Baghdad – IA – Wissam Al-Mulla
Today, Monday, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Naeem Al-Aboudi, announced the achievement of the ministry’s goals for sustainable development, and while he indicated efforts to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and the labor market, he directed to remove the bureaucratic procedures that may stand in the way of the work of technological incubators.
Al-Aboudi said at the first conference of technological and scientific incubators, which was attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “In the midst of this direct interest in the sustainable development file, we meet in a new development space that represents a vital link between higher education, its outcomes, and the labor market, in addition to its contribution to supporting innovation.” And entrepreneurship and promoting national economic development,” stressing the need for “these technological and scientific incubators to be a qualitative field in our universities to develop capabilities, support entrepreneurship, and provide a package of their services and resources to help transform the innovative ideas of our youth and students into successful entrepreneurial projects.”
He added, “The Ministry of Education made a determined effort to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and the labor market, and was keen to frame this vision through the ninth amendment to the law of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which opened the way for establishing technological and scientific incubators in universities,” noting that, “based on This conference, we will spare no effort until we achieve the goals of this pioneering policy that aims to involve young people who are able to contribute to strengthening the national economy by embodying scientific and research knowledge in the form of pioneering, productive and innovative projects that are consistent with the goals of sustainable development.”
He stressed “the necessity of overcoming the bureaucratic procedures that may face the first steps in the work of these technological incubators, strengthening contexts of cooperation between universities and society, developing opportunities for interaction between these two areas, bridging the gap between the theoretical and practical aspects, and meeting labor market variables and development requirements.”
He stated that “our Iraqi government places the development file among its highest priorities and at the forefront of its direct attention, as stipulated in its ministerial program and platform,” pointing out that “the global strategy for sustainable development in which Iraq participates, which extends until 2030, has made the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research at the forefront of national institutions.” Which has a qualitative space to influence in the field of community service and embody the highest level of commitment to performing its tasks in the field of sustainable development and to advance its policy, research and achievements within the areas of excellence and to ensure the advancement of its programs and curricula within the quality environment and to strengthen the links of partnership and integration with the competent international organizations and various state institutions.”
He stated that “the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research achieved its goals in this path,” noting that “the outputs of our educational institutions were and are still effective and influential in societal issues and make a serious contribution to the production and formulation of academic methodological solutions and the analysis of development phenomena and problems.”
He continued, “Working in the spirit of one team and distributing loads and responsibilities in accordance with the components and standards of quality management ultimately led to a distinguished level of performance and the desired results that culminated in Iraq ranking seventh globally and first in the Arab world in the Times Sustainable Development Classification for the year 2024,” praising “the attention, care and follow-up.” From the respected Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, for the achievements of institutions of higher education and scientific research in international classifications and forums.”
He extended his thanks to the Parliamentary Higher Education Committee, which has promised us to be a partner and supporter of the Ministry and its universities, and to the employees of the Ministry and universities, in order to continue to impart knowledge and science, perform their duties with dedication and sincerity, face challenges with high responsibility, and achieve what we all aspire to in terms of programmatic and institutional development.”
