Baghdad: The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in cooperation with Clarivate, organized a specialized workshop aimed at building a university system that effectively transforms knowledge into economic value. Attended by several university presidents and researchers, the event focused on advancing the traditional roles of universities in knowledge production.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Scientific Research Affairs, Haider Abdul Dhahd, discussed the necessity of developing integrated systems within universities to translate knowledge, scientific research, and innovation into economic value. He highlighted the Bologna Process as a crucial framework for enhancing higher education and aligning its outputs with necessary skills and competencies. Furthermore, he emphasized the role of technology parks in fostering innovation and facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology from academic institutions to productive sectors.

Haider Abdul Dhahd explained that creating a sustainable, knowledge-based economy requires a cohesive integration between universities, the labor market, and economic sectors, which would enable the practical application of educational and scientific research outputs to address developmental challenges. He urged Iraqi universities to actively participate in building this system and to establish partnerships with economic and technological institutions.

Dr. Alaa Abdul-Hassan Attia, President of the University of Baghdad, reiterated the importance of enhancing the university environment and bridging the gap between academic knowledge and its economic applications. He noted that this approach would provide more opportunities for researchers and students to transform their scientific ideas and findings into practical projects and solutions.

The workshop featured a lecture by Dr. Ayman Aqeel and Dr. Waleed Hassan from Clarivate, who discussed the foundational elements of building an integrated university system for economic transformation. They examined mechanisms for managing knowledge and innovation and connecting them with productive sectors and the labor market, while also reviewing several pertinent experiences and practices.