Ministry Instructions

Article (1): The following expressions, for the purposes of these regulations, shall mean the meanings stated:

Firstly: Scientific Research Center: An organization responsible for scientific research tasks, affiliated with the university president, where a group of researching faculty members and non-full-time teaching staff work.

Secondly: Research Unit: An organization responsible for scientific research tasks, affiliated with the dean of the college, where a group of researching faculty members and non-full-time teaching staff work.

Thirdly: Researching Faculty Member: A university faculty member on the staff of the Scientific Research Center or the Research Unit.

Article (2): The tasks of the researching faculty member in the Scientific Research Center or the Research Unit are determined as follows:

Firstly: Conducting scientific research and studies assigned by the center or unit within its scientific and research plans, either individually or as part of research teams, in accordance with the requirements of the center or unit's work.

In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article (47) of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Law No. 40 of 1988, the following instructions have been issued:

Article (1)
The text of Article (4) of the Instructions to Strengthen Scientific Research No. 51 of 1992 is hereby canceled and replaced by the following:

Article (2)
First: The specialized committees in the college or institute shall evaluate the research through experts, each of whom shall be granted a reward of (100,000) one hundred thousand dinars.
Second: The researcher shall receive research strengthening fees as follows:
A. (500,000) five hundred thousand dinars for original applied research.
B. (400,000) four hundred thousand dinars for valuable applied research.

Article (1): The first, second, third, and seventh paragraphs of Article (1) of the First Amendment to the Law of University Service No. 23 of 2012 are amended and replaced as follows:

First: A university service employee is to be retired upon reaching the age of sixty-five (65) years, and seventy (70) years for those holding the academic title of Professor or Associate Professor. The university council or authority may extend the university service for a period not exceeding (5) years for those holding the academic title of Professor or Associate Professor, based on their written request, the recommendation of the college or institute council, and the approval of the relevant medical committee.

Second: Retirees since January 1, 2005, who have not returned to employment under the provisions of this law, are entitled to the privileges stipulated in it and shall continue to receive their retirement salary.

Seventh: A university service employee is granted a fixed financial reward of (4,000,000) four million dinars for each research published in journals with impact factors (known globally as the journal's credibility scale).

First: A university service employee is to be retired upon reaching the age of sixty-five (65).

Second: The Minister has the authority to extend the service of a professor specializing in rare disciplines beyond the age limit based on the recommendation of the University Council to continue their academic service, with the support of the relevant medical committee.

Third: A retiree who does not return to employment under the provisions of this law shall not be entitled to the privileges stipulated in it and shall continue to receive their retirement salary.

Article (1):
The text of Article (2) of the Law of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research No. 40 of 1988 is hereby annulled and replaced by the following:

Article (2):
This law aims to:
1. Introduce quantitative and qualitative changes in scientific, technical, and cultural activities, directing educational and research institutions to achieve continuous interaction between thought and practice, aiming for scientific authenticity and excellence. It also seeks to engage with human experiences and adopt international scientific quality standards, reaching higher levels of educational development, ultimately building new generations that carry the banner of knowledge and science to be an effective and influential force in society.

Article 8: Fourthly, in the event of a student passing all subjects in the academic level they are in but failing in some subjects carrying a lower grade, they will be deemed successful in the higher grade, and they will remain responsible for the subjects they failed in the subsequent year, even if they pass the subjects of the higher grade.

Article 9: The student is considered to have failed in any subject if their absences exceed (10%) ten percent of the prescribed hours for that subject without a valid excuse, or (15%) fifteen percent with a valid excuse approved by the College or Institute Council.

In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of Article (9) of Law No. (23) of 2008 for the University Service, the following instructions have been issued:

Article (1)

Firstly, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research approves academic leave for individuals holding the rank of professor, associate professor, or lecturer within Iraq in accordance with the law.

Secondly, the Minister approves academic leave for those covered by the provisions of paragraph (1) of this article outside the Republic of Iraq in the event of being unable to complete the academic leave requirements within Iraq.

