History of the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR)

1. History of the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) • Independent at start ,University of Baghdad attached to Prime Minister’s Council. • In (1966-1967) established Basrah & Mosel universities. They were linked to Baghdad university as separate campuses at first ; 2 years later they became independent and 2 presidents were appointed. • The first Iraqi private university was Al-Mustansiriya university in the late 60’s. • The Ministry was established in 1970.

2. 1957

3. Baghdad U. Mustansiriya U. Mosul U. Basra U. 1968

4. Baghdad U. Mustansiriya U. Mousl U. Basra U. Technology U. Sulaymania U. 1975

5. The organization of technical institutes was established in the early 80’s with 11 institutes all over Iraq. • In 1988 four new universities were established in the central region of Iraq. • New universities were established consecutively in all major cities (18 province capitals) the latest established is Missan university and Muthana university. • Presently five universities in Baghdad, four in Kurdistan, and 13 others in all major cities of Iraq. • There are nearly 35 technical colleges , institutions, and nearly 42 research centers or research institutions attached to the universities.

6. Independent universities at first . • When Ministry established: • A central budget distributed by ministry to universities. • Administration of universities nearly independent (appointments-central, other matters–university authority). • In 1980’s as the Iran-Iraq war broke up things became more centralized.

7. After the first American war on Iraq as well as lack of funds things became more centralized and activities were literally stagnant. • After 2003 there are calls ( mostly politically motivated) to disengaged the universities from the Ministry and a few calls for the cancellation of the Ministry. This is very unrealistic and non-feasible basically for three main reasons: • Centralized ministerial budget from a central government. • Centralized student applications and acceptance. • Unified rules and regulations that apply for all universities.

8. Future Outlook • Rebuilding the infrastructure of all universities and research centers. • Upgrading the academic standards of teaching and research methods. • Decentralizing the administrative policy. • Decentralizing the students acceptance policy.

9. Minister Minister’s offices Iraqi medical board D.G’s Deputies Technical institution Advisers Technical colleges Planning University presidents Technical institutes Research Administration Cultural relations College deans Univ.-administration Evaluation Construction Research centers Inspector

10. Baghdad U. Mustansiriya U. Mousl U. Basra U. Technology U. Sulaymania U. Tikrit U. Anbar U. Babil U. Qadisiya U. Nahrain U. Islamia U. 1988

11. Universities 2007 Duhouk U. Erbil U. Koya U. Mosul U. Sulaymania U. Kirkuk U. Tikrit U. Dayala U. Anbar U. Wasit U. Babil U. Karbala U. Missan U. Kufa U. Qadisiya U. Basra U. Muthana U. Thi-Kar U.

12. Institutes 2007 Duhouk I. Erbil I. Mosul I. Sulaymania I. Kirkuk I. Tikrit I. Ba’qubah I. Ramadi I. Kut I. Hillah I. Karbala I. Amarah I. Kufa I. Najaf I. Shatrah I. Diwaniyah I. Basra I. Samawah I. Nasiriyah I.