During the official inauguration ceremony, which was held in Al-Gharraf University Complex, His Excellency, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Abd Yaser Al-Aboudi confirmed that the need to establish and develop universities is no longer a luxury or an attempt to fill the spaces in some cities, but rather it is a strategic necessity for development, rehabilitation and meeting the increasing demand for Higher Education.

Dr. Al-Aboudi called on forming a Higher Ministerial Committee to study the indicators of the Governorates’ need for new universities and to develop short, medium and long-term plans to accommodate the increasing population growth.

His Excellency added that Thi-Qar Governorate comes within the category that requires specific treatments to bridge the gap between the outputs of secondary school and the actual capacity of universities in it.

Dr. Al-Aboudi that Al-Shatrah University will add to Higher Education’s institutions a new impetus towards achieving academic goals according to ambitious programs and plans that are compatible with comprehensive development aspirations.

His Excellency highlighted that the Inauguration of Al-Shatrah public University will enhance the work streams of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which proceeds with confidence towards adopting effective educational systems so that a balance is achieved between quantity and quality in the university educational equation, which must be characterized by quality, flexibility, and the ability to keep pace with the movement of science and knowledge and anticipate its future prospects.

Dr. Al-Aboudi concluded the inauguration ceremony by honoring a number of personalities and staffs who had a positive contribution in completing the project's workshops and achieving the required integration.

For his part, the President of Al-Shatrah University, Dr. Bassem Abd Al-Hussein Jarallah expressed his appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Abd Yaser Al-Aboudi for sponsoring this file and His Excellency keenness on putting steps to reach the announcement of the official inauguration of the university.

It is worth mentioning that the inauguration was attended by a number of officials of the Governorate.