PM Al-Sudani Reviews Private University Performance

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani held a special meeting on Wednesday to assess the performance of private universities and colleges across Iraq, highlighting the government’s focus on strengthening regulatory supervision and enhancing educational standards in the private higher education sector.

Iraq currently has more than 65 licensed private universities and colleges operating across the country, reflecting the rapid expansion of the private higher education sector in recent years. In the Kurdistan Region, Tishk International and Cihan University in Erbil have expanded through multidisciplinary and applied programs. In Najaf, the University of Alkafeel has developed a strong focus on medical and health sciences, while Islamic University combines religious studies with social sciences. In Baghdad, Al-Esraa University College offers programs in medicine, dentistry, and engineering. Meanwhile, the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, which also operates a campus in Baghdad, follows an American-style liberal arts model.

The meeting brought together the Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Halo Mustafa al-Askari, senior representatives from government bodies, advisers, the Director General of the General Commission for Taxes Haider Ali Hussein, and the Director General of the Social Security Department at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Khuloud Hiran. Discussions centered around evaluating the operational frameworks for the private higher education institutions and their compliance with applicable laws and academic standards.

Officials reviewed whether private universities are meeting required regulatory conditions and maintaining academic rigor. The session also explored how the coordination and integration between public and private universities can be improved to ensure consistency in quality for the overall development of Iraq’s higher education system.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized the important role private universities play in expanding access to higher education and preparing graduates to meet the evolving demands of Iraq’s labor market. He stressed the importance of aligning academic programs with international advancements and ensuring institutions contribute effectively to building qualified national human capital.

Beyond academic performance, the meeting addressed the financial and legal responsibilities of private institutions. The Prime Minister directed authorities to ensure proper tax collection and the fulfillment of pension and social security obligations for faculty members and administrative staff. Concluding the session, Al-Sudani instructed relevant authorities to convene a follow-up meeting dedicated to formulating concrete proposals to address outstanding issues facing private universities and colleges. These recommendations are to be submitted to the Prime Minister within ten days.

The meeting comes amid longstanding concerns over the rapid expansion of Iraq’s private higher education sector, with critics warning that growth has at times outpaced regulatory oversight and quality assurance mechanisms. It signals renewed government efforts to strengthen oversight and align the sector’s growth with national development priorities.

Source: Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office