Under the patronage and presence of His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Dr. Halo Al-Askari, and during his official visit to Al-Mustaqbal University, a joint scientific Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two parties. This initiative aligns with the directives of the University President, Professor Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and reflects the university's significant achievements, practices, and research efforts in the field of sustainability and partnership development.
Key Areas of Collaboration
The MoU outlines several areas of mutual interest and cooperation, including:
Supporting environmental research and studies
Providing scientific consultations and environmental impact reports
Hosting joint conferences and workshops
Implementing training programs to build environmental capacities
Raising awareness about the importance of adopting sound environmental practices to ensure sustainability
Conducting environmental surveys and promoting related activities and events via both parties' websites and media channels
Opening Remarks and Mutual Appreciation
The signing ceremony began with a welcoming speech by Professor Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision at the university, in which he welcomed the Minister and his accompanying delegation. He emphasized that this MoU represents a genuine starting point for fruitful cooperation in environmental protection, reducing pollution and emissions, and lowering the carbon footprint, especially amid the escalating global climate challenges.
In his remarks, His Excellency the Minister of Environment expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the university leadership, represented by Professor Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, and the distinguished academic staff for their warm hospitality. He praised the university’s pioneering environmental initiatives and successful practical experiences, stating:
What we have witnessed today at Al-Mustaqbal University is a source of pride. The university stands as a living model of sustainability—not only theorizing but also translating ideas into tangible actions that positively impact both the environment and society."
Honoring the Minister and International Recognition
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Professor Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, on behalf of the University President, presented the Al-Mustaqbal University Shield to His Excellency the Minister. He also handed him an official certificate awarded to the university by Times Higher Education (THE), recognizing Al-Mustaqbal University as the top-ranked university globally in SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, according to THE Impact Rankings 2025. This remarkable achievement marks the first of its kind among Iraqi and Arab universities.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Environment for Administrative Affairs, several governmental officials from the environmental departments of the Middle Euphrates region and Babylon Province, Assistant Professor Dr. Abbas Al-Bawi, the university’s Vice President for Scientific Affairs, as well as deans, department heads, and faculty members.