Baghdad: Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed on Wednesday the activation of the role of private universities to contribute to the country’s economic and developmental progress.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister’s office stated in a press release that Al-Sudani chaired a meeting dedicated to reviewing the work of private universities and colleges. The meeting was attended by the Acting Minister of Higher Education, officials from relevant authorities, a number of advisors, the Director General of the Tax Authority, and the Director General of the Social Security Department at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

The statement noted that the meeting reviewed the private education system and its compliance with the law, as well as its adherence to the necessary conditions and requirements for educational excellence. It also addressed how to achieve coordination and integration between public and private universities to ensure the quality of the educational process.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of private universities in supporting and advancing the higher education system. He stressed the need to strengthen measures to develop and enhance private education so that it contributes to preparing qualified personnel for the various demands of the local labor market, in addition to keeping pace with global developments in the education sector.

According to the statement, the Prime Minister directed “the activation of the role of private universities to contribute to the country’s economic and developmental progress, through the collection of taxes, pension and social security contributions for faculty and staff.” He also instructed that a meeting be held with relevant parties in the private education sector, and that proposals concerning the affairs of private universities and colleges be prepared and submitted to him within ten days.