07 March، 2026
Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD) recently convened a panel discussion titled "The Prospects of Private Higher Education in Iraq." The event featured distinguished speakers, including Dr. Hasan Shakir Majdi, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, and Professor Emeritus Dr. Abdul-Amir Zahid, a member of the Advisory Board at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Moderated by media personality Mr. Adnan Al-Sudani, the session was held in the Al-Salam Hall at the Center's headquarters in the holy city of Najaf and was attended by a diverse academic audience from both public and private universities.

The session was characterized by an intensive dialogue regarding the state and challenges of private higher education in Iraq. The discussion addressed the viability of private universities and the role, whether beneficial or detrimental, they might play within the national educational landscape, particularly in light of the significant challenges confronting the public education system.

Furthermore, the panel examined the extent to which scholarly research from private universities contributes to resolving the nation's pressing issues. A central topic of conversation was the imperative to strategically re-evaluate the function, significance, and distribution of university research centers. It was argued that their allocation should correspond to specific regional needs to ensure their maximum impact and utility.

This event is a significant part of the ongoing series of discussions hosted by Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue, which explores various fields with a particular emphasis on the educational and scientific domains.