Endorsed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and in partnership with the European–Asian Universities Association (EURAS), Al-Mustaqbal University inaugurated the EURAS Academy 2026 Forum, the first international academic event of its kind in Iraq, featuring wide participation from higher education leaders, policymakers, academics, and researchers from Iraq and abroad.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Ministry’s representative, the Deputy Minister for Administrative Affairs Prof. Dr. Adnan Al-Jumaili, EURAS President and Rector of Istanbul Aydın University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, and our President Prof. Dr. Hasan Shaker Majdi, alongside presidents, vice-presidents, deans, faculty members, and other distinguished guests from Iraqi universities.
The forum commenced with a speech on behalf of the University President by the Director of Academic and Scientific Oversight Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, highlighting the significance of hosting this international event amid the rapid transformations in higher education, particularly in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, quality assurance, and sustainability, and emphasising the University’s role in fostering strategic international partnerships and developing future-ready academic models.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın praised the organisation and hosting of the forum, noting that EURAS Academy serves as an effective platform to promote academic collaboration, internationalisation, and the building of bridges between universities in Iraq, Turkey, Europe, and Asia. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Adnan Al-Jumaili highlighted the importance of international partnerships in advancing higher education quality and leveraging global experiences to enhance the competitiveness of Iraqi universities.
The forum was held under the theme: “Quality, Sustainability, and Global Partnerships: Transforming Higher Education in the MENA Region”, featuring four specialised sessions addressing strategic issues in higher education:
• Session 1 – Integrated Excellence: Aligning global standards with local contexts to build next-generation universities.
• Session 2 – Strategic Leadership & Governance: Governance, quality culture, and institutional transformation in higher education.
• Session 3 – Global Engagement & Partnerships: International collaboration for agile and competitive universities.
• Session 4 – Sustainable Transformation & Innovation: Sustainability pathways, green campuses, digital transformation, and applied innovation.
The opening also included a cultural performance showcasing the civilisation of Mesopotamia through the ages, highlighting Iraq’s rich heritage and its historical role in the creation and dissemination of knowledge.
On the sideline of the forum, our university signed number of scientific and cultural cooperation agreements with leading Iraqi universities, including:
• University of Mosul
• Al-Mustansiriya University
• Northern Technical University
• Southern Technical University
• Al-Nusour University
The agreements cover areas of joint scientific research, faculty exchange, joint supervision of postgraduate students, organising conferences and specialised workshops, collaboration on international rankings, quality assurance and accreditation, and student activities, supporting national academic integration and enhancing the international standing of Iraqi universities.
Prof. Dr. Hasan Shaker Majdi stated that hosting this international forum and signing the cooperation agreements represents a strategic step to expand academic collaboration, support innovation and excellence, and contribute to shaping the future of higher education in Iraq and the wider region.