The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi, honoured the student winners of the third edition of the Higher Education Reading Award for the year 2025.
In his address, delivered in the presence of senior ministry officials, the President of the Iraqi Academics Syndicate, presidents of Iraqi universities, and deans of colleges, the Minister affirmed that the Ministry’s adoption of such inspiring initiatives aligns with its vision to promote a culture of reading, foster productive awareness, and empower students to engage positively with knowledge—moving beyond passive reception towards critical analysis and reflection. He noted that non-traditional reading represents one of the most important pathways for stimulating students’ intellectual capacities, enhancing their ability to confront challenges, and shaping informed, thoughtful academic personalities.
The Minister further explained that the Higher Education Reading Award represents a continuation of the trajectory of Iraqi academic advancement, through which universities have demonstrated a notable presence and impact in global rankings and classifications, achieving a positive imprint in the field of rigorous scholarly engagement.
The event included a speech by the organising committee, followed by remarks from the Ministry’s Adviser, Dr Alaa Abdul Hassan, and the screening of a documentary film about the award. The ceremony concluded with the Minister, Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi, taking commemorative photographs with the winning students and members of the ministerial organising committee, expressing his appreciation for their efforts in planning and organisation, and congratulating all participants for their enthusiastic engagement in these creative and enriching endeavours.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the availability of fifteen (15) Chinese scholarships offered to Iraq for the academic year 2026–2027.
The Directorate of Scholarships and Cultural Relations clarifies that these scholarships are available to both employees and non-employees, and are designated for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral studies. The deadline for submitting applications is 13 December 2025.
Eligibility and Requirements
Application Link – Awarding Authority
Portal of the Directorate of Scholarships and Cultural Relations

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the transfer results for students from academic staff families who were admitted under the Special Government University Education Scheme and the Appeals Channel for the academic year 2025–2026.
The results include the transfer of eighty-eight (88) students under the Special Government University Education Channel and four (4) students under the Appeals Channel. These transfers apply to students originally admitted to colleges and institutes outside their governorate of residence, who have now been relocated to equivalent programmes within their home governorates, in accordance with the transfer regulations governing both channels.
The Directorate of Studies, Planning, and Follow-up indicates that students may view their admission results through its portal using their examination number, and calls upon the admitted students to proceed with the registration process and begin their studies at their respective universities.
Portal Link:Directorate of Studies, Planning, and Follow-up – Admission Results

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the issuance of the Guide to Private Universities and Colleges for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
The guide includes:
• The geographical locations of private universities and colleges • The academic departments available in each institution • Tuition fees for both morning and evening study programmes • Reference to the suspension of admission in a number of departments and colleges in accordance with quality assurance requirements and academic standards
To view the guide:
https://mohesr.gov.iq/ar/assets/img/uploaded_files/241120250.pdf
For enquiries, please contact: Short number: 5751 Mobile: 07734896226

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the opening of the electronic application form for the admission of students graduating from Islamic preparatory schools affiliated with the Ministry of Education, as well as those from the Endowment-administered schools (Third Examination Sitting), for the academic year 2025–2026.
The Directorate of Studies, Planning, and Follow-up clarifies that applications may be submitted to the Departments of Arabic Language, History, Philosophy, Sociology, Tourism, Psychology, and Archaeology. The application period will remain open until Thursday, 27 November 2025. Applicants are required to confirm their choices via the electronic portal, selecting no fewer than ten (10) and no more than twenty-five (25) options.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the availability of Korean scholarships under the Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow programme for the year 2026.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations clarifies that these scholarships are exclusively for employees seeking to pursue a master’s degree. The application deadline is 1 December 2025.
Eligibility and RequirementsLink to the donor’s application page

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research calls on students registered on the Higher Education Reading Award platform to carefully follow the guidelines for the online test, scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
Guidelines:
The test will be conducted online and can be accessed via smartphones, tablets, or personal computers.
A timer will appear upon entering the platform to help students manage their time.
A countdown timer is displayed for each question.
Any response exceeding 45 seconds will be marked as incorrect.
The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), each with four options, only one of which is correct.
Responses will be graded electronically, and results will be displayed immediately upon completion, along with the total time taken.
Answers will be disqualified if the test interface is opened on more than one device simultaneously.
The test link will be published on the official website of the ministry and on the Higher Education Reading Award platform on the day of the exam.

