Ali Zuweid’s political programme
Proposed bill · Education, Scientific Research, Culture, Youth and Sport
Higher Education, University Autonomy, Accreditation and Quality Assurance Law
Executive summary
This proposal would rebuild Iraq’s higher education legal framework around a clear principle: an autonomous university is not a university without oversight, and a university controlled in every administrative detail cannot innovate. It therefore grants public universities academic, administrative and financial autonomy over education, programmes, internal resources and partnerships, accompanied by stronger accountability for quality, public funds, transparency, outcomes and student rights.
The legislative need is not hypothetical. The public system still rests on Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Law No. (40) of 1988, repeatedly amended, most recently in a major amendment through Law No. (17) of 2024. On 19 August 2025, the Federal Supreme Court declared two provisions of that amendment concerning appointment powers and a financial burden unconstitutional. This confirms that new reform must respect constitutional allocation of competences from the outset, preserve equal opportunities and avoid budget commitments added outside the proper executive process.
An existing quality infrastructure operates within the Scientific Supervision and Evaluation Apparatus, including the Quality Assurance and Academic Accreditation Department and specialist accreditation councils. The Ministry also applies programme accreditation and uses quality standards in the Iraqi Ranking, whose 2025 edition, published in January 2026, assessed 103 public and private institutions. The proposal therefore does not start from scratch; it transfers core external accreditation functions to a technically independent national authority and prevents duplicate inspection and evaluation.
Developments in 2026 showed that quality had become an urgent regulatory issue: the Ministry directed private universities to complete programme accreditation and suspend admissions to non-compliant departments, then on 30 June 2026 stopped accepting applications for new private universities, colleges and departments to reassess private higher education’s trajectory. The proposal turns these separate administrative responses into durable legal rules linking expansion to capacity, sustainability and student protection.
The proposal does not incorporate the detailed scientific research and innovation agenda. The ninth amendment created the Scientific Research Authority and expanded instruments for knowledge commercialisation and start-ups, while POL-65 addresses scientific research, innovation and technology transfer. Research provisions here are confined to academic freedom, integrity, governance and property rights insofar as required by the higher education law itself.
Constitutional and legal context
Article (34) of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq makes education a State-guaranteed right, provides free education for Iraqis at all levels, encourages scientific research for peaceful purposes and supports excellence, creativity and innovation. It also guarantees private and non-governmental education, to be regulated by law. This must be read with Articles (14) and (16) on equality and equal opportunities, and Article (46), which permits restrictions on rights only by law and without impairing their essence.
Public institutions operate principally under Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Law No. (40) of 1988, as amended, which combines regulation of the Ministry’s headquarters, universities, planning, admissions, curricula and appointment powers. Its ninth amendment, Law No. (17) of 2024, was published in Iraqi Gazette No. 4785. It introduced the Scientific Research Authority and modern provisions on structures, resources and knowledge commercialisation, but did not transform higher education into a comprehensive modern framework for institutional autonomy and external accreditation.
Judgment (207/Federal/2024), issued on 19 August 2025 and published in Iraqi Gazette No. 4838, declared Articles (2) and (11) of the ninth amendment unconstitutional. Its principal implications for this draft are that appointment powers for positions within the Council of Ministers’ competence cannot be redistributed contrary to the Constitution, and adding financial burdens to a government bill without government approval may be unconstitutional. University leadership and the new Authority are therefore designed around open competition and institutional nomination, while appointment decisions remain with the constitutionally competent body according to grade.
Private higher education is regulated by Law No. (25) of 2016, which grants private universities, colleges and institutes legal personality and financial and administrative autonomy, while maintaining a strong regulatory relationship with the Ministry over licensing, supervision, admissions and programmes. The proposal does not repeal that Law; it creates unified national institutional and programme accreditation for public and private institutions while retaining the 2016 Law’s establishment, ownership and resource rules.
Current developments through 5 October 2026
| Issue | Established position | Legislative implication |
|---|---|---|
| Public higher education legislative framework | Ministry of Higher Education Law No. 40 of 1988, amended nine times through 2024 | Accumulated amendments retain extensive centralisation in the old structure; a modern university and quality framework law is preferable, preserving Ministry and Scientific Research Authority organisation where compatible. |
| Ninth amendment, 2024 | Reorganised the Scientific Research Authority and introduced tools for start-ups and knowledge commercialisation | The research agenda is not rebuilt here; its structure is preserved, with details left to POL-65. |
| Federal Supreme Court judgment, 2025 | Unconstitutionality of Articles 2 and 11 of Law 17/2024 | Appointments at grades within Council of Ministers competence and new financial burdens must follow the constitutional process; leadership and Authority provisions reflect this. |
| Quality and accreditation | The Supervision Apparatus includes a Quality Assurance and Accreditation Department, alongside sectoral accreditation councils | Transfer existing functions to a technically independent authority rather than duplicate bureaucracy. |
| Private higher education, 2026 | Suspension of admissions in departments failing accreditation requirements and cessation of applications for new institutions and departments | Expansion must become legally conditional on quality, sustainability and a student protection plan. |
| Bologna Process | The 2025/2026 guide uses credits, learning outcomes and ESG standards | The Law accommodates international alignment without locking Iraq into one model. |
These developments show that Iraq does not lack quality-related activity; it lacks a stable legal structure separating the policy-maker, education provider and external accreditation decision-maker. The National Education Strategy 2022–2031 also identifies quality, accreditation, higher education governance and external efficiency among its main priorities, making this proposal a legislative continuation of an announced direction rather than a departure from it.
The legislative gap
The current Law was drafted for an administrative environment fundamentally different from higher education today. Despite successive amendments, many academic decisions remain tied to Ministry headquarters while universities expand Bologna implementation, digitisation, international partnerships, joint programmes and knowledge transfer. The result is a gap between modern practice and legal foundations: universities are accountable for quality but do not always possess sufficient flexibility over the decisions for which they are held responsible.
Conversely, broad autonomy without independent accreditation, public information, remedies and student protection could weaken oversight. The proposal therefore does more than remove ministerial control: it replaces part of prior supervision with external quality evaluation, transparency, financial audit, students’ right to redress, and periodic programme and institutional review.
