Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboodi, and under the supervision of the President of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy, the university festival for fine arts for Iraqi university students was opened.

It is worth mentioning that the festival represents an important activity within the scientific supervision and evaluation system at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research – Department of Student Activities for the academic year 2023-2024, the first semester, hosted by Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University and supported by nine government and private universities, with the participation of 45 government and private universities and colleges.

The opening ceremony was attended by the President of Jabir bin Hayyan Medical University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Baqir Fakhr Al-Din, the President of Islamic University, Prof. Dr. Ammar Al-Salami, the Vice President for Administration Affairs, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al-Majtoumi, a number of deans of colleges and institutes at the university, the ministerial delegation, department directors, heads of delegations, participating university students, and a large number of staff and students.

The ceremony included a presentation of a film about the most important scientific, cultural, and urban achievements recently accomplished by the university. Then, the President of the University delivered a speech conveying greetings from His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naim Al-Aboodi, and his wishes for success to the participating students. He also spoke about the importance of this festival, which represents an important link in the chain of student activities of various types, including sports, cultural, artistic, social, and which makes the university environment an attractive environment that harmonizes with the aspirations of students in adopting talents and encouraging creativity and innovation.

Al-Zuhairy pointed out in another aspect of his speech that student activities are an important milestone that is no less important than the educational and scientific research process, especially since interest in culture, literature, and the arts in all their forms gives an indication of the culture and sophistication of nations.

On the other hand, the representative of the ministerial team gave a speech in which he expressed his high appreciation and gratitude to the President of the University, the hosting universities, and all those who worked in the organizing and preparatory committees for their efforts in making the festival successful and distinctive.

For four consecutive days, the festival includes an exhibition of the products of participating universities, individual and collective competitions, which will be judged by the ministerial technical and arbitration committee. The participation was extensive and distinctive with more than one million artistic paintings and handicrafts. The works presented by participating male and female students include drawing in various forms such as oil and watercolor painting, pencil drawing, charcoal drawing, as well as sculpture and various handicrafts.

The President of the University, Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairy, honored the sponsoring universities of the festival, then the opening ribbon was cut and a tour was taken inside the exhibition halls to see the presented works.