The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the availability of 25 scholarships offered by the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education for Iraqi applicants for the 2026–2027 academic year. The scholarships are available to non-employed applicants only.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations stated that the scholarships are available for Master's and PhD programmes across a range of academic disciplines.
The deadline for applications is Sunday, 12 July 2026.
Application requirements and criteria
Link to the donor side

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Administrative Affairs, Professor Adnan Ibrahim Al-Jumaili, participated in a regional workshop in Amman, Jordan, on the "Enhancing Decarbonisation through Energy Efficiency in Buildings in Iraq" project.
The five-year project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The workshop focused on developing regulatory and legislative frameworks to improve energy efficiency in buildings, reduce pressure on the national electricity grid, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Discussions covered the development of Building Energy Efficiency Codes (BEEC), Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), and the establishment of an Energy Efficiency Centre (EEC) to provide technical guidance, training, capacity building, and support for energy policies in the construction sector.
During the workshop, Professor Al-Jumaili emphasised that effective monitoring, evaluation, and public awareness are essential to the project's success. He also highlighted the importance of coordination among the project's steering committee, which includes representatives from several ministries, relevant professional bodies, and the private sector, to maximise the project's benefits for Iraq.

Under the patronage of the Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Abdul Hussein Al-Mousawi, and in the presence of the Deputy Minister for Scientific Research Affairs, Professor Haider Abd Duhad, Al-Noor University in Mosul hosted an international workshop entitled "The Quality of Bologna Process Implementation in Iraqi Universities: Current Practice, Challenges, and Opportunities for Development." The event brought together the presidents of several public and private universities.
The workshop was organised in line with the Ministry's efforts to strengthen quality assurance and evaluate the outcomes of the Bologna Process as the first cohort of students approaches graduation. It featured Professor Burak Arikan from Türkiye as an international expert, who shared international experience in external evaluation and European quality standards. Discussions also explored mechanisms for enhancing academic performance and exchanging expertise to support quality improvement across Iraqi higher education institutions.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced that Iraq secured third place worldwide in the Computing Track of the Huawei ICT Competition 2025–2026 global finals, held in Shenzhen, People's Republic of China. The competition brought together outstanding university students from around the world.
Iraq was represented by a national team comprising three students from leading Iraqi universities.
The tenth edition of the competition attracted more than 220,000 students and academics from over 2,000 educational institutions across more than 100 countries, making it the largest in the competition's history. A total of 177 teams from 49 countries qualified for the global finals hosted in China.
Since the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Huawei Technologies in 2024, 13 Huawei ICT Academies have been established across Iraq.
The Huawei ICT Competition is one of the world's leading initiatives for developing digital talent. It provides students with an international platform to enhance their practical skills in computing, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, and cyber security.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research organised a specialised training workshop on the applications of artificial intelligence in teaching and scientific research. The event was held in collaboration with the Arab Federation of Scientific Research Councils, the London Bridge Foundation (UK), and Specto Foundation.
In his opening remarks at the workshop, hosted by Al-Shaab University, the Director General of the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations, Professor Hazim Baqir, stated that the initiative forms part of the Ministry's internationalisation programme. The programme aims to expand cooperation with international academic and research institutions, strengthen strategic partnerships, and promote innovation within Iraq's higher education sector.
The workshop brought together academics, researchers, and teaching staff from universities across Iraq. It focused on enhancing academic capabilities in the effective use of artificial intelligence technologies in teaching and research.
The initiative reflects the Ministry's commitment to modernising the academic environment, adopting emerging technologies, and strengthening the quality of scientific research and academic performance across Iraqi higher education institutions.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research held discussions with a delegation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on strengthening cooperation in line with national development priorities and strategic plans.
The meeting reviewed completed and ongoing programmes and projects, while exploring mechanisms to enhance collaboration. The discussions focused on improving the quality of higher education, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, and preparing highly qualified national talent capable of leading academic and research development.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Scientific Research Affairs, Professor Haider Abd Duhad, reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to expanding cooperation and strengthening institutional coordination with international organisations, particularly UNESCO. He also emphasised the importance of supporting high-quality research initiatives that address emerging scientific and knowledge-based developments and contribute to sustainable development.

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Scientific Research Affairs, Professor Haider Abd Duhad, announced that the Minister of Health, Dr Abdul Hussein Al-Mousawi, has approved a policy requiring students from private universities, colleges, and institutes to undertake their clinical training exclusively at healthcare institutions licensed by the relevant authorities.
The Deputy Minister explained that compliance with this requirement will form part of the future employment criteria for positions within the Ministry of Health. He noted that the decision is intended to ensure the quality of clinical training and to uphold recognised standards of academic and professional accreditation.
He also commended the strong coordination between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Health, emphasising that the decision will strengthen practical training, improve the quality of medical and health education outcomes, and contribute to enhancing healthcare services.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research welcomed the Council of Ministers’ decision to resume the scholarship program for talented students to study at leading international universities.
The minister emphasized that the program plays a vital role in developing human capital, supporting student aspirations, and aligning educational outcomes with Iraq’s National Education Strategy (2024–2030).
He also directed the relevant departments to begin preparations for the second edition of the program for the 2026–2027 academic year, building on the success of the first edition, which provided talented students with high-quality study opportunities in disciplines that support national development priorities.

Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Abdul Hussein Al-Mousawi, held a meeting with the ministry’s senior staff at the beginning of his assignment to manage the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
During the meeting, he emphasized the ministry’s role in supplying the public and private sectors with qualified professionals and skilled graduates, while outlining a 21-day executive plan to align the ministry’s performance with the government program.
Senior staff members congratulated Dr. Al-Mousawi on his new responsibilities in both the Ministries of Health and Higher Education, noting that Iraqi universities continue to operate under a clear vision that meets society’s educational and academic needs.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Ha Lo Al-Askari, affirmed that Iraqi universities are providing expanding educational opportunities to keep pace with population growth indicators.
This came during his speech at the opening of the First Scientific Conference on Addressing Unemployment and Poverty in Iraq 2026, organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning. He stated that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is committed to aligning educational outcomes with the needs of society and the labour market. This aims to transform universities into influential institutions capable of reducing unemployment, combating poverty, and strengthening sustainable development indicators.
He also highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in updating academic programmes, developing curricula, supporting technical education, strengthening partnerships with state institutions and the private sector, expanding training environments, and equipping students with entrepreneurial skills that prepare them to integrate into the knowledge economy.
For his part, the Acting Minister of Planning, Dr Khalid Battal Al-Najm, reviewed development indicators and their relationship to poverty and unemployment trends. He stressed that the Ministries of Higher Education and Planning share responsibility for identifying challenges and developing sustainable solutions through institutional cooperation.
The first session of the conference featured scientific discussions involving representatives from the Ministries of Higher Education, Planning, Labour and Social Affairs, in addition to the Senior Adviser of the United Nations Population Fund, university presidents, representatives of the private sector, unions and professional associations, the International Labour Organization, and a distinguished group of academics and researchers.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the availability of scholarships offered by Christ University (Lavasa Campus, Pune, India) and Sobhit Institute of Engineering & Technology for the 2026/2027 academic year, exclusively for non-employed applicants.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations clarified that these opportunities are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The application deadline for Christ University (Lavasa Campus, Pune, India) is 30 April 2026, while the deadline for Sobhit Institute of Engineering & Technology is 2 August 2026.
For further details, please visit the official website of the Ministry.

The Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Hallo Al-Askari, chaired a meeting with the Advisory Board, attended by its members from the senior administrative leadership and the presidents of public universities.
At the outset of the meeting, the Minister stressed the importance of quality assurance and its direct impact on improving educational outcomes, keeping pace with global developments, strengthening academic reputation, and enhancing the production of scientific research and its presence in international indexes and databases.
The Minister also highlighted the role of quality in advancing governance, improving institutional performance, and responding effectively to the requirements of modern education, in addition to emphasising the completion of the standardised assessment examination.
For further information on the items approved by the Advisory Board, please visit the Ministry’s official website.

The Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Hêlû Al-Askari, chaired a meeting of the Ministry’s senior leadership, emphasising the importance of strengthening institutional performance and enhancing integration in a manner that serves the quality of the educational process and the effectiveness of academic and scientific services provided to society.
At the outset of the meeting, Dr Al-Askari expressed his appreciation for being entrusted with the responsibility of administering the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, alongside his duties at the Ministry of Environment, in accordance with a Diwani Order issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.
The Acting Minister listened to the interventions of senior officials at the Ministry’s headquarters, stressing the need to enhance institutional effectiveness in light of ongoing digital transformation, strengthen adherence to quality assurance and academic accreditation indicators, support productive scientific research, and develop knowledge growth frameworks. These efforts aim to ensure the robustness of the higher education system, its alignment with international standards, and the sustainability of scientific advancement.
He reaffirmed the importance of working in a spirit of collective responsibility, managing duties in accordance with legal authorities, and addressing challenges as opportunities for development. He also highlighted the role of higher education institutions in meeting societal aspirations and reinforcing public confidence in their services and academic mission.

The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani, has assumed the duties of managing the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, pursuant to an official Diwani Order authorizing him to carry out these responsibilities in addition to his current ministerial role.
In this context, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research expressed his commitment to preserving the distinct role of educational institutions and their importance in delivering services and achieving objectives that directly serve society in the scientific and academic fields. He emphasized the continuation of work and coordination with a strong sense of responsibility to meet the requirements of the public interest.
For their part, senior officials at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research welcomed Prof. Dr. Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani in his role of managing the Ministry’s affairs, stressing the importance of integration and cooperation in fulfilling duties and responsibilities within the higher education and scientific research environment and its universities.

