Baghdad: The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has taken a pioneering step by signing a contract with the Ministry of Communications to adopt digital signatures in its official transactions. This initiative is a part of a broader digital transformation and automation project, marking the ministry as the first in Iraq to implement such technology in its official dealings.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdul Hussein Al-Moussawi, emphasized during the signing ceremony the importance of digital signatures as a continuation of the ministry’s efforts towards digital transformation. The event, attended by Parliamentary Education Committee head Adel Al-Rikabi, underscored the ministry’s commitment to improving the higher education environment through automation and the modernization of educational procedures. The goal is to enhance performance, elevate the quality of educational outcomes, simplify procedures, and expedite transactions.
Al-Moussawi also highlighted that the ministry’s digital transformation project aligns with the government’s directives to build an integrated digital administrative environment. The collaboration with the Ministry of Communications adheres to legal frameworks and is consistent with the government’s program, adapting to technological advancements and modern management requirements.
Minister of Communications Mustafa Sand noted that adopting digital signatures is a significant step towards institutional integration among state entities. It symbolizes the transition to a fully integrated digital environment for official transactions, enhancing procedural efficiency and accuracy in line with modern government administration needs.
The contract was signed by Administrative Undersecretary Adnan Ibrahim for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and by Engineer Ali Yassin, Director General of the General Company for Communications and Informatics, for the Ministry of Communications.
The signing ceremony also featured an overview of the digital transformation and automation project’s main components at the Ministry of Higher Education. These digital systems, programs, and services have played a crucial role in developing institutional work mechanisms and improving services for students, faculty, and staff.
In a related discussion, Haider Abdul Dhahd, the Undersecretary for Scientific Research Affairs, outlined the Ministry’s plans to fulfill the requirements for comprehensive digital transformation and automation. He stressed that an integrated digital system necessitates effective digital connectivity between the Ministry, universities, faculty, staff, and students to ensure seamless data, procedure, and service integration.
The move towards digital signatures aligns with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s efforts to establish digital transactions and develop an integrated administrative and educational system through modern digital mechanisms.