Iraq transfers master's admissions authority to universities with three-day deadline

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdulhussein al-Mawsaawi, has authorized universities and institutes to process master's degree examination results and assess admission applications. According to a statement from the government's Press and Communication Office, university, college and independent institute councils may now review applications from candidates who scored between 40 and 44 on the competitive examination. Candidates may receive up to five additional points to fill remaining capacity, with the process applied within available slots in the approved admissions plan. The ministry requires the admission procedures to be completed within three days of the notification date. All educational institutions must report the results to the ministry once processed. The decision is designed to fill vacancies among applicants at the highest possible differential rate, according to the statement.