Multiple quality bodies and sectoral councils also need a single framework. The Quality Assurance and Academic Accreditation Department, National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges and other councils are institutional assets, but require legislation specifying decision-making independence, conflicts of interest, the legal effect of accreditation, graduated sanctions, appeal rights and a public institution and programme register.
Proposed legislative policy
- Autonomy with accountability: transfer everyday academic and administrative decisions to universities in exchange for disclosure, audit and accreditation.
- A technically independent regulator: transform existing quality functions into a national authority instead of building a parallel bureaucracy.
- No administrative immunity in the name of autonomy: judicial review, integrity oversight, financial audit and conflict-of-interest rules remain applicable.
- Protect academic freedom: prohibit imposed findings, grades or content for political or commercial reasons, while preserving research ethics and discipline.
- Risk-based regulation: distinguish correctable procedural breaches from threats to student safety or qualification integrity.
- One academic standard for public and private institutions: ownership is no substitute for quality.
- International flexibility: benefit from the Bologna Process and ESG without subordinating the Law to one foreign model.
- Respect the 2025 constitutional judgment: no transfer of reserved powers or permanent financial burdens outside government and budget procedures.
Text of the bill
In the name of the people
Presidency of the Republic
On the basis of what the Council of Representatives has enacted and the President of the Republic has ratified, pursuant to the Constitution, the following Law is issued:
Higher Education, University Autonomy, Accreditation and Quality Assurance Law
Chapter One — General provisions
Article (1) — Definitions
For this Law, the following terms have the meanings stated. First — Ministry: the federal Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Second — Institution: a university, college, institute or body providing higher education leading to a recognised academic qualification. Third — Public university: a public higher education institution possessing legal personality and academic, administrative and financial autonomy within this Law. Fourth — Private university or college: an institution established and licensed under the Private Higher Education Law. Fifth — Authority: the National Authority for Higher Education Accreditation and Quality Assurance established herein. Sixth — Institutional accreditation: a decision based on independent external evaluation confirming compliance with institutional quality, governance, capacity and sustainability standards. Seventh — Programme accreditation: a decision confirming an academic programme’s compliance with disciplinary, learning-outcome, resource and quality standards. Eighth — University autonomy: institutional authority to manage academic, administrative and financial affairs within the Constitution, laws, national policy and binding standards, subject to accountability and oversight. Ninth — Academic freedom: freedom to teach, research, publish, engage in scholarly debate and choose research topics and methods within the law, ethics and professional standards. Tenth — National Qualifications Framework: a system classifying qualifications, levels, learning outcomes, transfer pathways and recognition.
Article (2) — Objectives
This Law aims to guarantee Iraqis’ right to rigorous, accessible and equitable higher education; transform highly centralised administrative universities into responsible institutions with academic, administrative and financial autonomy and accountability; establish technically independent national accreditation and quality assurance regulation; protect academic freedom and research integrity; improve recognition of Iraqi qualifications and academic mobility; link admissions and establishment expansion to capacity, quality and public need; strengthen transparency and student protection; and enable internationalisation, innovation and partnerships without prejudice to the Scientific Research Authority’s competence or specialist research and innovation laws.
Article (3) — Scope
First — This Law applies to federal public higher education institutions and those in governorates not incorporated into a region. Second — Accreditation, quality assurance, student protection, academic integrity and disclosure provisions apply to private higher education institutions insofar as compatible with the Private Higher Education Law, which shall be amended under this Law’s final provisions. Third — The Kurdistan Region’s constitutional competences shall be respected. Federal and regional authorities may conclude mutual recognition, joint accreditation and student transfer arrangements based on equivalent standards. Fourth — This Law does not apply to vocational training that does not lead to a higher education qualification except by special provision.
Article (4) — Governing principles
Higher education shall rest on university autonomy with accountability; academic freedom; integrity in research, teaching and assessment; equality and non-discrimination; free regular public education under the Constitution and law; equal opportunities; student protection; sound governance; transparency; proportionate regulation; separation of policy-making, provision and external evaluation as far as possible; recognition of universities’ diverse missions; and rejection of rankings or a single indicator as substitutes for accreditation and comprehensive evaluation.
Article (5) — Public interest and university autonomy
University autonomy is a means to protect teaching and research quality and serve society, not a privilege exempting institutions from oversight. Universities shall exercise powers while safeguarding public funds, student and staff rights, academic standards and national interests. Administrative and financial decisions remain subject to courts, financial audit and oversight under applicable laws.
Article (6) — Non-discrimination and accessibility
Institutions shall maintain admissions, teaching, assessment and student service policies free of unlawful discrimination, provide reasonable accommodation for students and staff with disabilities, and address underrepresented groups and deprived areas through transparent lawful programmes that preserve minimum academic requirements.
Article (7) — Teaching language and internationalisation
The two official languages and constitutional linguistic rights shall be respected. Institutions may offer programmes or courses in foreign languages where required by the discipline or international partnership, provided the language of instruction and proficiency requirements are clearly published before admission and language is not used as an instrument of unlawful discrimination.
Chapter Two — National policy and the Ministry’s role
Article (8) — Ministry role
The Ministry shall formulate national higher education policy; plan overall capacity and disciplines with competent bodies; prepare legislation; administer national admissions where prescribed by law; coordinate international recognition and scholarships; and monitor public funding. It shall not intervene in individual academic decisions, student assessment, research findings or specific academic appointments except as permitted by law or required by legality oversight.
Article (9) — Separation of policy and accreditation
The Ministry shall not be the final accreditation decision-maker for its public institutions and programmes. The Authority established herein shall independently conduct external accreditation and quality assurance. The Ministry may request information and submit observations like any public body, without power to direct an accreditation decision in a particular case.
Article (10) — Periodic national policy
On the Ministry’s proposal and after public consultation, the Council of Ministers shall prepare a national higher education policy with a cycle of at least five years, covering admissions, disciplines, financial sustainability, internationalisation, skills, quality and digital transformation. It shall be a guiding framework, not a substitute for universities’ autonomous plans.
Article (11) — National data and planning
The Ministry shall establish a unified higher education data system covering admissions, enrolment, graduation, staffing, capacity, qualifications, funding and outcome indicators, with interoperability and data protection. Published anonymised data shall support planning, research and policy-making and must not be used for automatic punitive rankings of institutions or individuals.
Article (12) — Labour-market coordination
The Ministry and institutions shall use data from the Ministry of Planning, private sector, unions and professional bodies to estimate future skills trends. A discipline shall not be closed or created solely on a short-term indicator; its scientific and social role, State needs, capacity and graduate pathways shall be considered.
Chapter Three — Public university autonomy and governance
Article (13) — Public university legal personality
A public university shall possess legal personality and academic, administrative and financial autonomy, represented by its president before courts and third parties, with a budget within the general budget, regular accounts and a separate financial estate to the extent prescribed by law. Autonomy shall not affect State ownership of public assets or constitutionally and legally established Council of Ministers, Ministry and oversight powers.
Article (14) — Academic autonomy
Through its competent councils, a university may design programmes, curricula, teaching and assessment methods, allocate study workload, approve the academic calendar, conclude scientific partnerships and award degrees, subject to the National Qualifications Framework, accreditation standards and professional regulation. Routine academic decisions require no Ministry ratification unless otherwise provided by law.
Article (15) — Administrative autonomy
A university may propose its internal structure, create, merge and abolish units, manage human resources within staffing, appropriations and general laws, and establish internal regulations, codes of conduct and digital procedures. New colleges or entities creating a public-service grade or permanent financial burden require approval by the competent body under the law.
Article (16) — Financial autonomy
A university shall prepare its draft budget, allocate internal appropriations, manage legally permitted revenues and contract under financial and public procurement legislation. It may retain own-source revenue allocated to development, research and services and carry forward unused balances under the Financial Management Law, budget law and instructions. Own-source revenue must not become a route to unlawful fees for free education.
Article (17) — University council
The university council shall be its highest academic and administrative authority on matters within its autonomy. It shall comprise the president, vice-presidents, deans, elected teaching staff representatives, a staff representative and a student representative on relevant matters. Independent experts from society, the economy and alumni may join under the regulations. Composition rules shall prevent an external party from controlling a majority of academic decisions.
Article (18) — University council powers
The council shall approve the strategic plan, internal budget, academic policies and lawful appointment and promotion standards; approve programmes before accreditation where required; adopt internal review findings; monitor risks and integrity; approve final accounts and annual reports; and hold university leaders accountable. It shall exercise no power constitutionally or legally reserved to the Council of Ministers, Minister or oversight body.
Article (19) — Academic council
Internal regulations may establish an academic council or university senate for purely academic matters, with a majority of elected academics or faculty representatives. It shall oversee curricula, scientific policies, integrity, academic standards and degree awards. No financial or administrative decision may disregard a binding academic standard without obtaining this council’s opinion.
Article (20) — Selection of university leaders
Presidents, vice-presidents, deans and heads of academic units shall be selected through open competition, published criteria, a relatively independent search committee, documented interviews and a shortlist. Appointment shall be made by the constitutionally and legally competent body according to public-service grade, from the qualified shortlist. If all candidates are rejected, objective reasons shall be given and the position readvertised.
Article (21) — Leadership terms
The term of a university president or dean shall be four years, renewable once following a published evaluation, unless the applicable service law provides otherwise. Acting or caretaker appointments shall not exceed one year except in force majeure defined by law, under a reasoned, time-limited decision.
Article (22) — Leadership evaluation
Presidents and deans shall undergo periodic evaluation covering quality, integrity, financial results, resource management, staff development and stakeholder satisfaction, not solely international rankings. Office-holders may access and respond to the report before any decision affecting their continuation.
Article (23) — Internal regulations
Each university shall issue internal regulations within a general model approved by the Council of Ministers or Minister according to competence, specifying units, council meeting rules, delegated powers, conflicts-of-interest procedures, transparency and grievances. Universities shall publish these regulations and general regulatory decisions.
Article (24) — University participation
Universities shall ensure teaching staff, students, employees, alumni and employers participate in relevant committees or councils without granting any group a veto. Consultation is required before substantial changes to programmes, lawful fees, campuses or assessment policy.
Article (25) — Conflicts of interest
Members of university councils and appointment, procurement or accreditation committees shall declare personal, financial, family or material professional interests and abstain from decisions where a conflict exists. Conflict-of-interest and disclosure rules shall be published, and penalties under applicable laws shall apply.
Article (26) — Academic partnerships and contracts
Universities may conclude cooperation, twinning, joint programme, training, research and consultancy agreements with Iraqi and foreign bodies, subject to verifying academic standing, protecting intellectual property, data and student rights, and not transferring degree-awarding authority to an unaccredited body.
Article (27) — Investing in knowledge
Universities may establish incubators and knowledge-transfer offices and participate in start-ups or intellectual-property-based projects under applicable legislation, the ninth amendment to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Law and its implementing provisions, with disclosure of interests and protection of public funds against unjustified risks. Research, commercialisation and technology-transfer details shall be regulated by the Scientific Research and Innovation Law.
Chapter Four — Academic freedom and teaching staff
Article (28) — Academic freedom
Academic freedom shall be guaranteed to teaching staff, researchers and students in teaching, research, publication, scholarly discussion and academic expression. No employment or study-related action may be taken for a scientific finding or lawful academic opinion. Protection excludes falsification, incitement to violence, prohibited discrimination, breaches of confidentiality, violations of others’ rights and breaches of research ethics.
Article (29) — Independence in research and teaching
No political, party, religious, tribal or commercial authority may impose a scientific finding, grade or research topic, or require removal of lawful academic content. Institutions retain authority to establish objective academic and ethical standards and review content for quality and consistency with programme outcomes.
Article (30) — Academic appointments
Academic appointments and promotions shall be based on competence, specialisation, research output, teaching and integrity under published criteria and specialist committees independent as far as possible. Discrimination, favouritism and political interference are prohibited. Decisions shall be reasoned and subject to grievance, respecting the University Service Law and applicable public service legislation.
Article (31) — Employment security and fair procedures
No teaching staff member shall be penalised, transferred or barred from teaching or research for non-professional reasons or without lawful procedure. They shall be notified of the allegation or reason, and afforded defence and appeal. Academic freedom does not preclude accountability for gross negligence, harassment, violence, corruption, research falsification or violations of student rights.
Article (32) — Workload and professional development
Universities shall establish balanced workload policies covering teaching, research, supervision, community service and administration, and provide professional development in teaching, assessment, digitisation and research ethics. Distribution may vary by university and discipline according to mission, within statutory university service limits.
Article (33) — Academic integrity
Institutions shall maintain comprehensive academic integrity policies covering plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, cheating, conflicts of interest, publication manipulation and misuse of artificial intelligence tools. Procedures shall distinguish remediable student mistakes from deliberate cheating and research misconduct and guarantee defence and appeal rights.
Article (34) — Research ethics
Research involving humans, animals or sensitive data requires appropriate ethical approval and safety and privacy standards. Ethics committees shall decide independently of researchers and funders. Universities shall not accept funding conditional on concealing findings affecting public safety or unjustifiably preventing publication.
Article (35) — Intellectual property
Universities shall regulate ownership of research outputs, revenue sharing and policies on patents, software and data under intellectual property and related legislation, ensuring a fair share for creators and researchers, university rights and the public interest. Commercial agreements shall not prevent legitimate academic use except for a specific, temporary reason.
Article (36) — Student rights
Students have the right to accurate pre-admission information, education matching the programme description, fair and published assessment, dignified treatment, privacy, access to their records, guidance and grievance services, participation in matters affecting them, protection against harassment, violence and exploitation, and accurate documents and qualifications upon meeting requirements.
Chapter Five — Students, admissions and protection
Article (37) — Admissions
Admissions shall follow published rules, equal opportunities and accredited capacity. Central admissions may continue in public programmes specified by the Council of Ministers. Universities may receive wider powers over selection, tests and supplementary portfolios where criteria are verifiable and preserve equality and the right to education.
Article (38) — Free public education
Free regular public university education remains a right under the Constitution and laws. No fees or charges shall be imposed on this pathway without express statutory provision. Parallel, evening, continuing education or special-service programmes may charge lawful fees, provided full costs are published before enrolment and the free pathway is not undermined.
Article (39) — Student grievances and complaints
Each institution shall establish a relatively independent, accessible route for complaints concerning admissions, grades, discipline, harassment and services, with reasonable deadlines and appeal rights. The person complained against shall not decide the complaint alone. Retaliation against students or good-faith witnesses is prohibited.
Article (40) — Student discipline
A student may be penalised only for a previously defined violation, following notification, hearing, defence and a reasoned decision proportionate to the conduct. Permanent expulsion solely for peaceful expression or lawful academic or union activity is prohibited.
Article (41) — Student protection when a programme stops
If programme accreditation is suspended or an institution closes, a protection and alternative education plan shall ensure completion or transfer, recognition of completed credits and repayment of sums due under the law. Student rights shall take priority in any liquidation or closure of a private institution.
Article (42) — Mobility and credit recognition
Institutions shall adopt clear systems for recognising prior learning and credits and transferring between universities within and outside Iraq where level and outcomes are equivalent. Recognition shall not be refused merely because a course title differs if academic equivalence is demonstrated.
Article (43) — Student support
Institutions shall provide academic and career guidance, psychological support, accessibility and digital guidance within their capacity. Student grants, assistance and loans shall be governed by their own legislation. This Article does not create an unfunded financial entitlement.
Chapter Six — National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority
Article (44) — Establishment of the National Authority
A public body named the ‘National Authority for Higher Education Accreditation and Quality Assurance’ shall be established with legal personality, financial and administrative autonomy and technical independence in accreditation decisions. It shall be attached to the Council of Ministers for general administrative oversight without interference in individual accreditation decisions. Its headquarters shall be in Baghdad, and it may use teams and experts from governorates and outside Iraq.
Article (45) — Authority objectives
The Authority shall protect students and society from education below minimum standards, strengthen confidence in Iraqi qualifications, unify accreditation standards while respecting institutional diversity, promote continuous improvement rather than punitive inspection, recognise appropriate international professional standards, and reduce duplicate visits and regulatory requests.
Article (46) — Authority board
The Authority shall be governed by a seven-member board experienced in higher education, quality, professions, law and governance. A majority shall have academic experience, and no member may simultaneously be a university president or owner or manager of a private institution. The chair and members shall be appointed by Council of Ministers decision after public advertisement and published nominations for four years, renewable once. Regulations shall provide for staggered expiry of membership.
Article (47) — Independence and conflicts of interest
Neither the Minister, a university nor a funder may direct the Authority on a specific accreditation decision. Board members and assessors shall disclose interests and refrain from assessing an institution where they worked or contracted during a period set by regulation. Gifts and benefits from institutions subject to accreditation are prohibited.
Article (48) — Authority competences
The Authority shall establish institutional and programme accreditation standards; register accredited institutions and programmes; approve specialist or professional councils; conduct external evaluation; monitor risk-based compliance; publish decisions and summary reports; receive systemic quality complaints; recognise equivalent foreign evaluations; and prepare an annual report for the Council of Ministers and Council of Representatives and public release.
Article (49) — National standards
The Authority shall establish measurable national standards covering governance, human resources, learning outcomes, programme design, assessment, research where applicable, student support, integrity, infrastructure and laboratories, digital environments, data, financial sustainability and safety. Standards shall be reviewed periodically after public consultation. Formal indicators or publication counts alone shall not determine quality.
Article (50) — Mandatory institutional accreditation
No institution may call itself a university, college or higher education institute or award a recognised Iraqi qualification unless legally licensed and institutionally accredited or within an authorised transition. Accreditation shall be time-limited and renewed on risk and performance assessment.
