Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, announced in his speech, in the presence of representatives from the European Union, UNESCO, and the advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr. Hamid Khalaf, as well as a number of deputies, advisors, presidents of governmental and private universities, and general directors, along with a selection of academics and specialists, the success of implementing the Bologna Process in the specialties of technical universities, which preceded their counterparts in its implementation. He emphasized, at the same time, the readiness of all governmental and private universities to adopt the Bologna process and complete its implementation requirements in over six hundred departments in engineering and science colleges, starting from the current academic year 2024/2023.

He explained that the higher education system, its universities, and institutions have become part of an ambitious and effective vision and program that is linked to the global academic event, and that they will not be far from the circle of internationalizing education, noting that these environments make education sustainable and put universities in front of their responsibilities.

In this context, Dr. Hamid Khalaf, the advisor to the Prime Minister, said that adopting the Bologna Process in Iraq was a responsible decision towards developing educational systems, meeting the needs of institutions for competency-based programs, providing quality environments, and implementing academic standards.

Meanwhile, Barbara Eiker, the Head of Cooperation Department at the European Union mission, expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and its universities for the level of cooperation and coordination in implementing programs and achieving good education outcomes. She also welcomed the Ministry’s decision to adopt the Bologna process, noting that it represents the main path for education reform in Iraq.

The conference featured a presentation on the Bologna Process by UNESCO Advisor Ann Catherine Isaacs, as well as sessions on the implementation of the Bologna Process, curriculum design, and quality assurance system presented by experts from the four technical universities. Additionally, UNESCO Program Specialist Dr. Anas Bu Hallal discussed UNESCO agreements on educational qualifications.

A panel discussion was held on the implementation of the Bologna Process in Iraqi universities, including the challenges and opportunities. The panel included the President of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy, the President of Al-Wasat Technical University, Prof. Dr. Abdulmohsen Naji, as well as UNESCO advisors and experts, and Dr. Alaa Abdulhassan, the Ministry’s advisor.

During the panel discussion, Al-Zuhairy highlighted the challenges faced in implementing the Bologna Process and its vision, particularly regarding the readiness of academic universities to implement the process in the new academic year 2023-2024. He emphasized the role of university leadership in the success of this project, which will be a significant milestone in higher education towards achieving university autonomy, internationalization of education, enhancing partnerships with the labor market, and meeting societal needs.

The university actively participated in the conference through presentations on quality assurance and curriculum, delivered by the Director of Quality Assurance Department and the Director of Studies and Planning Department at the university’s administration.