Administrative Divisions Department of Cultural Relations
University of Al-Mustaqbal has achieved a historic and groundbreaking milestone by ranking first globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings under Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy for All). The announcement was made today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during the official ceremony held in Istanbul as part of the Times Higher Education’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Impact Rankings. This global achievement marks the first time an Arab university has led in this SDG and stands as a historic first for Iraq in the history of global university rankings. In addition to this exceptional ranking in SDG 7, University of Al-Mustaqbal also secured the number one position in Iraq, and was ranked in the 200–300 band globally across all SDGs—representing the highest placement ever achieved by an Iraqi university in the Times Impact Rankings for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The official announcement of the full rankings will take place tomorrow during the 2025 SDG Universities Summit, hosted by Times Higher Education. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, President of University of Al-Mustaqbal, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Azher Mohsen Abd, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technologies and Head of the Energy Axis, for their leadership and commitment to sustainable innovation. This outstanding achievement is a testament to the hard work of our academic and administrative teams, students, and everyone who contributed to this global success. Congratulations to the entire University of Al-Mustaqbal community!
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Times Higher Education (THE) officially announced the results of the Impact Rankings 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious university rankings focused on evaluating higher education institutions’ performance in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In a landmark achievement, University of Al-Mustaqbal was ranked first among all Iraqi universities—both public and private—solidifying its position as a national leader in sustainable development and academic excellence. This accomplishment reinforces the university’s growing reputation regionally and internationally as a forward-thinking institution dedicated to transformative, sustainable progress. Globally, University of Al-Mustaqbal was placed within the 201–300 band out of 2,526 universities representing 130 countries across all continents—a record-breaking level of competition for this year’s edition. The university stood out with exceptional performance in several SDGs, most notably achieving Rank 1 Worldwide in SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, outperforming prestigious institutions from Europe, the Americas, and Asia. This historic result demonstrates the significant impact Iraqi universities can have on critical global challenges, particularly in renewable energy and environmental sustainability. In addition to SDG 7, the university earned high placements in several other SDGs: • SDG 1 (No Poverty): 1st in Iraq | 101–200 globally • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being): 2nd in Iraq | 101–200 globally • SDG 4 (Quality Education): 1st in Iraq | 201–300 globally • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): 1st in Iraq | 60th globally • SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): 1st in Iraq and 1st globally • SDG 13 (Climate Action): 1st in Iraq | 201–300 globally • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): 1st in Iraq | 101–200 globally This remarkable success is the result of a clear strategic vision that placed sustainable development at the core of the university’s mission. University of Al-Mustaqbal has effectively aligned its academic, administrative, and operational systems with global sustainability standards, while actively involving its academic community and students in high-impact initiatives addressing all dimensions of sustainable development. Commenting on the achievement, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, President of University of Al-Mustaqbal, stated: “We are proud of this historic achievement, which confirms that our university is confidently moving toward global recognition. University of Al-Mustaqbal is no longer just a local academic institution—it has become a model for excellence in sustainable development and quality education. We have successfully built an integrated environment that fosters creativity, drives innovation, and contributes to knowledge production aimed at solving both local and global challenges. This ranking reflects the tremendous efforts of our faculty, researchers, students, and administrative teams.” This milestone marks a turning point in the university’s journey, highlighting its growing influence both locally and globally. It confirms the university’s emergence as a key player in sustainable education in the Middle East and underscores its commitment to integrating education, research, and community service. Through strong international partnerships with leading universities and research centers, University of Al-Mustaqbal is well-positioned to achieve even greater innovation and progress in the years to come.
As part of its strategic vision to strengthen its international academic presence and reaffirm its deep commitment to sustainable development, Future University participated in the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC 2025), organized by Times Higher Education—one of the world’s most trusted authorities in higher education rankings. The prestigious event was held in Istanbul, Turkey, from June 16 to 19, 2025. This high-profile global forum serves as a platform to align higher education with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It brought together leading universities, academic institutions from across continents, as well as high-level representatives from ministries of education, international organizations, and UN-led sustainability initiatives. The opening day featured a rich agenda of expert-led sessions addressing strategic issues related to the future of higher education. The discussions included university leaders, ranking and quality assurance specialists, researchers in artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and environmental science, policy consultants, UN representatives, and emerging youth leaders in sustainability. Key topics included redefining the role of education in promoting social justice, integrating SDGs into university policies, the future of smart classrooms, the intersection of education, research, and industry, the role of AI in environmental protection, and the current challenges facing higher education amid global crises. The congress also saw the launch of a UN report on the state of sustainability in higher education institutions across the MENA region, along with the opening of a global exhibition showcasing innovative practices in green transformation and sustainable university governance. Future University was represented by an official delegation of specialists in global rankings and quality assurance. The participation aligns with the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance its international competitiveness, engage with leading global experiences, and localize best practices in education, research, and sustainable partnerships. This participation underscores the university’s unwavering commitment to its societal and developmental role and reflects its proactive approach in shaping the future of higher education through active involvement in international dialogue—solidifying its status as a pioneering academic institution both regionally and globally.
