Role of national and international ranking in the development of higher education institutions in Iraq
Dr. Sameera Saeed
February 22nd 2022 - Iraq
Unlocking the Potential: The Impact of National Rankings on Iraqi Universities
Welcome to "Unlocking the Potential: The Impact of National Rankings on Iraqi Universities." In this enlightening presentation, Samira Saeed, a prominent figure in Iraqi higher education, delves into the compelling world of national rankings and their profound influence on universities in Iraq. Join us as we explore the pivotal role played by national rankings in shaping the academic landscape of the country.
Samira Saeed, representing Tisk International University, provides a comprehensive overview of the subject matter. The discussion revolves around two pivotal national ranking systems in Iraq: "Iraq's Ranking of Universities" and the "National University Ranking." Samira meticulously dissects their criteria, methodologies, and, most importantly, their impact on Iraqi universities.
The presentation addresses two critical questions:
The session covers various areas of focus within rankings, such as research, academic staff, internationalization, and more. Samira also highlights the existence of national rankings, showcasing the efforts of various countries to establish their own ranking systems when global rankings fall short.
A detailed look at Iraq's higher education system reveals the unique structure of higher education institutions, including technical institutes and universities, public, and private universities offering a diverse range of degrees. Samira introduces us to the Iraqi National Ranking of Universities, emphasizing its objectives and methodology.
Furthermore, the Kurdistan Regional Government's National Universities Ranking (NUR) is explored, shedding light on its objectives and methodology as well. Samira provides an in-depth analysis of how these rankings have spurred significant improvements in Iraqi universities, with a sharp increase in research publications and international collaborations.
Several case studies, including the University of Baghdad, University of Babylon, University of Kufa, and others, showcase the tangible impact of these ranking systems on academic output.
Samira delves into the factors behind the surge in research publications and highlights the disparity in weightage given to research versus student-related criteria in these rankings. She raises essential questions about the balance between research and student-centric aspects in higher education.
The presentation concludes with an introduction to UNIRANKS, offering a glimpse of a promising new international ranking system with a student-centric approach.
In summary, "Unlocking the Potential: The Impact of National Rankings on Iraqi Universities" provides a thought-provoking exploration of the transformative influence of national rankings on the Iraqi higher education landscape. Samira Saeed's insights and recommendations offer valuable insights for universities worldwide. Join us on this enlightening journey and gain a deeper understanding of the evolving world of academic rankings.
Samira Saeed, representing Tisk International University, provides a comprehensive overview of the subject matter. The discussion revolves around two pivotal national ranking systems in Iraq: "Iraq's Ranking of Universities" and the "National University Ranking." Samira meticulously dissects their criteria, methodologies, and, most importantly, their impact on Iraqi universities.
The presentation addresses two critical questions:
- How can national rankings enhance and elevate universities?
- How do the criteria and weightage of these rankings impact the strategic planning of universities?
The session covers various areas of focus within rankings, such as research, academic staff, internationalization, and more. Samira also highlights the existence of national rankings, showcasing the efforts of various countries to establish their own ranking systems when global rankings fall short.
A detailed look at Iraq's higher education system reveals the unique structure of higher education institutions, including technical institutes and universities, public, and private universities offering a diverse range of degrees. Samira introduces us to the Iraqi National Ranking of Universities, emphasizing its objectives and methodology.
Furthermore, the Kurdistan Regional Government's National Universities Ranking (NUR) is explored, shedding light on its objectives and methodology as well. Samira provides an in-depth analysis of how these rankings have spurred significant improvements in Iraqi universities, with a sharp increase in research publications and international collaborations.
Several case studies, including the University of Baghdad, University of Babylon, University of Kufa, and others, showcase the tangible impact of these ranking systems on academic output.
Samira delves into the factors behind the surge in research publications and highlights the disparity in weightage given to research versus student-related criteria in these rankings. She raises essential questions about the balance between research and student-centric aspects in higher education.
The presentation concludes with an introduction to UNIRANKS, offering a glimpse of a promising new international ranking system with a student-centric approach.
In summary, "Unlocking the Potential: The Impact of National Rankings on Iraqi Universities" provides a thought-provoking exploration of the transformative influence of national rankings on the Iraqi higher education landscape. Samira Saeed's insights and recommendations offer valuable insights for universities worldwide. Join us on this enlightening journey and gain a deeper understanding of the evolving world of academic rankings.