The Council of Opinion at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research reassured all employees of its institutions that the Cabinet decision does not, in any way, affect university service allowances granted to full-time university service staff in accordance with the law.
The Council clarified that the decision does not impact the allowances granted under the provisions of Paragraphs (First) and (Second) of Article (14) of the University Service Law for both technical and administrative employees. It further emphasized that the content of Paragraph (7) of Cabinet Decision No. (40) of 2026 is fully consistent with the legal texts stipulated in the University Service Law, which remains in force.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the entitlements of its employees, whether at the Ministry headquarters or across Iraqi universities, in accordance with applicable legal frameworks and approved legislation.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, announced the end of paper-based operations at the Ministry and the launch of a new phase of comprehensive digital automation across academic and administrative systems.
Speaking at the Comprehensive Digital Governance Ceremony, attended by senior officials, university presidents, and college deans, the Minister stated that January 19, 2026, marks a major milestone in the Ministry’s institutional performance and a strategic shift toward digital governance aligned with international standards and institutional excellence.
Dr. Al-Aboudi emphasized that this transformation enhances efficiency through automated correspondence and digital archiving, while ensuring long-term sustainability by strengthening digital infrastructure, developing staff capacities, and securing information systems to support stable and fully electronic administration.




 
 



 

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, participated in the launch of the National Qur’an Day events, held from January 17 to January 22.
In his address at the University of Baghdad, attended by the Prime Minister and representatives of state institutions and Iraqi universities, the Minister emphasized the vital role of universities in promoting awareness rooted in religious and national values. He stressed the importance of academic and scientific engagement in protecting society and future generations and preserving Iraq’s cultural and historical identity.
Dr. Al-Aboudi also highlighted the Ministry’s initiative to introduce a special admission channel for Qur’an memorizers and reduce tuition fees across various disciplines, reaffirming the commitment to promoting moderation and countering violence and hatred through education.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the results of the Iraqi University Ranking, which included the evaluation of more than one hundred public and private universities for the year 2025, in accordance with indicators related to the educational environment, institutional performance metrics, and the trajectory of scientific research.
This edition, prepared by the Supervision and Scientific Evaluation Authority, includes the assessment of (103) public and private institutions based on nine main performance axes, namely: institutional accreditation standards (15%), global rankings (10%), effectiveness of scientific research (35%), sustainable development and green indicators (10%), evaluation of the scientific and academic reality and compliance rules (5%), awards (5%), international diversity (10%), occupational health and safety and environmental protection (5%), and activities (5%).
The ranking results (https://iru.mohesr.gov.iq/result) showed that the University of Baghdad ranked first, followed by the University of Technology and then the University of Basrah among public universities. At the level of private universities, Al-Mustaqbal University ranked first, followed by Warith Al-Anbiyaa University in second place, and the Islamic University in third place.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the names of those admitted to undergraduate and postgraduate studies within the Russian study fellowship for the academic year 2025/2026.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations invites those whose names are listed to visit the Department’s headquarters to commence the procedures for opening their academic files.
Requirements and Names

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chairman of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Authority, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, announced the launch of the Scientific Preparatory Committee for the 17th Arab Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, in cooperation with the Arab Atomic Energy Authority.
During a joint press conference with the Authority’s Director General, Dr. Salem Al-Hamadi, Dr. Al-Aboudi stated that the conference, scheduled to be held in Baghdad in 2026, comes in response to the growing need to responsibly employ nuclear and radiation technologies for peaceful purposes in sectors such as research, health, agriculture, industry, environment, water, and energy.
Dr. Al-Hamadi praised Iraq’s efforts in organizing the conference and supporting scientific cooperation, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise among Arab countries, contributing to the peaceful use of atomic energy in support of sustainable development.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research held a national workshop to discuss the future of scientific research funding in Iraq and its development priorities in light of current challenges and global knowledge changes.
The workshop, hosted by the Scientific Research Authority, brought together senior government officials, university leaders, and researchers to explore mechanisms for joint cooperation between state institutions and to align research outputs with national development needs.
During the event, the Ministry’s Undersecretary for Scientific Research presented Iraq’s national research priorities and innovation requirements, while participants emphasized the importance of reforming research funding systems, establishing a unified national vision, and proposing the creation of a National Scientific Research Fund to support productive and development-oriented research.




 
 



 

On World Arabic Language Day, we join the international community in celebrating this occasion and extend our congratulations to our scientific, academic, and cultural circles in Iraq, as an expression of our deep pride in the civilisational heritage and the continually renewing creative corpus of our enduring Arabic language, whose eloquent strength and rich semantic systems have been intrinsically intertwined with the miracle of the Holy Qur’an.
World Arabic Language Day coincides at this significant moment with our historic decision to establish the College of Excellence for Arabic Language and Literature at the University of Kufa, in the firm belief that it constitutes a fundamental pillar of our academic project, a vital source of sustainable cultural awareness, and a responsible pathway for strengthening the global standing of our universities through pioneering achievements realised for the first time within the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the availability of Russian scholarships for the academic year 2026/2027.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations clarifies that the scholarships include various specialisations for undergraduate and postgraduate studies for both employees and non-employees, and that the final date for application is Sunday, 15 January 2026.
Application RequirementsLink of the awarding bodyPortal of the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announces the availability of scholarships offered by the Institute of Science and Technology in Austria for the year 2026.
The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations clarifies that the scholarships are fully funded by the Institute of Science and Technology for the year 2026 to pursue doctoral studies in the specialisations of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Neuroscience, and that the final date for application is Thursday, 8 January 2026.
Application RequirementsLink of the awarding bodyPortal of the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations