The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Haidar Baha Al-Husseini, confirmed today, Thursday, the importance of developing students' capabilities and enhancing the vision of a productive university, as well as strengthening partnerships with the private sector to support scientific research and link educational outputs to labor market needs.
The ministry mentioned in a statement received by the news agency that this came during the University of Basra Council meeting, attended by the head of the Parliamentary Education Committee, Adel Al-Rakabi, Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani, University President Aqeel Fadel Al-Dahan, and members of the university council.
Al-Husseini stressed the necessity of building the scientific and professional capabilities of students, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills, as well as developing the academic environment and enhancing the independence of universities and their institutional partnerships, in line with development requirements and community needs.
He pointed out the importance of unifying efforts between the ministry, the university presidency, and its council to improve institutional performance, expand scientific and research cooperation, and address students' demands and needs, which contributes to stabilizing the university environment and enhancing the academic standing of the University of Basra.
The minister explained that the shift towards a productive university aims to develop the resources of academic institutions and invest their scientific and human potentials, emphasizing that this direction "does not mean collecting financial amounts from students," but rather seeks to enhance the productive, scientific, and applied research capabilities of universities.
He noted the possibility of activating investment partnerships with the private sector in various fields, including the development of medical complexes, educational hospitals, and university pharmacies, according to joint administrative and investment models that contribute to improving services and developing resources, as well as enhancing the potential of applied engineering colleges and strengthening the link between education and the labor market.
In the agricultural aspect, Al-Husseini emphasized the importance of reviving the agricultural initiative launched in 2012 and developing university specializations related to production and sustainable development, while considering the disparities in capabilities and financial resources among universities, and not overburdening institutions with limited funding with requirements that exceed their capabilities.
For his part, the head of the Parliamentary Education Committee, Adel Al-Rakabi, affirmed the importance of investing in student development and enhancing their scientific and practical capabilities, pointing out the harmony of the ministry's directions in developing universities and enhancing their developmental role with the vision of the Parliamentary Education Committee.
In turn, Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani pointed to the economic components that the province possesses, including oil resources, border crossings, marine and river capabilities, and industrial sectors, confirming that these provide ample opportunities for partnerships between universities and the private sector and support productive sectors.
Al-Eidani announced the launch of an initiative to equip the College of Agriculture at the University of Basra with 150 refrigerated agricultural houses, aiming to support practical applications and scientific research, expand training opportunities and scientific experiments for students and researchers, and enhance the agricultural and productive capabilities of the university.