Article (51) — Programme accreditation
The Authority shall specify programmes requiring mandatory programme accreditation, particularly those leading to regulated professions or involving high health or safety risks. Other programmes may undergo periodic institutional evaluation or sectoral accreditation according to risk and disciplinary characteristics.
Article (52) — Specialist accreditation councils
The Authority may form specialist accreditation councils or recognise existing national councils, including the National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges, where independence, expertise and procedural standards are met. Councils shall operate under the Authority’s national framework, with decisions reviewable under this Law.
Article (53) — External evaluation
Evaluation shall be conducted by teams with diverse expertise and no interested member, using self-assessment, documented data, visits or digital tools where appropriate, and student and staff interviews. Institutions shall have an opportunity to correct factual matters before a final decision. Documents previously supplied to a government body shall not be requested again where electronic exchange is possible.
Article (54) — Accreditation decisions
The Authority may grant full accreditation, conditional accreditation with a corrective plan, place an institution or programme under monitoring, suspend new admissions, or refuse or withdraw accreditation. Decisions shall be reasoned and proportionate to risk, with student protection prioritised before any closure.
Article (55) — Graduated and proportionate measures
Admissions shall not be suspended or accreditation withdrawn for a minor correctable procedural breach. Warning and improvement plans shall be used first unless student safety, qualification integrity or deliberate fraud presents an immediate risk. The institution’s history, response and degree of harm shall be considered.
Article (56) — Conditional self-accreditation
After at least two successful external evaluation cycles, the Authority may grant a university with an established quality record and mature governance the right to self-accredit certain programmes for a specified period. This remains auditable and may be withdrawn if performance declines. High-risk programmes are excluded unless standards expressly permit them.
Article (57) — Public national register
The Authority shall establish a public electronic register identifying accredited institutions and programmes, accreditation type and duration, restrictions and final decisions. Personal data or trade secrets unnecessary to understanding institutional quality or qualification integrity shall not be disclosed.
Article (58) — Appeal and review
An institution may challenge an accreditation decision before a review committee independent of the evaluation team within the period set by regulation, access its factual basis and respond. This does not preclude administrative court appeal under the law. Appeal shall not suspend urgent safety measures unless the competent body decides otherwise.
Article (59) — Authority funding
The Authority shall be funded by a general budget allocation and reasonable accreditation fees on private institutions and specialist services under regulation. Funding must not depend on accreditation outcomes or a share of assessed institutions’ revenue. Accounts shall be audited by the Federal Board of Supreme Audit.
Article (60) — Transfer of existing quality functions
Core external accreditation functions performed by the Quality Assurance and Academic Accreditation Department and sectoral councils within the Scientific Supervision and Evaluation Apparatus shall transfer to the Authority, with necessary staff, files, systems and assets transferred by Council of Ministers decision to avoid parallel structures. The Supervision Apparatus shall retain other administrative and scientific oversight duties defined by the Ministry Law.
Chapter Seven — Qualifications, programmes and modern learning
Article (61) — Internal quality assurance
Each institution shall establish an internal quality assurance system reporting directly to senior leadership with data access, responsible for periodic review of programmes, learning outcomes, complaints, integrity and risks. Quality units shall not alter individual academic results outside grievance procedures.
Article (62) — Self-assessment and periodic review
Institutions shall conduct a brief annual self-assessment and a comprehensive review of every programme at intervals not exceeding seven years, or shorter for high-risk programmes. Reviews shall include external experts and appropriate stakeholders and document resulting improvement actions.
Article (63) — National Qualifications Framework
On the Ministry’s and Authority’s proposal and after consultation, the Council of Ministers shall adopt a National Qualifications Framework defining qualification levels, learning outcomes, credit volume and pathways between higher, technical and vocational education. It shall support recognition and design, not standardise every curriculum.
Article (64) — Credit system
Institutions shall adopt a transparent credit or credit-hour system showing student learning workload and course outcomes. It may align with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System and Bologna Process requirements where this aids recognition and mobility, without forcing a discipline into unsuitable teaching methods.
Article (65) — Establishing programmes
A programme shall be established only on a needs assessment, clear mission, learning outcomes, suitable staff, laboratories or practical training where necessary, and a sustainable financial plan. It requires internal approval and external accreditation according to category. Commercial demand alone is insufficient justification.
Article (66) — Programme review and suspension
Programmes shall be reviewed against enrolment, retention, graduation, learning outcomes, employment, quality and resource data. A weak programme may be merged or suspended after an improvement plan, protecting enrolled students. Graduate unemployment alone shall not justify closing a discipline with scientific or national value.
Article (67) — Digital and hybrid learning
Education may be delivered in person, digitally or through hybrid formats under standards governing identity, assessment verification, integrity, accessibility, data protection, content quality and technical support. Study mode and any attendance or laboratory requirements that cannot be completed remotely shall be disclosed before enrolment.
Article (68) — Short qualifications and continuing education
Universities may issue short professional certificates, partial qualifications or stackable microcredentials under a regulatory framework defining level, volume and whether academic credit is awarded. They shall not be presented to the public as university degrees where they are not.
Article (69) — Joint programmes and foreign branches
Joint programmes and foreign branches require verification of parent-institution accreditation, responsibility for the degree, student protection, programme continuity and academic standards. Agreements must identify the records custodian and compensation or transfer arrangements if the partnership ends.
Article (70) — Qualification recognition
The Ministry shall regulate equivalence and recognition of foreign qualifications based on level, outcomes, accreditation, duration and workload, using reliable databases and allowing grievances. Qualifications shall not be refused on merely formal grounds where academic equivalence is proven, subject to regulated-profession requirements.
Chapter Eight — Funding, oversight and transparency
Article (71) — Mission-based budgeting
The State shall allocate public universities’ core funding under published rules accounting for student numbers, disciplinary characteristics, cost, geographical need and research and teaching missions. A limited portion may depend on verifiable outcomes, without tying funding to a single ranking indicator or encouraging box-ticking behaviour.
