Sulaimani University has once again secured the top spot among Iraqi universities, according to the prestigious Times Higher Education ranking. This marks the second consecutive year the university has achieved this distinction.

Official Announcement

During a press conference, Dr. Kosar Mohammed Ali, President of Sulaimani University, officially announced the achievement, stating, “For the second year in a row, our university has been ranked first in Iraq by the Times Higher Education framework.”

 Evaluation Criteria

The university’s ranking was based on 18 comprehensive academic indicators across five key areas:

• Quality of teaching and research environment
• Research impact and excellence
• International outlook and collaboration
• Industry engagement and societal relevance
• Graduation rates across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs

University officials emphasized that Sulaimani University has shown remarkable progress in all these areas.

Future Vision: Toward Academic and Administrative Autonomy

Dr. Kosar also revealed plans for a five-year strategic roadmap aimed at increasing the university’s autonomy. A proposal has been submitted to the Kurdistan Regional Government to allow Sulaimani University greater independence in academic and administrative affairs, with the goal of enhancing its international standing. The plan includes financial self-sufficiency within the coming years.

Legacy of Excellence

Founded in 1968, Sulaimani University is the oldest and first university in the Kurdistan Region. It continues to be a pioneer in scientific achievement both locally and internationally.