Prof. Dr. Nada Al-Abadi, Director of the Women’s Affairs Department at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, stated that this achievement followed a series of meetings with heads of Women’s Affairs units across various ministries. These meetings recommended designating January 12 as a national day for university women in recognition of their leading role in higher education and scientific research institutions.
She added that the National Directorate for Iraqi Women at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers supported the recommendations, approved the proposal, and contributed to highlighting women’s contributions across various national sectors, particularly the academic and scientific fields.
For her part, Dr. Yusra Al-Allaq, Director General of the National Directorate for Iraqi Women, welcomed the designation of a national day for university women, emphasizing that it will provide an annual opportunity to highlight the achievements of Iraqi women academics and researchers and their contributions to building scientific institutions, advancing knowledge production, and serving society. She noted that the occasion will further strengthen women’s presence and role in the country’s national development.
The designation of this date commemorates a significant milestone in the history of higher education in Iraq. On January 12, 1970, Dr. Suad Khalil Ismail Al-Bustani was appointed as the first woman to serve as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Iraq, during a period of important institutional transformation that included changing the name of the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
