership locally and internationally, and achieving sustainable development goals. Al-Mustaqbal University is the leading private university in Iraq
Al-Mustaqbal University continues its distinguished presence at the 26th edition of the Baghdad International Book Fair, with its booth attracting a wide audience from various segments of society for the second consecutive day. This strong turnout reflects the university’s leading role in supporting Iraq’s scientific and cultural movement, as well as its outstanding achievements that place it among advanced universities. The fair was inaugurated by Prime Minister Eng. Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in a cultural atmosphere blending the fragrance of books with the presence of official and diplomatic attendees. As the Gold Sponsor of the fair, Al-Mustaqbal University reaffirms its strategic commitment to supporting cultural and knowledge initiatives, while highlighting its pioneering role in positioning Iraq on the map of intellectual and creative excellence. Through this participation, the university seeks to strengthen ties with academic and cultural institutions and showcase its achievements in research and development. The fair continues until September 21 at the Baghdad International Fairground – Al-Mansour / Baghdad Hall, featuring a wide participation of local and international publishing houses, alongside prominent attendance from ministries, academic institutions, and organizations, making it a landmark cultural event that celebrates knowledge and fosters genuine partnerships between universities and culture-supporting institutions. Al-Mustaqbal University is the leading private university in Iraq
As part of its strategy to enhance global openness and develop international academic partnerships, Al-Mustaqbal University participates in the 35th Annual Conference of the European Association for International Education (EAIE 2025), held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from September 9 to 12, 2025. This event is recognized as the largest European gathering in the field of international education. The university represents the Federation for European Education (FEDE), which it joined in 2019, making it the only educational institution from the Middle East participating in this prestigious event alongside universities and institutions from Europe, Africa, and Asia. Through its participation, Al-Mustaqbal University aims to showcase its academic achievements and educational programs, highlight its role in promoting higher education quality, supporting scientific research, and engaging with global experiences, contributing to the development of its students’ skills and expanding international collaboration opportunities. The university emphasizes that this participation represents a strategic step towards strengthening its position in the international academic arena and establishing its presence as a leading scientific hub in Iraq, focusing on building strategic partnerships and exchanging expertise with global universities, positively impacting the progress of higher education in Iraq and the region. Al-Mustaqbal University is the leading private university in Iraq
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Mitochondrial Analysis (mtDNA): Emerging Horizons in Medical and Forensic Research With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, it has become possible to employ machine learning and deep learning algorithms in studying mitochondrial functions and analyzing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This progress has opened new horizons in both medicine and forensic science. As the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria play a central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and any dysfunction in their performance is linked to a wide range of diseases, from neurological disorders to cancers. Here, AI emerges as an effective tool capable of handling the massive and complex data associated with mitochondria—whether derived from microscopic imaging, genetic sequencing, or clinical information. One of the most notable applications is the use of generative AI models to design new sequences targeting mitochondria. Researchers have developed a Variational Autoencoder (VAE)-based model capable of generating millions of mitochondrial targeting sequences (MTSs). The effectiveness of these sequences was experimentally validated in yeast, plants, and mammals using advanced imaging techniques. These results pave the way for building dynamic libraries that can be leveraged in metabolic engineering and gene therapy. AI has also played a vital role in diagnostic and predictive medicine through the development of novel standards such as MitoScore, which employs multiple machine learning algorithms to predict mitochondrial function and link it to immune and metabolic responses, particularly in gastrointestinal cancers. In low-grade gliomas, machine learning models contributed to the development of indicators such as mtPCDI, which demonstrated strong predictive power for survival rates and enabled more precise therapeutic interventions. In structural imaging, deep learning techniques have accelerated the analysis of mitochondrial electron microscopy images, reducing analysis time by up to 90% compared with conventional methods. Through simulation-supervised deep learning models, algorithms were trained on synthetic but realistic datasets, enabling them to recognize mitochondrial dynamics in live-cell microscopy videos with unprecedented accuracy. At the genomic level, AI has contributed to the creation of tools such as MitoScape, which employs random forest algorithms to distinguish mtDNA reads from nuclear mitochondrial sequences (NUMTs) in high-throughput sequencing data. This advancement has opened the door to reanalyzing existing genomic datasets to uncover novel mitochondrial patterns associated with common and complex diseases, all within large-scale cloud computing environments. The clinical applications of this integration are clearly visible in fields such as reproductive aging assessment. By combining data on mitochondrial function and mtDNA with AI algorithms, researchers have been able to predict gamete quality and the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies. Additionally, these tools have identified distinctive mitochondrial signatures that can potentially be targeted pharmacologically in the future, positioning AI as a cornerstone of precision medicine. The integration of AI with mitochondrial research represents a paradigm shift in understanding cellular biology and its applications. From designing targeted sequences, to structural imaging and analysis, to clinical predictions and forensic applications, AI stands out as a powerful mediator capable of transforming complex data into actionable knowledge. These advancements are expected to strengthen early diagnosis, enhance the development of targeted therapies, and accelerate scientific discoveries toward broader horizons. Dr. Feryal Ibrahim Al-Dhafiri Center for Al-Mustaqbal Applications of Artificial Intelligence Al-Mustaqbal University – The First Among Private Universities in Iraq
Under the patronage and presence of H.E. Prof. Dr. Naim Al-Aboudi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the National Erasmus+ Day was launched at the University of Baghdad in cooperation with the European Union Delegation in Iraq, from 8–9 September 2025. In his opening speech, the Minister emphasized the vital role of Erasmus+ programs in advancing higher education in Iraq, announcing the establishment of dedicated units in all Iraqi universities to follow up on Erasmus+ activities. Al-Mustaqbal University took part with an official delegation representing Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, President of the University. The delegation included Prof. Dr. Mudhafar Sadiq Al-Zuheiri, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, Dr. Samir Ibrahim Badrawi, Director of Cultural Relations, and Ms. Elaf Salah Mahdi, Erasmus+ Program Officer. The delegation reaffirmed the university’s commitment to international academic openness through student and staff mobility, strong regional and global partnerships, and hosting international postgraduate programs, thereby strengthening its pioneering role in the academic arena. 🔹 Al-Mustaqbal University is the first among private universities in Iraq
Prof. Dr. Nidhal Khdhair Al-Abbadi, Director of the Al-Mustaqbal Center for Artificial Intelligence Applications at Al-Mustaqbal University, along with the center’s staff, extends heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Islamic nation on the occasion of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure family). May Allah bless everyone with goodness, prosperity, and blessings. Al-Mustaqbal University – The First Among Private Universities in Iraq