Article (72) — Own-source revenue
Universities may lawfully earn revenue from continuing education, consultancy, contract research, intellectual property and facilities. It shall be deposited and managed transparently, with an appropriate share allocated to teaching, research and infrastructure development. Unlawful levies or requiring purchase of private services to pass or enrol are prohibited.
Article (73) — Procurement and contracts
University procurement and contracts shall comply with the Public Procurement Law and applicable financial rules. Simplified procedures may be used for specialist or rapidly obsolete research equipment, subject to competitive safeguards, full documentation and prevention of conflicts of interest.
Article (74) — Audit and oversight
Public universities shall be subject to Federal Board of Supreme Audit review, internal audit and competent integrity bodies. Oversight shall be retrospective and risk-based wherever possible, rather than prior approval of every academic or financial decision within delegated powers.
Article (75) — Financial disclosure
Each public university shall annually publish its approved budget and final accounts in accessible form, own-source revenue sources, major contracts within legal confidentiality limits, and a procurement and conflicts-of-interest report. Private institutions shall publish audited financial information under their governing law and Authority instructions insofar as necessary for student protection and institutional sustainability.
Article (76) — Land and assets
Universities shall manage allocated assets for educational, research and community purposes and shall not dispose of public ownership or change designated use except under the law and competent approvals. They may invest an area or asset not directly needed for academic activity if consistent with their mission, with proceeds disclosed and dedicated to their objectives.
Article (77) — Donations and grants
Institutions may accept gifts, grants, endowments and donations from within and outside Iraq under the law after verifying lawful origin. Conditions allowing donors to influence research findings, academic appointments or individual admissions, or granting disproportionate benefits in return, are prohibited.
Article (78) — Sustainable infrastructure and equipment
Institutions shall maintain life-cycle plans for laboratories, libraries, digital infrastructure, buildings and safety. Maintenance and renewal costs shall form part of decisions to establish expensive programmes. Admissions shall not exceed accredited capacity to compensate for funding shortfalls.
Chapter Nine — Private and cross-border higher education
Article (79) — Private higher education
Private Higher Education Law No. (25) of 2016 remains in force for establishment, ownership, management, resources and contractual relationships. Institutional licensing and continuation shall be conditional on institutional accreditation under this Law, and programmes shall undergo mandatory accreditation using the same academic standards as comparable public programmes.
Article (80) — Private establishment and expansion
No new licence or private institution department or programme shall be approved without verification of need, staffing, premises, equipment, financial sustainability, a student protection plan and preliminary Authority approval of accreditation feasibility. The Council of Ministers may temporarily suspend establishment or expansion applications for demonstrated quality reasons through a published, periodically reviewed decision.
Article (81) — Private institution fees and disclosure
Private institutions shall publish tuition, all compulsory charges and refund conditions before admission. Undisclosed charges and withholding grades or documents for payments not due are prohibited. Student contracts shall be lodged in a standard form, and the Authority and Ministry may monitor compliance and protect academic records.
Article (82) — Continuity of study in private institutions
Private institutions shall maintain financial and educational continuity plans and transferable records. Regulations may require insurance, a guarantee or reserves proportionate to closure risk. If an institution fails, the Ministry, in coordination with the Authority, shall arrange transfer or education until degree requirements are completed without imposing unfair costs on students.
Article (83) — Equal application of quality standards
Public institutions shall receive no permanent presumption of quality because of State ownership, nor shall private institutions be treated as inferior merely because of ownership form. Accreditation decisions shall use the same evidence and standards, accounting for differing missions, risks and financial laws.
Article (84) — Cross-border education
Foreign branches, cross-border education providers and arrangements awarding a foreign qualification in Iraq shall be subject to registration, accreditation, educational consumer protection, and disclosure of the awarding body and recognition status in its home country.
Chapter Ten — Transitional and final provisions
Article (85) — Public university transition
Universities and units legally existing when this Law takes effect shall continue without re-establishment and shall be deemed transitionally accredited for three years, during which institutional evaluation shall be completed under the Authority’s risk-based schedule. Admissions and degree awards shall not cease because of transition unless a serious risk is established.
Article (86) — Private institution transition
Existing private institution licences shall continue, subject to institutional and programme accreditation within a schedule not exceeding three years. Non-compliant programmes shall receive reasonable corrective plans before admissions are suspended, except in cases of serious danger, fraud or absence of basic safety requirements.
Article (87) — Staff legal status
Transfer of quality functions or university reorganisation shall not terminate employment or reduce salary or acquired rights. Staff shall transfer as needed or be redeployed under applicable laws, with qualifications and specialisms considered in placement.
Article (88) — Existing decisions and accreditations
Recognition, accreditation, ranking and regulatory decisions effective before this Law shall remain valid until expiry or replacement under it, unless inconsistent with a mandatory provision or detrimental to student safety. Previous accreditation data shall be a starting point, not a final judgment in the first evaluation cycle.
Article (89) — Relationship with the Ministry of Higher Education Law
This Law shall replace provisions governing public university autonomy, governance and accreditation in Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Law No. (40) of 1988, as amended, to the extent expressly and specifically identified herein and in accompanying amendments. Provisions governing Ministry headquarters, the Scientific Research Authority and effective ninth-amendment provisions, excluding those declared unconstitutional, shall remain unless expressly inconsistent with this Law.
Article (90) — Respect for the 2025 constitutional judgment
In applying leadership appointment, post-creation and expenditure provisions, the Council of Ministers’ constitutional powers, equal opportunities and binding Federal Supreme Court rulings shall be respected, particularly judgment (207/Federal/2024) of 19 August 2025. This Law shall not be interpreted as granting the Minister powers reserved to the Council of Ministers or creating financial burdens through unconstitutional procedures.
Article (91) — Regulations and instructions
The Council of Ministers shall issue implementing regulations within one year of publication. The Authority shall issue accreditation standards and evaluation guides, and the Ministry shall issue instructions within its competence. Significant draft standards shall undergo public consultation for at least thirty days, unless an urgent situation requires otherwise and reasons are stated.
