Under the patronage of the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in partnership with the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS), Al Mustaqbal University launched the activities of the EURAS Academy 2026 Forum, a major international academic event held for the first time in Iraq, with wide participation from higher education leaders, decision-makers, and academics from within and outside the country. The opening ceremony was attended by the Administrative Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Adnan Al-Jumaili; the President of EURAS and President of Istanbul Aydin University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydin; and the President of Al Mustaqbal University, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, in addition to a large number of Iraqi university presidents, vice presidents, deans, professors, and researchers. The forum opened with a speech delivered on behalf of the University President by the Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, Prof. Dr. Mudhafar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, who emphasized that hosting this international event reflects the advanced academic standing of Al Mustaqbal University and its leading role in promoting academic dialogue, international openness, and the development of strategic partnerships. He noted that the forum is being held amid rapid global transformations in higher education, particularly in the fields of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, quality assurance, and sustainability, which impose new responsibilities on universities to rethink their educational models and build next-generation universities. In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydin expressed his appreciation to Al Mustaqbal University and its leadership for the excellent organization and hospitality, affirming that EURAS Academy represents an effective platform for strengthening academic cooperation, internationalization, and building bridges between universities in Iraq, Turkey, Europe, and Asia. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Adnan Al-Jumaili highlighted the importance of international partnerships in advancing higher education, emphasizing the depth of Iraqi–Turkish cooperation and the need to benefit from global experiences to enhance the quality of university education. The forum is held under the theme “Quality, Sustainability, and Global Partnerships: Transforming Higher Education in the Middle East and North Africa”, and includes four specialized panel sessions addressing key issues related to governance and strategic leadership, quality culture, alignment of global standards with local contexts, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, internationalization, academic mobility, joint research, as well as sustainability pathways, green campus models, and the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into institutional university strategies. The opening ceremony also featured a distinguished artistic performance showcasing the civilization of Mesopotamia throughout the ages, conveying a cultural message that reflected the depth of Iraq’s historical heritage and its enduring role in the advancement of knowledge. In a media statement on the sidelines of the forum, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, President of Al Mustaqbal University, affirmed that hosting this important international event underscores the university’s commitment to strengthening cross-border academic partnerships and consolidating its position as a leading institution in supporting excellence and innovation, while actively contributing to shaping the future of higher education in Iraq and the region. Al-Mustaqbal University The First University in Iraq