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.

As part of the ongoing series of virtual seminars organized by the World Bank in collaboration with the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Career Development Division at Al-Mustaqbal University actively participated in a specialized webinar titled: "Renewable Energy Skills: Labor Market Demands and Enhancing Graduate Readiness" This knowledge-sharing series is designed to empower Iraqi universities to keep pace with global transformations in the energy sector, and to enhance graduate competencies aligned with future labor market needs—particularly within the realms of the green economy and environmental transition. The session featured a keynote lecture by Dr. Cornelia Jesse, an international expert in higher education development and policy planning within European contexts. Dr. Jesse serves at the French Ministry of Higher Education, where she contributes to the development of strategic education policies that align academic programs with labor market demands—particularly in the fields of innovation and sustainability. Key discussion topics included: Core skills required for emerging careers in the renewable energy sector Strategies for adapting academic curricula to meet evolving labor market needs The role of academia–industry partnerships in preparing students for the green workforce Insights from the French experience in graduate tracer systems and aligning higher education with the green transition Al-Mustaqbal University’s Career Development Division reaffirms its commitment to integrating such forward-thinking practices into its professional training and career-readiness strategies. By engaging in these impactful initiatives, the division aims to ensure that graduates are equipped to contribute meaningfully to national and global sustainability and clean energy priorities.

As part of its commitment to enhancing the alignment between higher education outcomes and labor market needs, career development division at Al-Mustaqbal University participated in an interactive virtual workshop organized by the World Bank via Zoom, titled: "Why Is Graduate Tracing Important? And What Are the Global Best Practices?" The session featured distinguished contributions from international education policy experts, including: Romina Miorelli – an international expert in graduate tracking and education policy. Cornelia Jesse – a representative of the French Ministry of Higher Education, specializing in bridging higher education with European labor market demands. The workshop focused on analyzing the three main models of graduate tracking systems — administrative, survey-based, and hybrid — examining the advantages and challenges of each, particularly in changing economic contexts. The French model was highlighted as a leading international example for managing and analyzing graduate data by field of study, institution, and academic level. Participants discussed the strategic use of graduate data in shaping academic policy, guiding students toward high-demand disciplines, and fostering data-driven improvements in graduate outcomes. The importance of involving all stakeholders — including students, alumni, and policymakers — was emphasized as key to building effective, sustainable tracking systems. At the conclusion of the workshop, the career development division at Al-Mustaqbal University reaffirmed its commitment to implementing these best practices through the development of a national digital graduate tracking platform, in collaboration with university faculties and relevant institutions. This initiative aims to improve the university’s graduate outcome performance and enhance alignment with both local and international labor market demands.

Al-Mustaqbal University has achieved first place among all Iraqi public and private universities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, securing a global position within the 201–300 band out of 2,526 participating universities from 130 countries around the world. In a groundbreaking accomplishment, the university also ranked first globally in SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, in addition to attaining high global rankings in several other Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Congratulations to Al-Mustaqbal University on this remarkable achievement, which represents an important step toward global recognition