The University of Basra for Oil and Gas achieved the position of (67) out of ninety-two Iraqi universities and colleges that were present in the (UI GreenMetric) global ranking for the year 2026, according to the data published on the official website of the ranking. The university also came in the ranking of (1269) out of 2016 internationally.This year's edition saw the participation of approximately (2016) university institutions from (110) countries around the worldThis ranking reflects the growing presence of Iraqi higher education institutions in the areas of university sustainability.The UI GreenMetric ranking ( https://uigreenmetric.com/rankings/university/overall-rankings-2026) is based on six key criteria for measuring universities’ performance in the field of sustainability, including campus work environment and infrastructure (15%), energy and climate change (21%), waste management (18%), optimal use of water (10%), transportation and mobility within campus (18%), as well as academic education and research programs (18%).
Under the patronage of the President of Basra Oil and Gas University, Professor Dr. Muhammad Halil Hafez Al-Kaabi, the Continuing Education Center at Basra Oil and Gas University organized, on Sunday morning, September 27, 2026, a specialized training course entitled “Preparation of Trainers (TOT)”, which aimed to develop the skills of a number of employees of the South Refineries Company, and was presented by the Head of the Training Division at the Continuing Education Center at the University, Assistant Lecturer Muntadhar Oraibi Jassim.The course included an intensive training program aimed at transforming participants from experts in their professional fields into professional trainers capable of transferring knowledge with high efficiency. The course focused on the psychology of adult learning and mechanisms for dealing with different patterns of trainees within the training hall, as well as enabling participants with effective presentation and delivery skills, and mastering body language and tone of voice to attract attention and break the barrier of fear in front of the audience.The course also included advanced practical training in how to build and prepare training packages and design activities and exercises professionally, while employing modern training tools and techniques to ensure employee interaction. This program comes within the framework of the University of Basra for Oil and Gas’s keenness to enhance joint cooperation with oil institutions and develop national cadres in a way that contributes to improving the work environment and achieving sustainable development.
The Council of the University of Basra for Oil and Gas held its second regular session for the academic year 2026-2027, chaired by the President of the University of Basra for Oil and Gas, Professor Dr. Muhammad Halil Hafez Al-Kaabi, on Tuesday morning, September 22, 2026, to discuss a number of topics related to academic and administrative work and digital transformation in the university’s colleges. The session addressed the progress and completion rates of data migration for the Student Information System (SIS) and the Examination Committee System (GB) across the university's colleges. It also reviewed the work stages and procedures necessary to finalize the migration and update processes. Furthermore, the council discussed mechanisms for completing the technical and administrative procedures related to the electronic systems, emphasizing the need for data monitoring and verification to ensure accuracy and integrity. At the end of the session, the council stressed the importance of continuing follow-up and coordination between the university’s departments, in order to contribute to enhancing digital transformation and developing the efficiency of academic and administrative work.
On Wednesday morning, September 23, 2026, the President of the University of Basra for Oil and Gas, Professor Dr. Muhammad Halil Hafez Al-Kaabi, met with a group of top students from the College of Industrial Management for Oil and Gas, both morning and evening studies. The President of the University of Basra for Oil and Gas welcomed the top students at the beginning of the meeting, stressing that this meeting comes within the framework of direct parental communication with the students and under the title: (The student asks and the university president answers), with the aim of listening to their opinions and needs and answering their questions, in addition to providing educational, scientific and guidance advice, localizing experience and spreading the spirit of cooperation and teamwork.The meeting addressed a number of topics, including:1- Matching educational outputs with the requirements of the labor market in the oil sector and international companies.2- Developing students and preparing them for the labor market through practical training, skills development, support for innovation and entrepreneurship, and development of languages, especially English and digital software.3- Memoranda of cooperation, understanding and joint cooperation with national and international oil companies to provide job opportunities.4- Promoting a culture of thinking and analysis.5- Digital transformation, skills development, and computer simulation.6- Activating the role of qualification and employment. Two days ago, an interview was held with graduates of the College of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, and the university seeks to provide employment opportunities and interviews for fourth-year students and graduates with international oil companies operating in Basra Governorate, in line with the requirements of the labor market in the oil and gas sector.7- The new university building is designed according to the latest international designs and includes all the infrastructure that develops the capabilities and skills of students.Al-Kaabi also emphasized the university and its colleges’ commitment to updating and developing curricula to meet the requirements of the local and global oil industry, in addition to organizing scientific and field trips to oil companies operating in Basra to enhance the practical aspect and link academic knowledge with the reality of work.At the conclusion of the meeting, and based on the request of the dear students, the President of the University directed that development courses be held during the summer vacation for the students of the college, in order to contribute to developing their skills and enhancing their scientific and professional readiness for the labor market. He also explained to his students that the university does not only grant academic certificates, but the graduates of the College of Industrial Management for Oil and Gas are administrative leaders and specialists in oil economics, oil marketing, oil accounting and oil and gas project management, and they possess the leadership skills in administrative negotiation and digital transformation to work in advanced and professional work environments.