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Naim Al-Aboudi, has issued ministerial orders to convert nine technical institutes within the four technical universities into polytechnic colleges—a strategic step considered the first of its kind in the path of university development in Iraq.
Speaking at a press conference attended by the Deputy Minister for Scientific Research Affairs and the presidents of technical universities, the minister emphasised that the establishment of specialised polytechnic colleges and the conversion of a number of technical institutes into them represent a strategic decision aimed at:
▪️ Consolidating diversity in higher education models.
▪️ Linking technical universities with industry and production centers, and strengthening the technical capabilities needed to implement national industrial development plans.
▪️ Achieving integration between academic and applied education.
▪️ Providing an attractive learning environment that embraces technological advancements and equips the labour market with specialised technical expertise to meet diverse needs.
▪️ Opening new horizons for student innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to the ministerial orders, the decision will take effect starting from the 2025–2026 academic year.
Read more details…

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Naim Al-Aboudi, has approved the academic calendar for the 2025–2026 academic year for undergraduate studies (beyond first-year levels) in public and private universities.
According to the approved calendar, the new academic year will commence on Sunday, September 21, 2025, marking the start of the first semester, which will extend for fifteen weeks. The second semester is scheduled to begin on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Academic Calendar

Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, honoured the top-performing students at Iraqi universities with the Minister’s Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement. The ceremony was attended by senior staff, presidents of public and private universities, vice-presidents, deans, department heads, and the families of the awardees.
In his speech during the ceremony, the minister emphasised the ministry’s commitment to providing a stimulating environment for distinguished students and offering comprehensive support. This includes opportunities for pursuing postgraduate studies, participating in innovation projects, benefiting from research and technology incubators within Iraqi universities, and engaging in regional and international academic conferences and forums.
He highlighted that, through its strategic vision, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has achieved a series of pioneering scientific accomplishments over the past three years, strengthening the position of Iraqi universities. These achievements have laid decisive steps toward comprehensive digital transformation, the establishment of specialised academic programmes, the rise of Iraqi universities in international rankings, an increase in published scientific research, and a growing number of Iraqi university journals indexed in global databases. The ministry has also launched masters' programmes in artificial intelligence and attracted thousands of international students from 47 nationalities under the "Study in Iraq" programme.
In conclusion, Dr Al-Aboudi congratulated the top students, their universities, and families on this achievement, affirming that the ministry will continue to foster ambition and support the pursuit of academic excellence in Iraq, remaining worthy of its responsibilities under all circumstances.

In line with its vision to foster an environment that encourages excellence and innovation, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the launch of online applications for the Iraqi Science Day Awards, open until Sunday, August 10, 2025.
The competitive award categories for this year include:

Outstanding University Award


Outstanding Authored or Translated Book Award


Outstanding Scientific Journal Award


Collective Volunteer Work Award for Undergraduate Students


Patents and Intellectual Property Award


Outstanding Graduation Project Award


Outstanding Research Center Award


Outstanding Research Unit Award


Outstanding University Library Award

As part of its international partnership with Clarivate, the ministry affirms that for the first time, Web of Science data will be used to determine winners of the awards for Outstanding Research, Outstanding Researcher, Outstanding University in Scientific Research, and Outstanding Research Reviewers.
The ministry clarifies that eligibility is limited to students and affiliates of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and that nominated works must be among the outputs produced in 2024.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the availability of partial scholarships offered by Integral University for the academic year 2025–2026.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations clarifies that the scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies across various disciplines. The application deadline is July 15, 2025.
📄 Application Requirements

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the names of candidates accepted into the Hungarian Scholarship Programme for the academic year 2025–2026.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations calls on the listed individuals to visit the department to complete the procedures for opening their academic files.
📄 List of Accepted Candidates

Iraqi universities have made significant progress in global academic reputation and sustainability-related rankings (SDGs).
Ten Iraqi universities secured notable positions in the QS World University Rankings 2026, which evaluated over 1,500 universities worldwide. The University of Baghdad ranked 741–750, Al-Nahrain University 951–1000, and both Al-Mustansiriya and Anbar Universities ranked 1001–1200. Meanwhile, Tishk, Babylon, Basrah, Karbala, Kufa, and Mosul Universities were placed in the 1201–1400 range.
This ranking is based on a methodology that evaluates:
Academic reputation (30%)
Employer reputation (15%)
Faculty-to-student ratio (10%)
Research citations per faculty (20%)
International faculty ratio (5%)
International student ratio (5%)
International research network (5%)
Employment outcomes (5%)
Sustainability performance (5%)
In parallel, Iraq demonstrated a strong presence in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2025, with 88 Iraqi universities participating. This ranking assesses the contribution and impact of higher education institutions in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through indicators covering research, institutional governance, community engagement, and education.
Notably, Al-Mustaqbal University ranked 1st globally in SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, placing it among the top universities worldwide aligned with the SDGs.
🔗 [Click here]
🔗 [Click here]

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi, honoured Aqeel Zaid Nabil — a student and inmate at Al-Karkh Central Prison — who completed his university studies through the Prisoner Education Programme, an initiative led by the Ministry of Higher Education in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and implemented by the University of Information Technology and Communications. This initiative reflects a strategic approach to reintegrate inmates into society through education.
During the meeting, which was attended by the President of the University of Information Technology and Communications, Dr Abbas Al-Bakri, Minister Al-Aboudi affirmed the ministry’s active participation in inmate rehabilitation programmes and its commitment to providing transformative initiatives aimed at rebuilding lives and empowering individuals to pursue higher education through tailored academic curricula. He praised the program’s impact as a positive model in psychological and rehabilitative development.