An amendment to the Civil Service Law No. 24 of 1960

Article 1: The text of Article fifty of the Civil Service Law No. 24 of 1960, as amended, is hereby repealed and replaced as follows:

Article Fifty:
First: A. The competent minister or the head of the entity not affiliated with a ministry may grant a study leave outside Iraq, with full salary and allowances, to an employee holding a primary or higher university degree and who has completed (2) years of effective service after obtaining the latest degree, to obtain a higher degree for the period required for the study and language learning, according to the approved conditions for scholarship students.

The four pillars of higher education are: faculty, students, curricula, and necessary educational resources (such as buildings, laboratories, and libraries). Therefore, establishing any college or scientific department requires thorough preparation, ensuring the provision of all material and human resources. This is to prevent the establishment from becoming an unplanned burden. The following considerations must be taken into account when initiating the establishment:

1. It is imperative that each university has uniqueness in the specializations it encompasses. It is not permissible for every university to be an exact replica of each other. Additionally, universities must strive to introduce new scientific specializations that are not present in the region.

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Examination Committees  

The examination committee is one of the most important committees formed in colleges and institutes to manage examinations and document the outcomes of the educational process  Its work reflects the level of organization in the administrative work of the educational institution  The committee's work should be characterized by complete confidentiality, high precision, and performance quality, as it serves as the primary standard for assessing the level of outcomes of the teaching process and documenting the efforts of its targets, namely the students, while safeguarding their rights  The work of these committees focuses on three main axes: 

  Axis 1: Exchange of examination questions, their procurement, and the preservation of their confidentiality, printing, withdrawal, and storage    

  Axis 2: Exchange and consolidation of grades on examination records and master sheets    

  Axis 3: Details of examination results, announcements, objections, and auditing    

  1 A Formation of Examination Committees:  

1) The College or Institute Council, based on the dean's proposal, forms a permanent committee or more to manage examinations during the academic year

2) The College/Institute Council, based on the dean's proposal at the beginning of each academic year:

  1. Forms a central examination committee responsible for managing examinations in the college/institute, with the registrar as a member
  2. Forms subsidiary examination committees (at the department, branch, or academic level) responsible for maintaining the basic record (master sheet) This involves recording all student grades and their data in the basic record, along with their examination results and the preparation of reports on examinations and the calculation of averages according to the regulations
  3. Forms an auditing committee (or committees) responsible for auditing examination records and verifying their integrity according to examination instructions, regulations, and directives issued by the ministry, university councils, and the college/institute

3) The Dean of the College/Institute issues administrative orders for the formation of examination committees (central, subsidiary, and auditing), including the names of their heads and members, and their responsibilities Copies of these orders are sent to all departments, branches, examination committees, and the registrar B Tasks of Examination Committees and Registration Department 

 1) Tasks of Examination Committees:  

 

  1. a) Central Examination Committee:
  • Implementing the instructions, regulations, and directives issued by the ministry, university, and college/institute council regarding examinations, examination records, and student results
  • Developing internal instructions for organizing examinations in the college/institute and announcing them to departments, branches, and students
  • Organizing the examination schedule and monitoring in coordination with scientific departments or branches, and announcing it to students
  • Providing all necessary resources for conducting examinations, including examination halls, suitable examination booklets, sheets for preserving questions and examination records, necessary electronic devices with their accessories, printing question papers, selecting invigilators, arranging student seating in examination halls, organizing the student and invigilator attendance form daily, and providing appropriate stamps for subsidiary or auditing examination committees
  • Delivering three final copies of examination questions in sealed conditions, signed by the instructor, and securely storing them One model is selected for each session
  • Distributing and copying examination questions for the first and second sessions based on the number of participating students, placing them in envelopes for each examination hall
  • Ensuring the confidentiality of examination questions
  • Delivering printed examination questions and booklets to examination hall managers according to the examination schedule, with the hall manager's or authorized representative's signature
  • Collecting used and unused examination booklets and damaged ones from examination hall managers after the examination for each subject, along with the student attendance and absence form (the subsidiary committee may be assigned this task) Submitting used examination booklets to subsidiary examination committees according to subject
  • Receiving students' objections to their results in both sessions within the specified time frame (3 working days) from the announcement date, verifying these objections, and announcing the audit results
  • Recording the final results for students in the basic record
  • Calculating students' averages for the completed stage for each phase and their percentage of the final average, then calculating the final cumulative average for the student, including three rankings after filtering according to the valid examination instructions
  • Treating the grades of pass-through courses, treating the courses the student succeeded in during the second session when calculating the cumulative average
  • Signing by the head and all members of the examination committee on each page of the basic record according to the responsible study stage
  • Maintaining the confidentiality of students' grades while preserving examination booklets, performance lists, and grades of practical or applied exams if applicable
  • Completing the examination committee's work within no more than five working days for completed stages, including auditing committees, and within no more than ten days for the remaining stages for both sessions
  • Submitting the basic record to the assistant dean responsible for student affairs after completing the committee's work, according to a delivery and receipt report the report is handed over officially to the college/institute registration department

