Iraq's higher education ministry authorizes universities to process graduate admissions

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdulhussein al-Musavi has authorized universities, colleges and institutes to process graduate program admission results, Iraq's government media office said. Under the decision, candidates who scored between 40 and 44 on the competitive entrance examination will receive up to five additional points to help fill remaining seats, provided vacancies exist within the acceptance plan. The ministry said the additional points are intended to extend the opportunity to as broad a pool of applicants as possible. Assignments will be carried out according to the highest differentiation rate among applicants, the ministry added. Universities and other covered institutions have been instructed to complete processing and fill vacant seats within three days of the notification date and to report the details back to the ministry. Once admissions are finalized, the institutions are required to issue university acceptance orders without delay in line with applicable regulations.