In alignment with the directives of Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, President of AL-Mustaqbal University, to strengthen international partnerships through engagement with leading global universities and relevant international organizations and alliances in higher education, AL-Mustaqbal University participated in the 6th regular virtual meeting of the EURAS Board of Directors. The meeting was held via videoconference and chaired by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of Istanbul Aydın University and Chairman of the EURAS Board, with the participation of several university presidents and representatives from member institutions. AL-Mustaqbal University was represented by Prof. Dr. Mudhaffar Sadiq Al-Zuheiri, on behalf of University President Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, as a member of the EURAS Board of Directors, along with Dr. Sameer Ibrahim Badrawi, Director of the International Relations Department at the university presidency. The meeting agenda included a review of the outcomes of the previous session and discussions on enhancing collaboration among member institutions. Particular focus was given to the activities of specialized committees and platforms, especially in the areas of scientific research, sustainability, international partnerships, and student affairs. The recently launched “NextGen Students” platform was also highlighted, with AL-Mustaqbal University’s representative selected as one of nine core team members overseeing its development—an honor reflecting the university’s active role within the EURAS network of over 150 institutions. During the meeting, Prof. Al-Zuheiri conveyed the greetings of Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi to the participants and affirmed AL-Mustaqbal University’s active involvement in the upcoming Sustainable Development Congress 2025, scheduled to take place in Istanbul in mid-June. He also emphasized the continued engagement of AL-Mustaqbal University students participating in the NextGen Platform, where they are exchanging experiences with peers from fellow EURAS member universities worldwide. The EURAS Chairman commended AL-Mustaqbal University for its distinguished contributions and consistent engagement with the Union’s initiatives, noting its dynamic participation and valuable input. Furthermore, the Chairman welcomed AL-Mustaqbal University’s offer to host the EURIE Academy 2025, which is planned for early in the next academic year, highlighting the university’s growing role in the Union’s strategic agenda. Looking ahead, the meeting underscored the Union’s plans to involve member universities in several major international projects funded by the European Union and the World Bank, focusing on sustainable development and addressing regional and global challenges—particularly those concerning the Eastern Mediterranean region.
AL-Mustaqbal University has achieved a new milestone in high-impact scientific publishing. The University President, Professor Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, announced that the university has secured the first place among all private universities in Iraq in terms of research output, and second place nationally, following the University of Baghdad, in the number of publications in top-tier Q1 journals. According to the latest data released by Scopus, which included publication statistics from over 200 Iraqi universities and research institutions, AL-Mustaqbal University published 2,131 Q1 papers between 2017 and 2025. This places it second only to the University of Baghdad, which recorded 2,785 Q1 publications, while the University of Technology came third, followed by the universities of Sulaymaniyah, Basrah, and Al-Mustansiriya. In addition, AL-Mustaqbal University ranked first among private universities in terms of total research output, with 5,181 papers indexed in the Scopus database. The university also achieved significant recognition in terms of scholarly impact. According to the SciVal analytics platform, AL-Mustaqbal University received 45,382 citations and achieved a Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) score of 1.52, indicating that its research is cited 52% more than the global average in its respective fields. This metric reflects not only the quality of the university’s research but also the strength of its international research collaborations. The university administration attributes these achievements to its strategic focus on fostering a robust and supportive research environment. This includes providing faculty members with the necessary resources and incentives to produce high-quality research that is published in Q1 and Q2 journals, thereby enhancing the standing of higher education in Iraq and aligning with the Ministry of Higher Education’s vision for academic excellence. In a statement to the university’s media office, Professor Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi expressed his appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the university’s faculty and researchers, emphasizing that such accomplishments are the result of their commitment and scholarly excellence. He reaffirmed the university’s ongoing support for all initiatives aimed at elevating its academic reputation—especially in the field of scientific research.