 

Third: Audit Committee:  

  1. a) Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for auditing the basic records by verifying the accuracy of these records regarding the writing of students' names, curriculum subjects, the number of units, grades, implementing decisions related to handling cases, calculating averages, and all other tasks related to maintaining the basic record in accordance with the applicable instructions and relevant decisions
  • Submits a report to the dean of the college, including all observations, suggestions, or necessary actions, and applies the instructions and regulations

 

  1. b) Examination Questions:
  • The instructor responsible for the examination informs the examination committee, which is responsible for notifying all students in the hall, and notifies the assistant dean for academic affairs and the examination committee A report with the situation is raised and a copy is kept by the assistant dean

 

  1. c) Examination Supervision:
  • All instructors assigned to invigilate must remain in the examination hall throughout the exam, with no one leaving the hall without permission from the hall supervisor This should be noted in the invigilators' attendance form
  • Students should not leave the examination before half of the allotted time has passed
  • Students are not allowed to enter the examination hall after half of the allotted time for the exam has passed under any circumstances
  • If a student receives an additional exam booklet, it must be noted in the observations field in the attendance list
  • Students are not allowed to keep any copy of the examination questions until the end of the exam
  • A seating plan, indicating students' names and their distribution on seats, must be available

 

  1. d) Dealing with Cheating:
  • The hall supervisor and invigilators are responsible for maintaining order during the exam inside the examination hall, preventing cheating, attempts to violate the examination hall system, or any disturbances
  • Ensuring students stay in their designated places within the hall, and they are not allowed to leave unless approved by the responsible invigilator
  • Preventing conversation between students inside the hall, avoiding contact with them, and acting calmly when detecting attempts to cheat
  • If a cheating case is detected, the examination booklet is confiscated, any tool used in cheating is seized, and a report is prepared with the situation signed by the hall supervisor and all invigilators This report is submitted to the dean for issuing an administrative decision to dismiss the student for the academic year

 

  1. Electronic Examinations:
  • The following paragraphs are considered cheating cases in electronic exams:

  1 Matching errors in correct answers

  2 Matching spelling errors in students' answers in more than one place

  3 Submitting two answers from different students from the same electronic account

  4 Identity impersonation

  5 Any case acknowledged by the college/institute council

  • Dealing with the above cases is in accordance with the valid examination instructions

  2 د Correction of Examination Booklets (Handling Some Cases):  

 

The correction of examination booklets within the college is carried out with the preparation of suitable conditions for the correction, considering the following:

 

  1) Responsible for Correction:  

  • The instructor responsible for the course is responsible for correcting the examination booklets within a specified period determined by the examination committee A committee of instructors may be assigned to the correction task (according to paragraph (٥) later in this section)

 

  2) Correction Guidelines:  

  • The corrector is required to mark each question on the cover of the booklet, including the total score, and sign next to each grade
  • The corrector is instructed to mark blank white sheets in the booklet by drawing two long diagonal lines to indicate that these sheets were left blank and should not be manipulated in the future
  • Correction should be done using red ink exclusively, and auditors use green ink
  • In case it is impossible for the responsible instructor to correct the booklets for any emergency reason,

 the following procedure is adopted:

