The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, chaired a meeting of the General Authority for Private Universities and Colleges, in the presence of the Undersecretary for Scientific Research Affairs and the Director of the Private University Education Department.
During the meeting, the Minister of Higher Education confirmed that private universities and colleges contribute positively to the provision of educational services and their environment is linked to the requirements of community service, pointing out that they represent part of the solution and treatment of the indicator of the increase in students' demand for higher education institutions.
The Minister of Higher Education renewed his support for moving towards modern disciplines that keep pace with market needs, work in accordance with quality standards and ensure their continuity by achieving a scientific response to accreditation requirements, explaining the importance of applying institutional accreditation standards with indicators related to governance, management, resources, students, faculty members, curricula, scientific research, community service, and application of accreditation standards programs that include medical, engineering, scientific and humanitarian programs, describing them as essential in the field of improving the outputs of public and private universities and enhancing academic reputation.
He stressed support for scientific research, achieving twinning programs, activating research centers, modernizing laboratories, and developing the educational environment in accordance with international indicators, stressing that the adoption of the Bologna track in public technical universities has provided an important scientific impetus to expand the scope of application in the next stage, which will include engineering and science specializations in Iraqi universities.
For his part, the Undersecretary for Scientific Research Affairs, Dr. Haidar Abd Dhahad, said that private university education is an important path and a pillar in the Iraqi higher education system, and that it takes noteworthy steps on the scientific and academic level, and that the data of specialized scientific publication indicates a positive presence of some private universities and colleges in global capacities, while the Director of the Private University Education Department, Dr. Muhannad Al-Jubouri, explained that there is a plan to work towards scientific partnerships, twinning, and development that serves the requirements of education in these institutions.
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, listened to the interventions and proposals of the presidents of private universities and colleges. The meeting concluded with a recommendation and emphasis on the optimal use of financial and human resources and an increase in the percentage of spending on scientific research and educational programs in order to achieve the mission and goals of the university institution.
