Al-Mustaqbal University (UOMUS), in collaboration with the Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Excellence (Previously known as Riyada Initiative ), operating under the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, has launched an intensive five-day training programme in Business Plan Development, running from 13 to 17 July 2025. The programme is designed to prepare graduates and students to lead with purpose in the fields of innovation and enterprise. The course brings together 22 students and recent graduates from across disciplines. The programme was formally inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Al-Zuhairy, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, who emphasised the value of embedding entrepreneurial education within Iraq’s evolving higher education landscape. Training is led by Ms. Omaima Al Taee, Head of Career Development Division, and a certified entrepreneurship trainer. Her sessions guide participants through key elements of business development including market analysis, financial planning, and strategic execution. This initiative forms part of UOMUS’s broader vision to empower youth not only to enter the workforce but to shape it—producing graduates capable of building solutions, launching ventures, and driving sustainable economic growth.

In alignment with the strategic directives of Professor Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, and as part of the university’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with the labor market and empower graduates, Ms. Omaima Al-Taie, Head of the Career Development Division, participated in the inaugural virtual focus group meeting of the Youth Empowerment Project. The session was organized by the Business Center of the Iraqi Federation of Industries, in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO – ITPO Italy) and Zest Group (Italy). The project aims to establish a specialized entity dedicated to empowering youth and supporting entrepreneurs. The meeting was attended by leading academic figures from various Iraqi universities, as well as the Federation’s President and Secretary-General. The agenda included a comprehensive presentation of the program’s strategic pillars and an in-depth look into Zest Group’s successful experience in nurturing innovative ideas, supporting startups, and integrating them into a sustainable and profitable economic ecosystem. Representatives from UNIDO and Mr. Matteo from Zest Group led the session, utilizing advanced digital tools to facilitate discussion, knowledge exchange, and real-time responses to participant inquiries. The dialogue emphasized the critical role Iraqi universities play in equipping youth with the necessary resources, technologies, and entrepreneurial skills to launch and sustain small and medium-sized enterprises. The meeting concluded with the exchange of insights and collaborative strategies to enhance youth empowerment and drive inclusive economic growth across Iraq.

It is considerable to note that Rehabilitation, Employment, and Follow-Up Division at Al-Mustaqbal University keeps on playing a pivotal role in supporting Students and enabling them to enter Labor Market by creating Job Opportunities that would match the various Academic Specializations. These efforts are deemed as part of a series of Strategic Partnerships that the Division has established with a selected group of Private Sector Companies across various fields, which include Medicine, Engineering, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Employment Services, and other vital sectors. Through this Initiative, the Division has aimed to strengthening Direct Communication between Students and Labor Market by providing a Unique QR Code for each Participating Company, allowing Students to access data and information related to available Services, Activities, as well as Job Opportunities. Thus, Students Professional Horizons shall be broadened, and meanwhile, gaining a closer understanding to Labor Market Demands. Besides, and part of this initiative, the Division has organized a Job Exhibition in collaboration with Partner Companies, during which a number of the University Students coming from different Programs have been employed. There is no doubt that this Practical Step shall lead to transforming Partnerships into Real Employment Opportunities. Accordingly, the Activity in question has received wide interest and participation from Students, due to creating tangible opportunities that would help Students and Graduates start their Careers in their Favorite Fields. Furthermore, it is considered a positive step toward equipping them with the Experiences and Skills needed while facing Labor Market Challenges. Finally, we should note that through this Initiative, Rehabilitation, Employment, and Follow-Up Division has been emphasizing its ongoing commitment to supporting Students Progress and developing their Abilities, in addition to effectively contributing in the establishment of a Sustainable Educational and Professional Environment that would keep pace with Modern Developments as well as meeting the needs of both Local and International Markets.

The overall training and awareness courses implemented by Al-Mustabal University regarding the Riyada initiative were not limited to introducing the initiative and the mechanisms for starting small projects, but rather extended to marketing ideas and transforming them into real projects or services based on added value, and thus the idea is applicable on the ground on the one hand and meets the market needs and the citizen's ambitions on the other hand. It is also important to classify graduates' projects into two types of projects: service and production projects. By service projects, we mean projects that are limited to providing non-material, i.e. intangible services, such as consulting services, for example, and technical support and advice. As for production projects, i.e. those that provide products that have a physical existence, of a service nature from some angle, these products have a service angle, but in terms of the goals and ultimate purpose for which they are obtained. Apart from these specifications, we point out that service projects are considered among the fastest growing industries in terms of potential revenues compared to other industries, such as retail or manufacturing; because they can be quickly expanded horizontally versus vertically. This means that service entrepreneurs have more leverage when it comes to negotiating service prices and contracts. Category: - Al-Mustabal University Graduates

Project Type: - Production Project Wood Production and Manufacturing Workshop Project Manager: - Abdullah Habib Location: - Babylon - Al-Hashimiyah District