Iraq's higher education ministry bans extra fees for private university summer internships

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research issued binding directives to all private universities on Monday, based on correspondence from parliament's Higher Education Committee. The orders prohibit institutions from charging students any fee beyond standard tuition for summer internship placements. The ministry also ruled that students cannot be compelled to complete internships far from their place of residence or at a designated hospital, and must be offered suitable alternatives. The directives aim to reorganize the financial and administrative practices governing internships at private universities. Private universities that fail to comply will face legal and administrative action, the ministry said. No further details on the timeline for implementation or specific penalties were immediately available.