His Excellency the President of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid hosted at Al-Salam Palace in Baghdad, His Excellency, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Abd Yaser Al-Aboudi.

Dr. Rashid reviewed the situation of Iraqi universities and colleges and the educational process in the country.

Mr. President stressed the importance of legislating laws that contribute in developing of education in the country and contributing in strengthening the condition of Iraqi universities.

Dr. Rashid highlighted the need to benefit from scholarships and fellowships for postgraduate studies provided by the Cyprus Institute to Iraqi students during the President of the Republic’s visit to Cyprus last December.

Mr. President called on to invest these opportunities in gaining expertise and developing the educational reality in the country through exchanging visits and developing ways of cooperation and coordination between Iraqi universities and their counterparts in the world.

 Dr. Rashid highlighted the necessity of developing and expanding the scholarship system in a way that encourages Iraqi students to continue their efforts in acquiring skills and experience.

For his part, Dr. Al-Aboudi reviewed the development of the educational reality at the level of teaching and the number of students and the achievement of Iraqi universities in the field of international ranking.

His Excellency highlighted the imminent entry of Iraqi universities into the Shanghai Ranking, as well as there are (1015) foreign students currently studying in Iraqi universities.

Dr. Al-Aboudi confirmed that work is underway to establish a zero-sum nuclear reactor to train students and transform it into a reactor that serves scientific research issues.

His Excellency demonstrated that there is coordination and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to work in this direction and to serve peaceful purposes, especially since Iraq has qualified scientists to restore its role in peaceful nuclear energy use.