Administrative Divisions Department of Cultural Relations
As part of Al-Mustaqbal University’s strategic vision, led by its President, Professor Dr Hassan Shakir Majdi, to strengthen academic partnerships with prestigious international universities, particularly in the United Kingdom, the University has launched its first summer training programme in the UK. The initiative reflects the University’s commitment to promoting Academic Mobility for students and academic staff and advancing the internationalisation of higher education in Iraq. A group of students from the College of Engineering Technologies has travelled from Babylon to Bristol to participate in the Summer Training Programme for Capacity Development in Artificial Intelligence at the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol). The programme provides students with an international academic experience combining training, practical activities and exposure to contemporary approaches in Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation. It is designed to enhance their technical and academic skills while enabling them to engage with the UK higher education environment and gain insight into innovative practices in their fields. Al-Mustaqbal University emphasises that this opportunity is not limited to students of the College of Engineering Technologies. Further cohorts will be offered to students from other colleges and academic disciplines through subsequent international training programmes, expanding opportunities for students across the University to benefit from academic mobility and international learning experiences. The initiative also reflects Al-Mustaqbal University’s active engagement in the Iraqi–British Academic Bridge Initiative, launched by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to strengthen connections and cooperation between Iraqi and British universities and to create new opportunities for collaboration in education, research and knowledge exchange. Moving beyond traditional institutional agreements towards tangible academic experiences, this initiative demonstrates Al-Mustaqbal University’s commitment to providing its students with global opportunities, enhancing the quality of education and developing future-ready skills. #Al-Mustaqbal_University #Ranked_first_among_private_universities_in_Iraq #Goal_17_Partnerships_for_the_Goals
As part of its commitment to expanding international partnerships and advancing the internationalization of higher education in Iraq, Al-Mustaqbal University held an important consultative meeting with the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) to explore new avenues for academic and scientific cooperation, particularly in areas representing strategic priorities and challenges for the region. The Al-Mustaqbal University delegation was headed by University President Prof. Dr. Hasan Shakir Majdi, with the participation of Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision; Prof. Dr. Azhar Mohsen Abd, Dean of the College of Engineering Technologies; and a number of directors of university departments and centers. Representing UC Davis were Dr. Christopher A. Marconi, Director of Business Development for International Programs, and Dr. Jake Hosier, Executive Director of International Access Programs. Dr. Zahraa Al-Naqash also attended as a representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. At the outset, Prof. Dr. Hasan Shakir Majdi presented his vision for potential areas of cooperation between the two universities, emphasizing the importance of directing academic partnerships toward the region’s pressing priorities, particularly energy, water, agriculture and climate action, with the aim of generating applicable scientific knowledge and supporting sustainable solutions to existing challenges. Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy delivered a presentation on Al-Mustaqbal University, highlighting its achievements in scientific research, international rankings and academic accreditation, as well as its pioneering initiatives in energy, water and agricultural activities. He also presented a preliminary roadmap for cooperation encompassing joint research and academic initiatives and capacity-building programs. The UC Davis representatives welcomed Al-Mustaqbal University’s initiatives and strategic directions and shared their perspectives on potential areas of collaboration. Both sides agreed to maintain communication and coordination regarding joint capacity-building programs in several areas proposed by Al-Mustaqbal University and identified as current priorities. The meeting reflects Al-Mustaqbal University’s vision of developing high-quality partnerships with leading global universities and transforming international cooperation from framework agreements into impactful projects and programs that advance research, innovation and the internationalization of higher education in Iraq. #Al-Mustaqbal_University #Ranked_first_among_private_universities_in_Iraq #Goal_17_Partnerships_for_the_Goals
As part of its early preparations for the 2026–2027 academic year, the Office of Scientific and Academic Supervision at Al-Mustaqbal University held a meeting chaired by Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy, Director of Academic Supervision, with the participation of directors and staff members from the Scientific Affairs, Cultural Relations, Quality Assurance and Accreditation, and Science and Technology Parks departments, as well as the Sustainability and International Rankings divisions. The meeting included a comprehensive review of the scientific and academic plans and programs implemented during the previous academic year, paving the way for developing future plans in coordination with the colleges’ deanships, in a manner that enhances performance quality and advances the university’s educational and academic outcomes. Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy emphasized the importance of focusing on applied scientific research capable of providing solutions to real-world problems and generating added economic value. He also stressed the need to activate scientific conferences and workshops, enhance the quality of the university’s academic journals, and work toward meeting the requirements for their inclusion in internationally recognized indexing databases. The meeting also addressed the review of existing memoranda of understanding and agreements, assessing their level of implementation and maximizing their potential to support the university’s academic and research mission. The meeting further reviewed the university’s presence in local and international rankings and highlighted the importance of adopting innovative, high-impact initiatives that support the Sustainable Development Goals. It also emphasized completing the requirements for institutional and academic accreditation, thereby strengthening Al-Mustaqbal University’s competitiveness and enhancing its local and international standing. #Al-Mustaqbal_University #Ranked_first_among_private_universities_in_Iraq #Goal_17_Partnerships_for_the_Goals
