Al-Mustaqbal University Launches the International EURAS Academy 2026 Forum under the Patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education with Broad Local and International Participation Under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in partnership with the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS), Al-Mustaqbal University hosted the opening of the EURAS Academy 2026 Forum—an international academic event held for the first time in Iraq, with the participation of a distinguished group of higher education leaders, policymakers, and academics from Iraq and abroad. The opening ceremony was attended by the representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs, 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 Shakir Majdi, along with a large number of Iraqi university presidents, vice presidents, deans, professors, and researchers. The forum began with a speech delivered on behalf of the President of Al-Mustaqbal University by the Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, who emphasized that hosting this international event reflects Al-Mustaqbal University’s advanced academic standing and its leading role in promoting scientific dialogue, international openness, and strategic partnerships. He noted that the forum comes at a time of rapid global transformations in higher education, particularly in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, quality assurance, and sustainability—developments that require universities to rethink their educational models and build next-generation universities. In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydin expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Al-Mustaqbal University and its leadership for the excellent organization and hosting of the forum, affirming that EURAS Academy serves as an effective platform for enhancing academic cooperation, internationalization, and building bridges between universities in Iraq, Türkiye, Europe, and Asia. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Adnan Al-Jumaili stressed the importance of international partnerships in advancing higher education, highlighting the depth of Iraqi–Turkish cooperation and the need to benefit from global experiences to improve 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, aligning global standards with local contexts, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, internationalization, academic mobility, and joint research. The discussions also extend to sustainability pathways, green campus models, and the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into universities’ institutional strategies. The opening ceremony featured a distinctive artistic performance showcasing the civilization of Mesopotamia throughout history, conveying a cultural message that reflected the depth of Iraq’s heritage and its historical role in the production of knowledge. In statements to the media covering the event, the President of Al-Mustaqbal University, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, affirmed that hosting this important international forum demonstrates the university’s commitment to strengthening cross-border academic partnerships and consolidating its position as a leading institution in supporting excellence and innovation, while contributing to shaping the future of higher education in Iraq and the region. Al-Mustaqbal University ranks first among private universities in Iraq.