Article (92) — Repeal of conflicting provisions
Any provision inconsistent with this Law shall be repealed to the extent of inconsistency. Within eighteen months, the Ministry of Justice, in coordination with the Ministry and Authority, shall prepare consolidated relevant legislation for due referral. Delay in consolidation shall not suspend rights or powers established herein.
Article (93) — Legislative review
Five years after entry into force, the government shall submit to the Council of Representatives a comprehensive report on the Law’s effects on university autonomy, quality, accreditation, student protection and regulatory costs, including amendment recommendations where necessary. The Authority’s work and effectiveness shall undergo independent review every five years, with findings published.
Article (94) — Entry into force
This Law shall take effect six months after publication in the Official Gazette. Authority establishment and function-transfer provisions shall follow a transitional schedule not exceeding eighteen months. Existing bodies shall continue their functions until formal handover to avoid a regulatory vacuum.
Statement of reasons
To implement the constitutional right to free education and encouragement of scientific research, excellence and innovation; modernise higher education legislation for university autonomy, governance and accountability; protect academic freedom and student rights; separate policy-making, education provision and external evaluation; unify accreditation and quality assurance within a technically independent national system; and align Iraqi qualifications with international standards while preserving constitutional competences and public-funds oversight, this Law is enacted.
General explanatory memorandum
1. Why a new law rather than a limited tenth amendment?
The ninth amendment of 2024 matters, but addressed specific structural issues within a law dating to 1988. University autonomy, accreditation, quality assurance, academic freedom and student protection require an integrated structure, not scattered additions to old provisions. A separate framework law governing higher education institutions and quality is therefore preferable, retaining the Ministry Law for its headquarters and Scientific Research Authority until subsequent legislative consolidation.
2. What does autonomy mean?
Autonomy does not mean separation from the State. A public university remains publicly funded and subject to courts, financial audit and integrity oversight. The change is that the Ministry no longer ratifies every academic detail: the university council is responsible for curricula, programmes, academic policies and internal resources, then held accountable through accreditation, data, outcomes and audit. Oversight shifts from ‘permanent prior permission’ to ‘responsible, assessable authority’.
3. Why a technically independent accreditation authority?
The Ministry makes policy and is effectively the State owner of public universities. If it also finally judges their quality, a structural conflict arises. European ESG standards and comparative models separate external quality functions with varying independence. The proposal does not create a parallel system from scratch: it transfers existing Quality Assurance and Accreditation Department and sectoral council functions into one statutory authority, at lower cost and with greater clarity.
4. Why do some appointment powers remain outside universities?
The 2025 federal judgment held that granting the Minister appointment powers over assistant university presidents and deans at director-general grade conflicted with Council of Ministers competence and equal opportunities. The proposal therefore does not seek to bypass the judgment under the heading of autonomy. Universities conduct competition, search and nomination, but appointment decisions rest with the constitutionally competent body according to grade. If positions are later reclassified by a new University Service Law, universities’ final decision-making powers may then expand.
5. Why not accredit every programme in the same way?
Intensive annual accreditation of every programme creates a huge administrative burden without reflecting differences in risk. Medicine, engineering and certain regulated professions need strong specialist scrutiny; other programmes can be governed through institutional accreditation and periodic reviews. The proposal therefore uses risk-based regulation and permits mature universities limited self-accreditation while retaining oversight.
6. Protecting free education
Constitutional Article (34) provides free education at all levels. The proposal protects the regular free public pathway and prevents financial autonomy from becoming an unrestricted mandate to charge fees. It does not abolish evening, parallel or continuing education programmes governed by special laws and decisions; it requires legal authority, transparency and protection against weakening the free pathway.
7. Private higher education
Law 25 of 2016 remains the foundation for establishment, ownership and management. The change transfers final academic judgments on quality to a unified national accreditation system. Developments in 2026, including suspension of admissions in departments lacking accreditation followed by a halt to new establishments, show quality-based regulation is a practical necessity. The proposal makes suspension or cessation graduated, reasoned and reviewable, while protecting enrolled students.
8. Relationship with the Bologna Process
Iraq’s 2025/2026 guide adopted Bologna Process elements, credits and ESG standards. The Law does not make ‘Bologna’ a rigid requirement for every discipline; it establishes learning outcomes, credits, mutual recognition and transparency as foundations and permits alignment with international systems. This keeps it usable if academic guides change in future.
Alignment with existing legislation
| Legislation/framework | What remains | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Higher Education Law No. 40 of 1988, as amended | Organisation of Ministry headquarters, the Scientific Research Authority and compatible provisions | This Law replaces centralised university governance and accreditation provisions to the extent of conflict, followed by an alignment package updating cross-references. |
| Law 17 of 2024 | The Scientific Research Authority, its resources and effective innovation powers not declared unconstitutional | Respect the binding effect of judgment 207/Federal/2024 on Articles 2 and 11. |
| University Service Law No. 23 of 2008 | Rights, duties, service, allowances and academic titles under its applicable provisions | Supplement with academic freedom and transparent appointment safeguards; no parallel pay scale is created. |
| Private Higher Education Law No. 25 of 2016 | Establishment, ownership, management, financing and contractual relationships | Institutional and programme accreditation becomes subject to the National Authority, with Ministry references amended accordingly. |
| Financial management, audit, procurement and integrity laws | Remain applicable to public universities | Oversight becomes retrospective and risk-based wherever possible within delegated powers. |
When referred, the bill shall include an explicit schedule amending or repealing conflicting articles of Law (40) of 1988 and Law (25) of 2016, because a general repeal-of-conflicts clause alone cannot remove legislative overlap. Specific cross-reference provisions shall complete alignment, preserve compatible rules and prevent a legal vacuum during transition.