As part of its vision to internationalize higher education and strengthen research excellence, Al-Mustaqbal University held a high-level strategic meeting with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), USA—a Carnegie-designated R1 Research University—to explore academic collaboration and the establishment of joint Master’s programmes in two of the most in-demand disciplines of the future: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity. The meeting was chaired by Professor Hassan Shaker Majdy, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, and Dr. Asef Eskandarian, Dean of the VCU College of Engineering. Representatives from the Iraqi Cultural Attaché in Washington, D.C., and the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research also participated to ensure that the proposed programmes align with both international academic standards and Iraq’s national higher education regulations. The Al-Mustaqbal University delegation included Professor Hassan Shaker Majdy, Professor Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, Professor Azhar M. Abd, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technologies, together with senior officials from the International Relations, Cultural Scholarships, and Scientific Affairs departments, as well as a number of academic staff. The VCU delegation was led by Dr. Asef Eskandarian and included the Director of Graduate Studies and several senior academic leaders from the College of Engineering. The Iraqi Cultural Attaché was represented by Dr. Hussein Al-Sheikh and Dr. Alaa Al-Husseini, while the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research was represented by Zahraa Al-Naqash. During the meeting, VCU presented the capabilities of its College of Engineering as part of an R1 research institution, highlighting its internationally recognized expertise in robotics, autonomous systems, and advanced engineering research. The two universities agreed on the initial framework for developing the proposed joint Master’s programmes. Professor Hassan Shaker Majdy emphasized that Al-Mustaqbal University is pursuing an ambitious strategy to transform education and research from a national focus into a globally connected ecosystem through partnerships with leading international universities such as VCU. He noted that this vision includes introducing internationally benchmarked postgraduate programmes in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity based on the curricula and academic standards of partner institutions, while expanding collaborative research in robotics, intelligent systems, and cybersecurity. The strategy promotes joint scientific publications in high-impact international journals and strengthens academic mobility through faculty exchanges, research fellowships, and international scholarly visits. #Al-Mustaqbal_University #Ranked_first_among_private_universities_in_Iraq #Goal_17_Partnerships_for_the_Goals
As part of the UK–Iraq Academic Bridge Initiative Forum, Al-Mustaqbal University and the University of Baghdad signed a strategic scientific and cultural cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening academic collaboration and advancing Iraq’s higher education and research ecosystem in line with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The agreement was signed during a meeting between the President of Al-Mustaqbal University, Professor Hassan Shaker Majdy, and the President of the University of Baghdad, Professor Alaa Abdulhassan. The partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration across several strategic areas, including: * Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence: Accelerating digital transformation in academic administration while promoting joint research and innovation in artificial intelligence and smart technologies to enhance educational and research infrastructure. * Research Collaboration: Supporting collaborative applied research projects, increasing publications in high-impact international journals indexed in Scopus, and advancing innovative teaching and learning technologies. * Training and Capacity Building: Facilitating the exchange of expertise and providing professional development opportunities for academic staff, administrative personnel, and students to strengthen their digital and technical competencies. * Academic Cooperation: Coordinating academic programmes and curricula while expanding both virtual and in-person knowledge exchange initiatives. The agreement reflects the shared vision of both universities to foster academic excellence, innovation, and sustainable institutional development. It also underscores their strong commitment to advancing higher education in Iraq through strategic collaboration, expanding research opportunities, and nurturing a culture of creativity and leadership that will contribute to a more prosperous and knowledge-driven future. #Al-Mustaqbal_University #Ranked_first_among_private_universities_in_Iraq #Goal_17_Partnerships_for_the_Goals
Al-Mustaqbal University hosted the fifth meeting of the Ministerial Committee overseeing the UK–Iraq Academic Bridge Initiative, reaffirming its leadership in advancing the internationalization of higher education and strengthening strategic partnerships between Iraqi and UK universities. The meeting was chaired by Professor Alaa Abdul Hassan, Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chair of the Ministerial Committee, and attended by Dr. Richard Sanderson, Country Director of the British Council in Iraq, the Council’s Programmes Manager, representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and presidents and representatives of participating Iraqi public and private universities, including the Universities of Baghdad, Al-Mustansiriyah, Mosul, Babylon, Kufa, Thi-Qar, Middle Technical, Northern Technical, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Turath, Al-Shaab, and Al-Maarif. In his opening remarks, Professor Alaa Abdul Hassan reviewed the Initiative’s strategic vision and highlighted its major achievements since its launch in 2024, emphasizing the importance of expanding sustainable academic collaboration between Iraqi and UK institutions. Professor Hassan Shaker Majdy, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, welcomed the participants and highlighted the University’s recent accomplishments, including its progress in international rankings, the successful programmatic accreditation of several academic programmes, and its commitment to enhancing educational quality, research excellence, and international engagement. The programme included an introductory film about the University, followed by a presentation by Professor Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy, Director of Scientific Supervision and Academic Affairs, who showcased Al-Mustaqbal University’s strategic partnerships with leading UK universities, particularly the University of Nottingham and the University of Reading, under the Academic Bridge Initiative. He also presented practical proposals to further strengthen the Initiative and expand academic collaboration. The meeting concluded with presentations by the Ministry’s representative and participating university leaders, focusing on future opportunities for research collaboration, institutional partnerships, and internationalization to further advance higher education and scientific research in Iraq. #Al-Mustaqbal_University #Ranked_first_among_private_universities_in_Iraq #Goal_17_Partnerships_for_the_Goals