  1. The department head submits a memorandum to the assistant dean for academic affairs to form a correction committee consisting of three members who have taught the course in previous years, with priority given to those who have taught the course If the required number is not complete, members from related specialties may be included as determined by the department head
  2. The college dean issues administrative orders for the committees assigned to correction according to the memoranda submitted by the departments or scientific departments to enable them to perform their tasks Booklets are received and corrected by the examination committee
  3. Correction is done according to the model answers provided by the instructor responsible for the course
  4. A record is written by the correction committee for each course, specifying the number of booklets, the number of questions, the names of the correctors for each question, and any other observations if present
  5. administrative orders and the memoranda referred to earlier are kept attached in the main record

 

  2 ه Appeal Mechanism for Exam Results:  

 

  • Students have the right to appeal exam results within a three-day working period from the date of result distribution
  • The examination committee collects the appeals and verifies the grades according to the following context:
  • Verification of booklet grades by checking the correction of all questions and sections, in addition to ensuring the accuracy of grade summation and its transfer from within the examination booklet to the cover
  • Verification of the annual effort grade with the final exam grade
  • Verification of the fixed grade on the main record with the grade recorded on the calculator to prevent any possible incorrect transfer
  • The results of the appeals are announced on the notice board, indicating whether they match or not, and the term "matching" or "non-matching" is written with the corresponding appreciation

  4) Obligations of Examination Committee Members:  

 

  • Accuracy in Grade Transfer:

Members of the examination committee must exercise the utmost accuracy when transferring examination grades and recording them in the records They should pay attention to checking and confirming the names of the instructors responsible for grade entry and auditing Erasing, striking, or using correction fluid is considered forgery unless accompanied by the signature of the dean and the knowledge of those involved in grade recording, auditing, and transfer

 

  ب) Preservation of Records:  

The original copy of the main record must be preserved after the completion of the examination committee's work in the college's registration The storage location of records should be secure, ensuring their best condition An administrative order specifying the person responsible for record preservation should be issued

 

  ج) Record Keeping Guidelines:  

  • Recording in the main record should be in accordance with the current examination instructions, regulations, and directives issued by the ministry, university council, and the college
  • Writing in the main record should be initially done in pencil and later inked after confirming the completion of the committee's work to avoid errors The record should be written in clear, black, dry ink

 

د) Use of Colors in Recording:  

  • Black ink is used to record grades
  • Red ink is used to mark failing courses and implement decisions
  • Blue ink is used to write any notes, including decisions of the college council
  • Green ink is used to mark make-up courses

 

  5) Use of Dry Ink in Grade Locking:  

The following colors are designated for specific purposes in locking grades:

  • Black Color: To lock grades
  • Red Color: To mark failing courses and implement decisions
  • ج) Blue Color: To write any notes, including decisions of the college council
  • د) Green Color: To mark make-up courses

 

  3 ب Electronic Main Record (Electronic Spreadsheet):  

 

  • The college must use an electronic main record in its operations, following examination instructions, regulations, and directives issued by the ministry, university council, and the college This should not contradict the manual main record

 

  • The written record can be adopted on the computer after being transformed into a file in (pdf) or printed form This is done by photocopying the written record, signing and stamping it with live stamps, and then scanning it using a scanner Both paper and electronic copies are distributed to the deanship, registration, and the department

 

  3 ج Notes to Consider When Recording Grades:  

 

  • Grades should be recorded in their designated fields (effort grade, final exam grade, final grade) The annual effort grade limit is determined by the college council at the beginning of the academic year, considering the nature of the course  The department must announce the final effort grade for the student at least five days before the final exam to allow sufficient time for students to appeal or correct any errors during that period  The appeal cannot be made after submission to the examination committee; it is only accepted once recorded in the main record

 

  • The term "غير مطالب" (non-demanded) is recorded in the subject field for blind students exempted from taking exams in some subjects This is indicated in the notes field as an administrative decision exempting them from the exam

 

  • For students absent with an excuse from one of the exams, the final exam field is marked with the letter "م" (M) to indicate the postponed exam

 

  • For students absent without an excuse from one of the exams, the final exam field is marked with the letter "غ" (G) to indicate failure

 

  • Separate fields are designated for crossover and compensation courses, with the consideration that the exam grade of the crossover course is considered a pass in the second round when calculating the average, even if the student passed it in the first round

 

  • In the case of proven cheating by a student, and an administrative order is issued considering them failed due to cheating in multiple subjects during the academic year, their grades are not approved the phrase "راسب بالغش" (failed due to cheating) is recorded, including the administrative order number and date This does not include crossover courses unless cheating occurred in them

 

  • For a student who failed and completed the requirements for previous years' courses, the term "مستوفي" (completed) is recorded in the subject field or the grade obtained in the previous year is recorded in green This is done in accordance with the current instructions, indicating that it is in the final grade field for the purpose of calculating the average

  5 General Guidelines:  

 

  • Mandatory Familiarization:

All members of the examination committees must be acquainted with the current examination instructions, admission regulations, and directives regarding committees and examination records This includes the decisions of the college council regarding student cases There should be a common understanding and unified implementation of these instructions

  • Committee Members Access to Exam Management Guide:

All examination committee members should have access to a copy of the University Exam Management Guide

 

  • Restricted Access to Exam Rooms:

Non-committee members are not allowed to enter the examination room under any circumstances

  • Informational Announcements:

The examination committee must place informative announcements near the examination halls, on the examination committee's notice board, and the college or department's website These announcements should clarify matters that students need to consider during exams, including:

The importance of arriving before the specified exam time to check their names on the college (or department) announcement board

The requirement for students to bring a valid university ID or an official confirmation from the college registration, containing the student's photo in case of a lost ID

The necessity of presenting a valid university ID upon entering the examination hall

Students are not allowed to enter the examination room after half of the exam time has passed

The use of black or blue ink only for writing names, subjects, and other details on the exam notebook cover

 

  ٦ Other Exam Guidelines:  

 

1 Students are responsible for ensuring the examination committee's stamp on the exam notebook If the stamp is missing, the student should inform the room supervisor to replace the unsealed notebook with a properly stamped one

 

2 Latecomers are not compensated with additional time, and the student must complete the exam in the remaining time

 

3 Students should ensure the integrity of the exam notebook and its cover

 

4 Students are allowed to use only black or blue ink; other colors such as red or green, or the use of correction fluid, are not permitted However, students can answer with a pencil if specified by the course instructor in the exam questions

 

5 If an open-book exam format is approved by the college council, students are allowed to bring books and lectures to the exam, as specified by the course instructor in the exam questions

 

6 Students are strictly prohibited from bringing mobile phones into the examination hall Phones must be surrendered to the assigned staff before entering the exam hall, and if a student violates this rule, they are not allowed to enter the exam room

 

7 Smoking or bringing a cigarette box into the examination hall is strictly prohibited

 

8 Students must adhere to disciplined behavior, refrain from any actions that disrupt order, and maintain good conduct during the exam

 

9 Students are not allowed to possess any books, study notes, or any aids, especially mobile phones or smartwatches, inside the examination hall Any violation is considered cheating

 

10 Students are allowed to bring a handheld calculator if recommended by the course instructor as a necessity for the exam

 

11 Talking to other students during the exam is strictly prohibited, and if this occurs, it will be considered a case of cheating

 

12 The exam is considered invalid if the student fails to sign the attendance register before leaving the examination hall

 

13 Students have the right to participate in the second-round exam if they were unable to participate in the first round with a valid excuse, as per the current examination instructions and relevant ministry books

 

14 Students are required to take both the theoretical and practical exams for the subject to fulfill the requirements in case of failure or absence in either exam in the first round, the student must take both exams in the second round

  6 Appendices:  

 

  أ Exam Questions Instructions No 38 for the Year 1992:  

 

  Article 1:  

The exam questions aim to:

1 Assess the student's comprehension of general information and ideas within the curriculum and their ability to think and analyze

2 Evaluate the student's ability to express acquired information in an organized manner

 

  Article 2:  

For exam questions to achieve the specified objectives in Article (1) of these instructions, the following must be observed:

