Chargé d’Affaires Meets Delegation from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to Enhance Academic Cooperation

The Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Kuala Lumpur, Counsellor Ahmed Ghanim AbdulJabbar, received on 16 December 2025 an academic delegation from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), comprising Dr. Abdul Rahim Ahmed, Director of the West Asia Studies Center, and Dr. Ramzi Arifin, Director of the Islamic Civilization Center and President of the Association of Muslim Graduates of Middle Eastern Universities.

The meeting reviewed prospects for strengthening Iraqi–Malaysian relations at the cultural and scientific levels, with a focus on advancing academic cooperation between universities in both countries and expanding scientific and research exchange programmes in a manner that serves mutual interests and elevates institutional partnerships.

The discussion also addressed the “Study in Iraq” initiative as a strategic pathway to provide opportunities for international students to pursue their studies at Iraqi universities. The Chargé d’Affaires highlighted recent developments in Iraq’s higher education sector, the advanced academic programmes offered by Iraqi universities, as well as the positive and dynamic atmosphere in Baghdad and several other Iraqi cities, marked by growing cultural and scientific activity.

Both sides further discussed existing academic relations between Iraqi and Malaysian universities, including the successful memoranda of understanding signed between a number of institutions in the two countries, and ways to build upon them through the launch of joint research programmes.

For their part, the academic delegation expressed appreciation for the role of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Kuala Lumpur in supporting academic cooperation, affirming Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s interest in expanding its partnerships with Iraqi universities and its readiness to translate the outcomes of the meeting into practical and sustainable academic projects.

This meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen Iraqi–Malaysian academic diplomacy, in line with the development of bilateral relations and with a view to opening broader horizons for scientific and cultural cooperation between higher education institutions in both countries.

The meeting was also attended by the First Secretary at the Embassy, Ahmed Ali Jassim.