In a renewed affirmation of its pioneering role in supporting national and developmental issues, Al-Mustaqbal University actively participated in the First Scientific Conference on Addressing Unemployment and Poverty in Iraq for the year 2026, held in partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Planning, under the slogan: “Integrating Knowledge and Policies toward Fair and Sustainable Solutions that Create Impact.”
The conference was attended by the Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Ha Lo Al-Askari, and the Minister of Planning, Dr. Khalid Battal Al-Najm, along with a number of deputy ministers, advisors, university presidents, deans, professors, and researchers, as well as representatives of international organizations, civil society institutions, the private sector, and the labor market. The event represented a national platform aimed at strengthening integration between knowledge and policymaking to address major developmental challenges.
The delegation of Al-Mustaqbal University included Professor Dr. Mudhafar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, representing the President of the University, Professor Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, accompanied by Dr. Samir Badrawi, Director of Cultural Relations, Assistant Professor Dr. Munther Sumeen, and Engineer Khalid Kazem Al-Salihi, Director of the Sustainability Division.
Within the scientific sessions of the conference, Professor Dr. Mudhafar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi participated in a panel discussion on the role of universities in addressing unemployment and poverty, presenting a research paper that analyzed the current situation and emphasized the importance of developing education, enhancing skills, and aligning higher education outputs with labor market needs and sustainable development requirements.
He also highlighted Al-Mustaqbal University’s pioneering experience in bridging the gap between education outputs and labor market demands through strategic partnerships established via the Industrial Advisory Council, in addition to its continuous efforts toward promoting the knowledge economy and preparing graduates with future-ready competencies that enhance employability and entrepreneurship.
This active participation aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) through improving educational outcomes and linking them to the labor market; Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by supporting employment and entrepreneurship; Goal 1 (No Poverty) through contributing to sustainable development solutions; and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening cooperation between universities, ministries, and national and international institutions.
This engagement reflects Al-Mustaqbal University’s commitment to its academic and societal mission of contributing to sustainable national solutions through scientific research, applied initiatives, and institutional partnerships that support Iraq’s economic and social development.