1 Questions should be diverse and not limited to a single pattern There should be a balance between questions requiring organized essay writing on a specific topic and other questions based on the student's study of curriculum topics

2 Questions should be clear and specific in their formulation

3 Not all questions should be descriptive; they should include areas for comparison and linking different elements of the subject, expressing various perspectives, defending or critiquing them to reveal the student's abilities within the curriculum

4 Consideration should be given to balancing between required answers and the allotted time The specified time for final exams should not be less than two hours in technical institutes and three hours in primary studies at universities and between (3) to (5) hours in postgraduate studies

 

  Article 3:  

1 The department head reviews the exam questions, ensuring compliance with the conditions stipulated in Article 2 of these instructions, and objects to questions that do not align with these conditions

2 The exam paper includes the following information:

   - Name of the university, college, institute, department, and scientific branch

   - Exam subject

   - Academic stage and year

   - Exam date, indicating the semester or session

   - Allocated exam time

   - Name of the instructor(s) who prepared the questions

 

  Article 4:  

When correcting exam papers, the following should be considered:

1 All matters related to the exam should be confidential

2 Weight distribution for the exam grade should be specified for each question, and this should be documented on the exam paper

 

 Note: The text seems to end abruptly at the end of Article 4 (the number "١٧" is included) If there are more sections or information, please provide the additional content 

  Article 5:  

 

Colleges and technical institutes conduct oral exams for certain subjects specified by the college or institute council to test students' academic and personal abilities according to the following:

 

1 A committee composed of at least three instructors, with the option to seek assistance from instructors from another college or university in the absence of a qualified instructor in the required specialization, is responsible for conducting the oral exam

2 All committee members participate in directing the oral exam questions to the student

3 Each member of the examining committee assigns a grade for the oral exam confidentially the average of the grades assigned by the committee members becomes the final grade, considering the student's overall performance The examining committee determines the duration of the oral exam for each student, in line with the nature of the subject, but not less than (15) minutes

 

  6 ب Punishment for Exam Question Leakage:  

 

Includes the provisions of Decrees No 132 of 1996 and No 57 of 2000 regarding the punishment for leaking exam questions, as follows:

 

1    For those who leak, disclose, broadcast, or illegally circulate final school or general exam questions:  

   - Punishment by imprisonment for a period not less than one year

   - The imprisonment penalty shall not exceed seven years if the offender is a member of exam committees, question setters, involved in transporting, safeguarding, preparing, packaging, or translating questions

   - The imprisonment penalty for the offenses specified in this paragraph shall be no more than one year if the crime arises from negligence

 

2    For those who aid in cheating in final school or general exams or facilitate it:  

   - Punishment by imprisonment for a period not less than one year and not exceeding three years

   - The provisions of the first paragraph of this clause do not apply to students who commit cheating within exam halls, and the school regulations apply to them

 

3    For those who manipulate exam papers or answer papers used in school or general exams or tamper with their grades:  

   - Punishment by imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years

 

4 Deliberate crimes specified in this decree are considered crimes against honor

 

5 Women are exempt from arrest and detention procedures during the investigation and trial period in cases covered by this decree They are allowed to provide bail until final judicial decisions are issued in their cases The above provisions apply to semester or final exams conducted in colleges and institutes affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

 

  6 ج Specifications for the Exam Paper (According to Article 3 of Exam Questions Instructions No 38 for the Year 1992):  

 

1 The exam paper should be printed through electronic computers

2 It must include the following data and instructions (in bold font):

   - University or college logo in the center, with the college and department names on the right side of the paper

   - Exam date and allocated time on the left side of the paper

   - Exam name (course, stage, academic year, semester, and session) in the middle of the paper

   - Answer instructions (if necessary) written at the top of the first page (e g، Questions on two pages, Answer on the answer sheet, Answer four questions, etc) with an underline

3 The question header should be in bold font, size 16, the question itself should be no less than size 14, and there should be a space and a half between lines

4 The number of marks for each question should be clearly placed next to the question Marks for each question should be at least 15 minutes per question

 

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