Under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in partnership with the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS), Al-Mustaqbal University witnessed the launch of the EURAS Academy 2026 Forum, an international scientific event being held for the first time in Iraq, with the participation of a distinguished group of higher education leaders, decision-makers, and academics from inside and outside the country. The opening ceremony was attended by the representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs, Professor Dr. Adnan Al-Jumaili; the President of EURAS and President of Istanbul Aydin University, Professor Dr. Mustafa Aydin; and the President of Al-Mustaqbal University, Professor Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, along with a large number of Iraqi university presidents, vice presidents, deans, professors, and researchers. The forum’s activities commenced with a speech by the Presidency of Al-Mustaqbal University, delivered on behalf of the University President by the Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, Professor Dr. Muzaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi. In his address, he emphasized that hosting this international event reflects the advanced academic standing of Al-Mustaqbal University and its pioneering role in promoting scientific dialogue, international openness, and the building of strategic partnerships. He noted that the forum is being held amid rapid global transformations in the higher education sector, particularly in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, quality assurance, and sustainability, and the responsibilities these changes impose on universities to rethink their educational models and build next-generation universities. For his part, Professor Dr. Mustafa Aydin expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Al-Mustaqbal University and its leadership for the excellent organization and hosting of this international forum, affirming that EURAS Academy represents an effective platform for enhancing academic cooperation, internationalization, and building bridges between universities in Iraq, Turkey, Europe, and Asia. Meanwhile, the Undersecretary of the Ministry, Professor Dr. Adnan Al-Jumaili, stressed the importance of international partnerships in advancing higher education, pointing to the depth of Iraqi–Turkish cooperation and the necessity of benefiting 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 Region,” and includes four specialized panel sessions addressing key issues related to governance, strategic leadership, and quality culture; aligning global standards with local contexts; digital transformation and artificial intelligence; as well as 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 activities also featured a distinguished artistic performance showcasing the civilization of Mesopotamia across the ages, delivering a cultural message that reflected the depth of Iraq’s civilizational heritage and its historic role in the creation of knowledge. In a statement to the media outlets covering the event, the President of Al-Mustaqbal University, Professor Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, affirmed that hosting this important international event reflects the University’s commitment to strengthening cross-border academic partnerships and consolidating its position as a leading university in supporting excellence and innovation, and in contributing to shaping the future of higher education in Iraq and the region. University of Al-Mustaqbal – The First University in Iraq