AL-Mustaqbal University has achieved a new academic milestone by securing a place among the top ten Iraqi universities in terms of research citations, according to the latest report from the global Web of Science database. The university ranked third, following the University of Baghdad and the University of Technology, with a total of 29,885 citations recorded for its research output over the past five years. It was followed by the universities of Babylon, Al-Mustansiriyah, Basrah, Anbar, Kufa, Mosul, and Al-Nahrain, which occupied the fourth through tenth positions, respectively. In a statement to the university’s media office, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, President of AL-Mustaqbal University, praised this accomplishment, stating: “This achievement is the result of the tremendous efforts made by our faculty and researchers. It reflects the high quality of scientific output produced by the university, as well as the impact of our international academic and research collaborations, which have played a significant role in elevating the university’s standing in global academic circles.” He added: “We remain committed to fostering a strong research environment and promoting a culture of rigorous academic publishing, believing that research is a fundamental pillar for advancing higher education in Iraq.” It is also worth noting that the Web of Science database ranked AL-Mustaqbal University third in terms of total research output from 2020 to 2024, with 3,179 published papers—highlighting the university’s rapid growth in research performance in recent years.
As part of its ongoing efforts to elevate academic performance and foster global engagement, the Office of Scientific and Academic Supervision at AL-Mustaqbal University held a key coordination meeting, attended by Prof. Dr. Muzafar Sadiq Al-Zuhairi, Director of Scientific and Academic Supervision, alongside representatives from departments of Scientific Affairs, Quality Assurance, Cultural Relations, Studies and Planning, Sustainability, National and International Rankings, Continuing Education, and Women’s Affairs. Prof. Dr. Al-Zuhairi opened the meeting by referencing the recent directives issued by the University President, Prof. Dr. Hassan Shaker Majdi, which emphasized the importance of activating the newly signed agreements with prominent international universities. He called on liaison officers in the colleges and departments to take the initiative in facilitating communication with partner institutions, thereby promoting academic and research collaboration in areas of mutual interest. The meeting also underscored the importance of systematically documenting all academic and cultural events and activities, and developing a well-structured and realistic action plan for upcoming programs, ensuring their timely execution in alignment with the university’s annual strategic goals. In a related context, attendees stressed the need to enhance the quality of content published on the university’s official websites, as these platforms serve as a primary gateway to the global academic community and play a significant role in strengthening the university’s presence in international rankings. The meeting also highlighted the importance of promptly responding to official correspondence and ministry directives, completing them within the designated timelines—reflecting the university’s commitment to professionalism and organizational excellence. This meeting reflects AL-Mustaqbal University’s firm commitment to continuous development, quality enhancement, and global outreach, reinforcing its position as a leading academic institution both nationally and internationally.
Professor Dr. Hasan Shakir Majdi, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, welcomed a high-level academic delegation from Mansoura University in the Arab Republic of Egypt, headed by Professor Dr. Sherif Youssef Khater, President of Mansoura University, accompanied by Professor Dr. Tarek Mostafa Ghalloush, the President’s Scientific Assistant, as part of ongoing efforts to foster academic cooperation between the two institutions. Following the official reception, the President of Al-Mustaqbal University led the visiting delegation on an extensive campus tour, which included several key university facilities. The visit highlighted the university’s pioneering initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as its exemplary infrastructure designed to meet the highest global standards—smart, sustainable, and future-ready. The tour included modern lecture halls equipped to support various contemporary learning models, in addition to advanced scientific laboratories outfitted with state-of-the-art technologies sourced from leading global manufacturers. These facilities play a vital role in delivering high-quality education and hands-on training aligned with labor market demands, while providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging academic environment. The delegation also visited several university colleges to observe the ongoing final examinations. In a statement to the university’s media office, Dr. Sherif Youssef Khater commended the high level of organization, discipline, and the calm atmosphere during exams. He also praised the university’s dynamic development efforts and the significant progress observed throughout the campus. At the conclusion of the visit, the President of Mansoura University expressed his deep admiration for Al-Mustaqbal University’s achievements and visionary initiatives, wishing the institution continued success and advancement in its academic journey.