Iraqi Ranking of Universities and its Adopted Indices to Measure Iraqi universities performance : an analytic study

Abstract

.The study aimed to introduce the Iraqi university ranking system, trace its development, and examine the indicators it employs to assess the performance of both public and private universities through its official website. It also sought to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of these indicators. The study selected a sample of Iraqi universities and their departments listed in the 2024 ranking to evaluate the level of compliance with the ranking criteria and to analyze their performance accordingly. Furthermore, the study proposed a set of recommendations to enhance the ranking indicators, with the goal of improving the system’s effectiveness in a manner that aligns with the academic environment of Iraqi universities. A descriptive-analytical methodology was adopted to collect and analyze data related to the Iraqi ranking system. Data were gathered through interviews with experts in the field of university rankings, as well as through the official website of the ranking system and other relevant sources. The study yielded several findings, the most notable of which was the gradual increase in the values of key indicators within the Iraqi ranking system. These included a 10% increase in the institutional accreditation indicator, a 10% increase in the research effectiveness indicator, and a 10% increase in the quality and programmatic accreditation indicator. Such growth reflects the relevance and evolution of these indicators in response to the realities of the Iraqi academic landscape. However, the study also revealed challenges faced by Iraqi universities in meeting the requirements of the ranking indicators, which was clearly reflected in the scores obtained by universities in the 2024 ranking. The University of Technology ranked first with a score of only 61, followed by the University of Anbar with a score of 54, and Al-Mustansiriya University with a score of 51.