In a move that strengthens cooperation between academic and governmental institutions to address environmental challenges, almustaqbal University today welcomed His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Dr. Helo Al-Askari. The visit aimed to review the university's unique initiatives in the areas of environmental protection, combating desertification, adapting to climate change, and achieving sustainable development goals.
The Minister's visit included a tour of several of the university's pioneering centers and projects. He visited the Future Center for Renewable Energy Research, where he viewed the latest equipment and technologies used to support studies and research in clean and sustainable energy. The tour also included the Artificial Intelligence Research Center, where he viewed projects that employ artificial intelligence to address environmental challenges. Perhaps the most notable feature that caught the Minister's attention was the nature reserve established by the university to preserve biodiversity, an unprecedented initiative among Iraqi universities. In a statement to the media, His Excellency the Minister expressed his great admiration for the genuine efforts and practical practices within the university, saying: "What we witnessed today at the University of the almustaqbal is a living example of the vital role universities can play in protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development. The initiatives we have seen reflect a forward-looking vision and high institutional responsibility, and we at the Ministry of Environment consider this university a strategic partner in implementing national environmental policies." He added: "The University of the almustaqbal is today an honorable national model, a source of pride for all Iraqis, and we call on other universities to emulate its unique experience and open up to environmental and climate change issues from a scientific and applied perspective." His Excellency the Minister and the accompanying ministerial delegation, which included the Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs and a number of directors-general and officials from the Ministry and the Babylon Environment, were received by Professor Muzaffar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, and Assistant Professor Dr. Abbas Al-Bawi, Scientific Assistant, in addition to a number of deans, department heads, and professors, including Dr. Haider Al-Dulaimi, Dean of the College of Administrative Sciences.
For his part, Dr. Al-Zuhairi welcomed the visiting delegation, emphasizing in his speech that this visit represents significant support for the scientific and academic efforts of the university. He pointed out that Al-Mustaqbal University believes that education is inseparable from societal and environmental issues, and places this among its strategic priorities. He added, "Thanks to this approach, we have achieved first place among Iraqi universities in the Times Higher Education Impact 2025 rankings for Sustainable Development, and the university has excelled globally in the SDG 7 clean energy pillar, an achievement that reflects the university's deep commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals." He also emphasized the importance of partnering with the Ministry of Environment to launch joint programs and projects focused on environmental awareness, developing research cadres, and supporting national policies to combat climate change and desertification.

almustaqbal University is ranked first among private universities.