Speakers Info
Dr. Sameera Saeed Quality Assurance and Accreditation office at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Dr. Samira T. Saeed is a highly experienced and qualified professional in the field of quality assurance and accreditation in higher education. She currently works at the Quality Assurance and Accreditation office at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kurdistan Region-Iraq. She has a Ph.D. in Theoretical Linguistics from Newcastle University, UK, and has over 10 years of experience in quality assurance and accreditation in higher education.
Session Script: Role of national and international ranking in the development of higher education institutions in Iraq
Introduction
Samira Saeed
Hi everyone, this is Sameera Saeed, from Iraq, Tisk international University
Today's title is the impact of national rankings on university case studies. I hope everyone is enjoying the WHERS conference. I will present case studies from Iraqi universities to highlight the importance of national rankings and their role in promoting universities in the country. The discussion will feature information data and examples of two national orders implemented in Iraq, Iraq's ranking of universities and the national university ranking. Also, the impact these rankings have heard on universities in terms of research, mainly due to the high weight allocated to study, which affected the strategic planning of universities. The content will answer these two interrelated questions. How can national rankings improve or promote universities? And how can the criteria and weights of orders affect the strategic planning of universities? For this, I will talk about rankings and areas of interest. The higher education system and national rankings implemented in Iraq and case studies of universities and my presentation with a few recommendations.
I believe we all agree that global and national rankings aim to do many things. They aim to offer decent a decent demonstration of universities' performance in a variety of aspects, especially those rankings by sat subjects and fields, there may be specific, and of course, help improve the search of universities by showing them their strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly.
Hi everyone, this is Sameera Saeed, from Iraq, Tisk international University
Today's title is the impact of national rankings on university case studies. I hope everyone is enjoying the WHERS conference. I will present case studies from Iraqi universities to highlight the importance of national rankings and their role in promoting universities in the country. The discussion will feature information data and examples of two national orders implemented in Iraq, Iraq's ranking of universities and the national university ranking. Also, the impact these rankings have heard on universities in terms of research, mainly due to the high weight allocated to study, which affected the strategic planning of universities. The content will answer these two interrelated questions. How can national rankings improve or promote universities? And how can the criteria and weights of orders affect the strategic planning of universities? For this, I will talk about rankings and areas of interest. The higher education system and national rankings implemented in Iraq and case studies of universities and my presentation with a few recommendations.
I believe we all agree that global and national rankings aim to do many things. They aim to offer decent a decent demonstration of universities' performance in a variety of aspects, especially those rankings by sat subjects and fields, there may be specific, and of course, help improve the search of universities by showing them their strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly.
Areas Of Focus
The common areas of focus in rankings are mostly research. And you can see in different orders, like several publications, citations, and stuff like that. The second thing is academic stuff. Like ratio, students ratio balance. Several Ph.D. holders, Master's holders, and internationalization might come on international staff. How many international students are recruited? Well, universities are not met only for research. There is a wide range of aspects as important as research, but unfortunately, not given multiple accounts in many rankings, such as facilities, student satisfaction, scientific awards, academic achievements, employability, web content, and quality of presence and accreditation.
National Rankings
In addition to global rankings, there are several national rankings. The rankings are shown in this table here, such as National Taiwan University Ranking, I-UGR ranking in Spain, Bulgarian University Ranking System, IRU & NUR in Iraq, Pakistan Higher Education University Ranking, the Greater China ranking, and Macedonian Higher Education Institutions Rankings. Now, why is there a need for national ranking admission here? Four main reasons, which pushed higher education systems in some countries to develop their rankings on a national level. First universities may not be in a position to be included in global rankings. Maybe there are small, not meeting the criteria, inability of international rankings to offer a complete coverage, failure of global rankings failure of global markets to consider universities, diversities and global rankings are interested in rocking world class or top universities in the world.
HIGHER EDUCATION, IRAQ
Coming to higher education system in Iraq, there are two higher education ministries: one is the central government, and another concerns the regional government, which is the northern part of Iraq. Higher education institutions include technical institutes and universities, public and private university education, Bachelor's degree for six years Technical Education for two years.
The types of degrees offered are higher, Bachelor's, Masters's, and doctoral degrees.
