Iraq Concludes the Education Conference 2025 with a Strategic Agreement with Clarivate and Announces Its Advancement in the Times World University Rankings
The Iraq Education Conference 2025, in its second edition, concluded its sessions with the participation of a distinguished group of international experts and academics from both Iraqi and global universities.
Held under the patronage of Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the conference took place from October 11–13, 2025, at the University of Baghdad, featuring diverse academic activities and discussions. The event welcomed representatives from major international institutions such as Times Higher Education (THE), Clarivate, Elsevier, QS, and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank.
One of the key outcomes of the conference was the signing of a strategic agreement between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Clarivate, aimed at strengthening Iraq’s research ecosystem, enhancing the capacities of Iraqi researchers, and boosting the global presence of Iraqi universities in international rankings.
During the conference, it was officially announced that Iraq ranked 26th globally in 2026 in terms of the number of universities participating in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s higher education progress.
The sessions and discussions addressed a wide range of strategic themes and recommendations, including:
• Academic attraction strategies at the regional and international levels.
• The Times Higher Education initiative to enhance the global visibility of Iraqi universities.
• Digital transformation and partnerships with Elsevier.
• Academic accreditation and research strategy in Iraq.
• The Ministry’s partnership with Clarivate.
• The Iraqi universities’ approach to the QS World University Rankings.
• The role of legislation in developing higher education, learning outcomes, and labor market alignment.
• The British Council’s contribution to the internationalization of higher education.
• The role of international organizations in supporting Iraq’s higher education development strategies.
• Arab cooperation in building the knowledge economy.
• Science and technology parks, business incubators, and the implementation of the Bologna Process in Iraqi universities.
In his opening remarks, Minister Naeem Al-Aboudi emphasized that Iraq is moving forward in transforming its higher education system into a platform for innovation and internationalization, one that attracts students from around the world, connects researchers across disciplines, and engages dynamically with global knowledge networks.
Media and Government Communication Department
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
October 13, 2025
⸻
🌐 Website:www.mohesr.gov.iq
💬 WhatsApp:www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafocFA4o7qU2f8tTo2S
📢 Telegram:www.t.me/mohesr_official_channel
📘 Facebook:www.facebook.com/Ministry.Official.Page
🎥 Al Jameia TV:www.facebook.com/AlJameiaTV
📄 Facebook (English):www.facebook.com/Ministry.Official.Page.En
🧵 Threads:www.threads.net/@ministry.official.page
🐦 X (Arabic):www.x.com/mohesr_gov_iq
🐦 X (English):www.x.com/mohesr_en
📸 Instagram (Arabic):www.instagram.com/ministry.official.page
📸 Instagram (English):www.instagram.com/ministry.official.page.en
▶️ YouTube:www.youtube.com/user/mohesr
📺 Al Jameia Satellite Channel:www.youtube.com/c/قناةالجامعيةالفضائية
🎵 TikTok:www.tiktok.com/@ministry_official_page