Under the direction of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research organised a celebratory conference marking the selection of Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital for the year 2025. The event was held in cooperation with the Permanent National Committee for Societal Awareness and Guidance at the Office of the Prime Minister.
In his keynote address, Deputy Minister Dr. Adnan Ibrahim Al-Jumaili affirmed the ministry's firm commitment to fostering institutional partnerships that position Baghdad as a premier academic, cultural, and touristic destination.
He emphasised that Iraqi academic and cultural institutions are steadily advancing the nation’s long-term development strategies toward 2030. This advancement coherently engages with global partnerships and responds thoughtfully to the goals of sustainable development.
The event featured remarks by the Minister of Culture, Dr. Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, and Dr. Lubna Khamis Mahdi, Director General of the Research and Development Department. It also included dialogue sessions, presentations, and performances that reflected the strategic vision of the Iraqi state in the realms of cultural and knowledge-based tourism—highlighting the synergy between universities, cultural institutions, and the tourism sector.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the availability of Slovak scholarships offered to Iraq. According to the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations, the scholarships are available for undergraduate and master’s degree programmes. The deadline for application is May 3, 2025.
For application requirements and registration: [Click here]
Donor-side link: [Click here]
Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations Portal: [Click here]

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi, chaired a meeting to follow up on preparations for the launch of the Colleges of Excellence and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Baghdad, as part of the ministry’s plans for the 2025–2026 academic year.
During the meeting, the minister emphasised the importance of aligning with global advancements in academic fields and creating a learning environment rooted in innovation and specialised knowledge. The College of Excellence will include programmes in applied information, business administration, e-commerce, accounting, banking, sociology, philosophy, and data science. The College of Artificial Intelligence will offer programmes focused on engineering applications, biomedical technologies, and smart data systems.
This initiative reflects the ministry's commitment to advancing the quality of higher education, promoting research and innovation in emerging technologies, and fostering institutional collaboration. It also supports the development of skilled human capital capable of driving inclusive and sustainable growth across various sectors.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the availability of 40 Romanian scholarships for the academic year 2025–2026.
According to the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations, the scholarships are available for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across various fields of study. The application deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Application and registration requirements: [Click here]
Donor-side link: [Click here]
Portal of the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations: [Click here]

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the availability of Thai scholarships for the academic year 2025–2026.
According to the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations, the scholarships are offered for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across a variety of disciplines. The application deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Application and registration requirements: [Click here]
Donor-side link: [Click here]
Portal of the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations: [Click here]

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the names of candidates accepted in the fourth batch of the Russian scholarship programme for the academic year 2024–2025.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations calls on the listed individuals to visit its office to initiate their academic file.
Requirements and list of accepted applicants: [Click here]

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the availability of 30 fully funded scholarships offered by the People’s Republic of China for Master’s and Doctoral studies for the academic year 2025.
According to the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations, the application deadline through the official online portal is Saturday, April 19, 2025.
These scholarships reflect the ministry’s continued efforts to expand academic opportunities and promote global academic exchange, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by supporting advanced education and international collaboration.
📌 For application requirements and eligible fields of study:
[Click here]
🌐 Apply through the official portal:
[Click here]

As part of regulatory and administrative measures, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the temporary suspension of access to the online application system for the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations.
The suspension will be effective from March 28, 2025, until April 5, 2025.
The ministry encourages applicants to plan accordingly and stay updated through official channels. This step supports streamlined service delivery and aligns with the ministry’s commitment to efficient digital governance in higher education, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasised the significance of drawing lessons from the sacred martyrdom of Imam Ali (PBUH) during his speech at the Fourth Wound Festival. The festival was organised by the College of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad. The Minister stressed the importance of embodying core Islamic values in higher education to inspire future generations.
The festival, titled The Path of Martyrdom, featured speeches and activities honouring Imam Ali’s (PBUH) legacy, with the presence of MPs, prominent figures, faculty, and students.
This event aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education (SDG 4) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) by promoting justice, equality, and social consciousness.