HEIS FIGURE
Some figures here, universities that are in the center and south, public there are 36 Private 47 universities, and a total of 1729 scientific departments in the Kurdistan Region, public 15 and private 15 universities and a total of 630 scientific departments. The two rankings national rankings Iraqi National for universities, this is managed by the Minister of Higher Education, MOHESR in the central government the first decision was in 2000 to 18 1718. But the idea started in 2016. Ministry and the second national university ranking or new, which the Ministry of Higher Education manages in the Kurdistan Region, government's first edition was in 2015.
IRAQI RANKING OF UNIVERSITIES
Okay, now, the objectives of the Iraqi ranking of universities will promote the education process, improve the university environment, improve the performance of academic staff, and enhance researcher excellence. The third one, they improve it most probably by their research, excellence by publishing, attending maybe conferences and workshops presenting also there are two levels departmental level and institutional level. Departmental level, there are four criteria students are 15%. By this they mean students satisfaction and ratio students staff ratio 15% academic stuff 20% Like several professors, number of Ph.D. holders, assistant professors master degrees, so on. The efficiency of scientific research, 30% quality and program accreditation 35% Coming to methodology, adopted for institutional level, there are eight criteria, students 15% academic staff ten people scientific research 20% institutional reputation 20% So if a university gets an institutional reputation, they will get 20%, 20 points, international diversity 5%, resources 10% better. The income and funding the University gets Community Services 5% international rankings 50% So if a university is listed in a global scale, they will get 15 points.
KRG-National Universities Ranking
Objectives
Now coming to NUR, KRG, supports universities to update and modify their vision to meet the vision of the Minister of Higher Education and consumption, adapt the culture of international ranking, focus on their weaknesses and strengths, market themselves, improve their online presence and improve their presence in different global rankings.
The types of degrees offered are higher, Bachelor's, Masters's, and doctoral degrees.
HEIS FIGURE
Some figures here, universities that are in the center and south, public there are 36 Private 47 universities, and a total of 1729 scientific departments in the Kurdistan Region, public 15 and private 15 universities and a total of 630 scientific departments. The two rankings national rankings Iraqi National for universities, this is managed by the Minister of Higher Education, MOHESR in the central government the first decision was in 2000 to 18 1718. But the idea started in 2016. Ministry and the second national university ranking or new, which the Ministry of Higher Education manages in the Kurdistan Region, government's first edition was in 2015.
IRAQI RANKING OF UNIVERSITIES
Okay, now, the objectives of the Iraqi ranking of universities will promote the education process, improve the university environment, improve the performance of academic staff, and enhance researcher excellence. The third one, they improve it most probably by their research, excellence by publishing, attending maybe conferences and workshops presenting also there are two levels departmental level and institutional level. Departmental level, there are four criteria students are 15%. By this they mean students satisfaction and ratio students staff ratio 15% academic stuff 20% Like several professors, number of Ph.D. holders, assistant professors master degrees, so on. The efficiency of scientific research, 30% quality and program accreditation 35% Coming to methodology, adopted for institutional level, there are eight criteria, students 15% academic staff ten people scientific research 20% institutional reputation 20% So if a university gets an institutional reputation, they will get 20%, 20 points, international diversity 5%, resources 10% better. The income and funding the University gets Community Services 5% international rankings 50% So if a university is listed in a global scale, they will get 15 points.
KRG-National Universities Ranking
Objectives
Now coming to NUR, KRG, supports universities to update and modify their vision to meet the vision of the Minister of Higher Education and consumption, adapt the culture of international ranking, focus on their weaknesses and strengths, market themselves, improve their online presence and improve their presence in different global rankings.
Methodology
Academy staff, 10% Like this, include ratio, student-staff ratio, number of Ph.D. holders, Master holders, professors, number of system professors and so on. Scientific research 37% The highest wait here, like number of papers published in journals indexing private analytics and Scopus books, book chapters and also local journals, national and international scientific activities, workshops, conferences, student satisfaction 3% quality, this includes services accommodation, green area, accreditation program and institutional. These include cultural activities like our sports activities, joint project Community Services, library number of hotbox soft copies, and space devoted to each student
Well, there are four aspects, as you can see here, I can highlight here observed in the last two, three years after the implementation of these rankings, where universities have demonstrated outstanding performance as well as as we should see later. In terms of the enormous increase in publications, high index journals, especially those papers index, published in high index journals like Clarivate Analytics and Scopus, increasing joint projects with international institutions, and participation in international activities. I would also like to add that there is an increasing number of international staff to national activities, such as conferences, that might get focus on a number of research and publications in several universities, public and private, which I have collected from reports and communication with directors of quality assurance in these universities.
