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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.