The Chinese oil company ZPEC discussed mutual scientific cooperation with the University of Basra for Oil and Gas. This came during a visit by a delegation from the Chinese company to the University of Basra for Oil and Gas on Sunday morning, September 20, 2026, where the President of the University of Basra for Oil and Gas, Professor Dr. Muhammad Halil Hafez Al-Kaabi, welcomed the company's delegation after conducting interviews with 50 male and female students for the purpose of evaluation and selecting those who passed the interviews for the purpose of training and work in the Chinese company.The two sides discussed ways of mutual scientific cooperation, and Al-Kaabi appreciated during the meeting the efforts of the Chinese company in conducting job interviews for graduates of the College of Oil and Gas Engineering for the academic year 2025-2026. The meeting began with the following briefing: (Oil, gas and minerals: active resources for the Iraqi economy coupled with the transfer and localization of technology and its development to build extractive and transformative industries).The University President, Professor Dr. Mohammed Hilal Hafez Al-Kaabi, explained that Iraq faces a dual structural challenge in its contemporary era: the transition from a rentier, one-sided economy entirely dependent on fluctuations in crude oil prices, and the need to meet the demands of technological development in the energy and resource sectors. In this context, our university's vision emerges as an intellectual and scientific framework that seeks to link natural resources with academic knowledge and advanced technological applications. He considers the localization of technology the only way to build a sustainable economic future through the complete investment of resources: from extraction to added value. The economic philosophy of this vision is based on moving beyond the concept of an "oil-producing state that exports raw materials" towards building an integrated industrial environment. Oil, gas, and minerals are not merely commodities for direct sale, but rather essential inputs for high-value manufacturing industries. This also includes investing in associated gas by halting its waste and flaring and utilizing it to secure electricity and operate industrial complexes, thus reducing financial losses and minimizing environmental impact. This should be done in parallel with exploiting free gas, increasing exploration areas, and expanding petrochemicals by converting hydrocarbon derivatives into high-value-added materials. This will bolster the local market and open up non-oil export opportunities, as well as activate mineral resources by exploiting geological deposits of phosphate, sulfur, and silica to establish a national industrial base that reduces the heavy reliance on raw material imports. Al-Kaabi explained that technology transfer and localization is the gateway to a knowledge-based economy.The concept of "technology localization" is not limited to importing modern machinery and software, but extends to the process of absorption, adaptation, and development within Iraqi institutions. This is achieved by relying on local talent through the preparation of engineers and technicians capable of managing complex projects and designing technical solutions without the constant need for foreign expertise. This is accomplished through digital empowerment and artificial intelligence by introducing process automation and big data management technologies in exploration and drilling operations to manage resources with high efficiency. It also involves targeted strategic partnerships and agreements with international companies regarding the transfer and localization of technological knowledge, supporting training and development programs for national personnel, and fostering integration between academic institutions and industrial sectors. He added that specialized educational institutions like the University of Basra for Oil and Gas serve as the main conduit for implementing this vision by linking scientific research to field applications, represented by applied research, and encouraging research centers to solve technical and environmental problems facing industrial sectors. This includes working to protect and register patents and aligning educational outcomes by developing curricula to keep pace with the latest global scientific developments. This ensures that the labor market is supplied with highly qualified professionals possessing excellent scientific capabilities and executive skills, working in conjunction with sustainability and environmental transformation. This is achieved by integrating the concept of renewable energy and carbon reduction solutions into academic and industrial programs to ensure alignment with energy trends. The future of globalization.In conclusion, Mr. Al-Kaabi pointed out that this vision presents a developmental model for natural resources and a means to finance scientific and technological transformation, not merely a temporary financial lifeline. Building a robust and diversified Iraqi economy is not achieved solely through the volume of oil production, but rather through our ability to acquire, localize, and apply technology to serve comprehensive development.
The University of Basra for Oil and Gas participated in the opening day of the Iraq International Oil and Gas Exhibition for Oil Equipment, Energy, and Petrochemicals, following an official invitation from the exhibition management and organizing companies. The event took place on Thursday morning, September 24, 2026, at the Basra International Exhibition Center (Maqal Port). Representing the President of the University of Basra for Oil and Gas, Professor Dr. Mohammed Hilal Hafez Al-Kaabi, were Assistant Administrative Assistant Professor Dr. Nassif Jassim Ali Al-Abadi, Assistant Scientific Assistant Professor Dr. Ammar Kadhim Al-Baaj, and Assistant Administrative Assistant at the College of Industrial Management for Oil and Gas, Assistant Professor Dr. Haider Ali Al-Asadi. A number of faculty members and students from the university also participated in a field visit to the exhibition. The delegation toured the exhibition halls, viewing the equipment, ideas, and visions of the participating local and international oil companies. The exhibition is held under the patronage of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Oil, with significant international participation from major Arab and foreign companies, and official attendance from the local and central governments and representatives of diplomatic missions in Iraq. The university's participation also included a panel discussion. The lectures were given by managers of oil and electricity companies, under the management of the Head of the Department of Oil and Gas Economics at the College of Industrial Management for Oil and Gas, Assistant Professor Dr. Adnan Hadi Jaaz. During the lectures, the future of Iraq in the fields of oil, gas and electricity was discussed. Jaaz explained during his management of the scientific dialogue session the importance of the University of Basra for Oil and Gas as a strategic partner for the oil and gas industry sector by absorbing the university’s outputs and aligning the university’s curricula with the needs of the oil sector. Professors and students also presented brochures and informational guides about the university and its colleges during their tour of the oil companies. This participation comes within the university’s directions for scientific openness to oil companies within the field of specialization and increasing the practical knowledge of dear students in all college specializations.
