Wasit University took part in the honoring ceremony for the winners of the Al-Ain Iraqi University Award for Academic Researchers in its fifth edition, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The participation came as part of the university’s commitment to promoting sustainable development goals through supporting scientific research and innovation.

The ceremony, held under the patronage and presence of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, celebrated distinguished researchers from various Iraqi universities and was attended by a number of university presidents and academics. In his speech, the Minister emphasized the ministry’s efforts to establish a culture of meaningful scientific research that contributes to societal advancement and strengthens the global presence of Iraqi universities. This is being achieved through two main tracks: improving the quality of scientific publishing and serving the community—both aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the areas of quality education, innovation, and partnerships for achieving these goals.

For his part, the President of Wasit University, Prof. Dr. Abbas Lafta Al-Aqabi, affirmed the university’s strong commitment to enhancing the research environment, believing in its vital role in finding sustainable solutions to societal challenges. He stressed the continuation of university support for researchers and the provision of all necessary resources to help develop research projects that align with sustainable development priorities.

The ceremony also included honoring several academic figures from Wasit University, including the University President Prof. Dr. Abbas Lafta Al-Aqabi, the Dean of the College of Education for Pure Sciences Prof. Dr. Ali Hussein Shua’a, and a faculty member from the College of Engineering, in recognition of their outstanding scientific achievements and contributions to research fields that support sustainable development goals.