The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced the inclusion of two Iraqi universities in the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2026.

Deputy for Scientific Research Affairs, Prof. Dr. Haider Abed Dhahad said that the inclusion of two Iraqi universities in this prestigious global ranking represents a significant academic achievement.

Prof. Dr. Haider Abed Dhahad added that it reflects the ongoing efforts to elevate the standards of Iraqi universities and strengthen their presence on the international academic stage.

The Deputy reviewed that this achievement is the fruit of the Iraqi universities' vision prioritizing quality, excellence, and global competitiveness and a tangible result of the efforts made by university leadership, faculty members, and researchers to build academic institutions capable of competing internationally.

Prof. Dr. Haider Abed Dhahad highlighted that the GRAS 2026 ranking saw the entry of Al-Ain University (Iraq) in the (Water Resources Engineering) subject area, and Warith Al-Anbiyaa University in the (Energy Science & Engineering) subject area.

The Deputy demonstrated that the ranking relies on nine scientific and academic indicators, drawing data from the Web of Science (Clarivate) platform one of the most prominent and reliable sources for scientific data.

Prof. Dr. Haider Abed Dhahad emphasized the importance of continuing research and academic efforts to further enhance the presence of Iraqi universities in global rankings.

Media and Government Communication Directorate

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

September 15, 2026