Well, there are four aspects, as you can see here, I can highlight here observed in the last two, three years after the implementation of these rankings, where universities have demonstrated outstanding performance as well as as we should see later. In terms of the enormous increase in publications, high index journals, especially those papers index, published in high index journals like Clarivate Analytics and Scopus, increasing joint projects with international institutions, and participation in international activities. I would also like to add that there is an increasing number of international staff to national activities, such as conferences, that might get focus on a number of research and publications in several universities, public and private, which I have collected from reports and communication with directors of quality assurance in these universities.
University of Baghdad
Coming to the University of Baghdad the University of Baghdad is the oldest University in Iraq and the Middle East, it was established in 1957. And it's located in Baghdad; there's a total of 6167. If you see here, Eero was the first edition in 2017-18. The idea was new, maybe universities were not sure what the ranking will be. What will be announced? So at that time, and even in 2016-17, a total of 2000 or 3000 obligations were included with artists and scopes. But since 2021, the huge increase into with a total of 23,354 papers in Scopus and Clarivate Analytics. Something very remarkable and erodes. Number one, public universities and tourism elicited some global rankings. The University of Babylon, this chart shows the increase of publications in Clarivate Analytics and Scopus in 2014-15, where there were 400 papers, and then 400, again, 500. But then you see in 2018-19 900 articles, just the double. And, again, there is a noticeable increase here.
The University of Kufa is a public university established in 1987; its faded image and in 2017-18, it was ranked ten and zero. And there were a total of sub 100 papers and 2019-20. It has elevated to run number five, from 10 to five in Iran, and there is a total of 2000 applications in Cloud Analytics and scores. Unstoppable University College was a private university in 2016. Here, I hope you can see it. There were only five papers in Clarivate Analytics and six in Scopus, which was established in 2010. Then in 2021, where there are 73 papers published in the draft now six and 155 in if you compare it to six, only six, huge, huge increase, the University of Solomonic coming to those universities in the sub-region. This is a public university established in 1968 with a total of 1981. There are four groups, group A, group B, C, and D; group A has been empty to now, since its first edition in 2016; it's open in order to encourage universities to perform well, not no university has still been qualified to, for this group. In 2019-20, there were only 346. There's increased to like within one year 100. More papers have been published, University of quiet public University. It had 467 stuff in 2019-20. There were 67 later, a year later, 106 papers.
University of Halabja is public; if you can see here, in 2016, there were only two papers, one paper in 2017 one two papers in 2018. And then in 2021, 64 papers, this is something outstanding. Tishk International University formerly like it was called the name the University in 2015-16. There were only 13 papers in clever analytics and scholars and 11 local papers like papers published in local journals, then in 2020-21 110 papers, and Scopus, Clarivate Analytics and 74. Local. Again, increase Kumar University is a private university. It's in Group C 2016 1718 papers. They will just eight nine papers, then in 2022-2020 182 papers, which goes on graduate analytics.
The University of Kufa is a public university established in 1987; its faded image and in 2017-18, it was ranked ten and zero. And there were a total of sub 100 papers and 2019-20. It has elevated to run number five, from 10 to five in Iran, and there is a total of 2000 applications in Cloud Analytics and scores. Unstoppable University College was a private university in 2016. Here, I hope you can see it. There were only five papers in Clarivate Analytics and six in Scopus, which was established in 2010. Then in 2021, where there are 73 papers published in the draft now six and 155 in if you compare it to six, only six, huge, huge increase, the University of Solomonic coming to those universities in the sub-region. This is a public university established in 1968 with a total of 1981. There are four groups, group A, group B, C, and D; group A has been empty to now, since its first edition in 2016; it's open in order to encourage universities to perform well, not no university has still been qualified to, for this group. In 2019-20, there were only 346. There's increased to like within one year 100. More papers have been published, University of quiet public University. It had 467 stuff in 2019-20. There were 67 later, a year later, 106 papers.
