Baghdad: Iraq has achieved the highest representation of universities in the Times Higher Education Arab Region University Rankings, as announced by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. This notable accomplishment highlights Iraq’s strong presence in the academic sector within the region.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research revealed on Thursday that the Times Higher Education has released the results of its 2026 Arab University Rankings. The rankings included participation from 268 institutions across 18 countries, showcasing the competitive academic landscape in the Arab world.

The ministry stated that the Times Higher Education website confirms Iraq’s leading position, with 57 Iraqi universities achieving positive results in this edition. This year, the rankings witnessed significant competition for Iraqi universities at the regional level, reflecting the country’s commitment to advancing its educational standards.

The ministry further explained that the methodology used by Times Higher Education for evaluating Arab universities is based on indicators similar to those in the global university rankings. These indicators include Teaching (29.5%), Research Environment (29%), Research Quality (30%), International Outlook (7.5%), and Industry (4%). This comprehensive evaluation framework provides a clear picture of the strengths and areas for development among the universities in the region.