Professor Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, chaired the first meeting of the University Council for the 2026–2027 academic year, attended by the Vice Presidents, Deans of Colleges, and Heads of Departments. The meeting addressed a number of academic, administrative, and developmental priorities aimed at ensuring an effective and well-organized start to the new academic year. The meeting opened with the University President extending his warmest welcome and congratulations to the teaching staff and students on the commencement of the new academic year, wishing everyone a year filled with success, excellence, and achievement. He also congratulated the students and the Student Activities Division on Al-Mustaqbal University achieving first place in Iraq among private universities and colleges in the field of student activities. He praised this achievement, which reflects the effectiveness of the university’s student programs and activities and its commitment to supporting students’ talents and abilities. During the meeting, the University President emphasized the importance of maintaining regular classes and activities from the first day, accelerating the announcement of academic schedules, and strengthening student activities. He also stressed placing students at the center of the educational process, preparing them for labor-market requirements, fostering awareness and a sense of belonging, and strengthening the university’s role in serving society. The meeting also highlighted the importance of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, utilizing digital transformation and artificial intelligence to develop the educational process, and expanding international academic and research partnerships. The Council discussed the academic calendar and preparations for the new academic year, including the adoption and prompt announcement of weekly schedules, with classes scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The Council also followed up on the announcement of second-round examination results and the completion of the relevant procedures. The Council further emphasized the importance of implementing the Student Information System (SIS) and the electronic governance system approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Urgent workshops are to be organized to ensure that students complete their registration and comply with the approved electronic procedures, with students considered absent in accordance with the applicable regulations if they fail to complete registration in the system. The Council discussed the organization of tuition payments into four installments, with the first installment amounting to 25% of the annual tuition fees and payable from September 15 to September 30, 2026. The approved administrative procedures will be applied to students who fail to meet the payment deadline. The Council also reviewed admission rates and regulations outlined in the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and approved the tuition fees for the 2026–2027 academic year in accordance with the applicable ministerial regulations and instructions. With regard to internationalization and postgraduate studies, the Council commended the university’s student training experience at the University of the West of England (UWE). It emphasized the importance of following up on postgraduate studies, benefiting from recent international visits and programs, and expanding international academic and research partnerships to strengthen the university’s presence in global academic forums. The Council also reviewed the minutes of the College Councils, followed up on ministerial correspondence and instructions received, and discussed a number of legal, administrative, and organizational matters, contributing to strengthening institutional performance and achieving the university’s objectives for the new academic year. At the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi called upon the Colleges’ Deanships and all teaching and administrative staff to redouble their efforts and work in a spirit of teamwork, drawing on the university’s outstanding achievements during the previous academic year as a foundation for further success. He affirmed that Al-Mustaqbal University will continue its academic and scientific journey with confidence, further consolidating its position as a leading educational institution and providing high-quality scientific and professional graduates who meet society’s needs and keep pace with global developments. Al-Mustaqbal University – The First University in Iraq