Financial and implementation impact
The proposal sets no aggregate financial figure because publicly available data do not permit reliable university-level estimates of autonomy and accreditation costs. Costs also depend on whether current quality functions actually transfer to the Authority or are duplicated. The draft chooses transfer, reducing establishment costs and preventing regulatory duplication.
| Item | Impact type | Control mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion of the Quality Department and councils into the Authority | Relatively limited transition cost | Transfer staff, assets and systems instead of creating a parallel apparatus |
| National register and digital connectivity | Establishment, followed by operation | Use existing Ministry platforms and interoperability |
| Accreditation and external review teams | Recurring operation | Public budget + reasonable private-institution fees, without linking revenue to accreditation outcomes |
| University financial autonomy | No automatic funding increase | Redistribute spending authority within existing appropriations; increases pass through the budget |
| Student safeguards at struggling institutions | Potential risk | Private-institution insurance/reserves or guarantees instead of transferring private losses to the treasury |
Constitutional note: because creating the Authority, staffing and financing may burden the budget, the safest route is government adoption before referral to the Council of Representatives, accompanied by a detailed financial impact paper, consistent with principles affirmed by the Federal Supreme Court in its judgment published in 2025 on the ninth amendment.
Relevant international comparison
UNESCO 1997: provides a global framework for academic freedom, institutional autonomy and teaching staff responsibilities. The proposal uses it to protect research and teaching against unlawful interference while preserving responsibility, discipline and research ethics.
ESG / European area: divides quality assurance into internal, external and agency regulation, emphasising independent evaluation procedures. Since Iraq’s Bologna guide for 2025/2026 draws on ESG, legislating technical independence for accreditation aligns with an existing national direction.
Jordan: a specialist higher education accreditation and quality assurance authority offers a regional example of separating accreditation from everyday university administration. The Iraqi proposal does not copy the model; it uses the regulatory principle while integrating existing Iraqi units.
Australia / TEQSA: risk-based regulation shows that autonomy does not mean absence of oversight and that regulators need not impose identical intervention on every institution. The proposal therefore permits conditional self-accreditation for mature institutions and graduated measures from improvement plans to admissions suspension or withdrawal.
Sources and references
- Constitution of the Republic of Iraq, 2005 — Iraqi Council of Representatives
Article 34 guarantees free education, encourages scientific research and regulates private education; also relevant are equality, equal opportunities and executive competences.
https://iq.parliament.iq/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A/ - Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research — Ministry Law No. (40) of 1988, as amended
The Ministry’s and public universities’ basic legal framework before the ninth amendment, showing extensive central powers over admissions, curricula and establishment.
https://mohesr.gov.iq/ar/post/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86-2022-12-31-09 - Ministry of Justice — Iraqi Gazette No. 4785, Law No. (17) of 2024
The ninth amendment to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Law, including Scientific Research Authority reorganisation and modernisation of several sectoral powers.
https://www.moj.gov.iq/view.8306/ - Ministry of Justice — Iraqi Gazette No. 4838, Federal Supreme Court decision 207/Federal/2024
Judgment of 19 August 2025 declaring Articles (2) and (11) of the ninth amendment unconstitutional concerning appointment powers and added financial burdens, explaining constitutional limits on legislation and implementation.
https://moj.gov.iq/upload/pdf/98ebb60c99cdddf2_4838_compressed.pdf - Ministry of Higher Education — Scientific Supervision and Evaluation Apparatus / Quality Assurance and Academic Accreditation Department
Documents existing quality and accreditation infrastructure, including accreditation, quality assurance and performance evaluation units, enabling reorganisation rather than a new parallel apparatus.
https://mohesr.gov.iq/ar/ministrySection/46 - Ministry of Higher Education — Iraqi University Ranking 2025, published 4 January 2026
Assessed 103 public and private institutions across nine dimensions, including institutional accreditation, research, compliance, internationalisation and safety.
https://mohesr.gov.iq/ar/post/%D8%A8%D8%BA%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%26hellip%3B-%D8%A5%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-2026-01-04-12 - Ministry of Higher Education — suspension of admissions to private departments failing programme accreditation requirements, 10 March 2026
Current application of linking continued admissions to completion of programme accreditation under the Private Higher Education Law.
https://mohesr.gov.iq/ar/post/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%82%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9-2026-03-10-16 - Ministry of Higher Education — halt to establishment of private universities and colleges, 30 June 2026
Reflects the current need to link expansion to regulatory capacity and quality instead of uncontrolled numerical growth.
https://www.mohesr.gov.iq/ar/post/%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%A5%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%81-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AB-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-2026-06-30-15 - National Education Strategy in Iraq 2022–2031 — Ministry of Higher Education
Identifies quality, accreditation, higher education governance, external efficiency and scientific research as principal reform priorities.
https://dirasat.mohesr.gov.iq/assets/documents/files/National-Strategy-Education.pdf - Guide to Adopting the Bologna Process in Iraqi Universities 2025/2026 — Ministry of Higher Education
Documents transition to credits and learning outcomes, implementation of quality assurance requirements and guidance from ESG standards.
https://mohesr.gov.iq/ar/assets/img/uploaded_files/04122025.pdf - Private Higher Education Law No. (25) of 2016 — Ministry of Justice/text officially circulated through universities
Framework for establishing and supervising private universities, colleges and institutes; remains the basis for ownership and licensing, aligned with national accreditation.
https://www.moj.gov.iq/view.2593/ - UNESCO – Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel (1997)
International reference for academic freedom, institutional autonomy and higher education personnel responsibilities; under international review in 2026.
https://www.unesco.org/en/higher-education/1997recommendation - ENQA – Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG)
Reference framework for internal and external quality and independent quality assurance agencies, also used in Iraqi Bologna guides.
https://www.enqa.eu/esg-standards-and-guidelines-for-quality-assurance-in-the-european-higher-education-area/ - Jordan — Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions / Accreditation Law
Regional example of separating accreditation and quality assurance within a specialist authority.
https://www.heac.org.jo/Ar/List/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86 - Australia – TEQSA Higher Education Standards Framework 2021, amended 2026
Comparative model for risk-based regulation, institutional governance, internal quality assurance and student protection.
https://www.teqsa.gov.au/how-we-regulate/higher-education-standards-framework-2021
The draft determines the current legal position from the Constitution, Iraqi Gazette, Ministry of Higher Education and official sources. International and comparative standards inform governance and quality design, not replace Iraqi law.