University of Halabja is public; if you can see here, in 2016, there were only two papers, one paper in 2017 one two papers in 2018. And then in 2021, 64 papers, this is something outstanding. Tishk International University formerly like it was called the name the University in 2015-16. There were only 13 papers in clever analytics and scholars and 11 local papers like papers published in local journals, then in 2020-21 110 papers, and Scopus, Clarivate Analytics and 74. Local. Again, increase Kumar University is a private university. It's in Group C 2016 1718 papers. They will just eight nine papers, then in 2022-2020 182 papers, which goes on graduate analytics.
Factors of publication increase
Now, what's behind this. One factor lay behind this beyond this increase in publications. Well, there are; I can see that the recent and current great numbers of applications are due to three main factors first increase of Iraqi journals and conference proceedings indexed in Scopus, which encouraged many academic researchers to write and publish the second implementation of incentive systems, which is a very effective strategy implemented by many universities, and promotion requirements like Ministry of Education. As part of their promotion instructions, you have to publish in grant attics and Scopus to be promoted.
Now, you can see a comparison between weights given to research and weights assigned to students. I want to highlight something here. Now, this significant increase that we have seen in publications is not entirely due to these factors to these three factors, but only but there's that factor of high weight given to research in the two rankings, at the departmental level, 30% at the institutional level, 20% in nor 37%. And you see in students 15%, still is good, like an institutional level 20, good. But if you see no threes, 3% for students, and optimistic 37. Huge difference. It’s true that we cannot deny the importance of research and the efforts made by researchers to contribute to their fields and specializations. But there's this question, do universities exist for this purpose only? Well, certainly not. Universities are there to grant degrees to students after they fulfill their degrees requirements and achieve learning outcomes for our students, so there's this next question our students, who are one of the most crucial customers, given the opportunity to share their views about this emphasis on the learning process offered to them. If yes, they are considered by who and how; unfortunately, most existing rankings focus on research rather than students. We have seen that publications have hugely increased in the last two years to three years in Iraq due to the strategies implemented by universities to increase publications, which highly take into consideration the high weight allocated to research as you can see, so imagine if students satisfaction is given more than 20 Say, don't you think that or agree that universities will then develop strategies that target students’ needs. Something maybe to consider and think about?
Now, you can see a comparison between weights given to research and weights assigned to students. I want to highlight something here. Now, this significant increase that we have seen in publications is not entirely due to these factors to these three factors, but only but there's that factor of high weight given to research in the two rankings, at the departmental level, 30% at the institutional level, 20% in nor 37%. And you see in students 15%, still is good, like an institutional level 20, good. But if you see no threes, 3% for students, and optimistic 37. Huge difference. It’s true that we cannot deny the importance of research and the efforts made by researchers to contribute to their fields and specializations. But there's this question, do universities exist for this purpose only? Well, certainly not. Universities are there to grant degrees to students after they fulfill their degrees requirements and achieve learning outcomes for our students, so there's this next question our students, who are one of the most crucial customers, given the opportunity to share their views about this emphasis on the learning process offered to them. If yes, they are considered by who and how; unfortunately, most existing rankings focus on research rather than students. We have seen that publications have hugely increased in the last two years to three years in Iraq due to the strategies implemented by universities to increase publications, which highly take into consideration the high weight allocated to research as you can see, so imagine if students satisfaction is given more than 20 Say, don't you think that or agree that universities will then develop strategies that target students’ needs. Something maybe to consider and think about?
UNIRANKS ENGINE METHODOLOGY
Okay, last word about UniRanks. First, congratulation on the establishment of UniRanks. I believe blocks will make a reliable and widely followed international ranking system. This is because the methodology it adopts establishes ranking committees and allows students to submit reviews will create a fair and transparent evaluation. Then, besides the criteria they focus on in terms of presence and visibility will promote universities and enable them to identify their actual competencies.
Conclusions and recommendations
These are my conclusions and recommendations. I will start from the bottom rankings and need to adopt a wide range of criteria to support universities in their decision-making and strategic planning. They also especially this is for IRU and NUR; no need to reconsider the distribution of weights. It will enable some of our universities to improve their research performance. Maybe there are other aspects to consider. National Labs prepare universities to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly initially at a national level, so perhaps this is an indirect call for other healthcare systems in the Arab world or outside to start with national rankings to start Step by Step gradually help universities improve themselves. And global rankings folk focus on world-class universities so there's this need for national rankings. These are my references and thank you very much for listening.
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