Iraqi higher education ministry bans officials from evening undergraduate studies

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has barred public officials from enrolling in first-stage evening undergraduate programs while in service. The decision applies to members of parliament, ministers, deputy ministers, directors general and employees in higher special grades, regardless of whether they would attend on personal expense or study leave. The ministry said the ban is based on a 21 June 2026 letter from the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and Council of Ministers Resolution No. 2026/11, which found no legal basis for obtaining an undergraduate degree while in government service. The statement also recalled that Article 12, first paragraph of the 2020/20 Law on Equivalence of Foreign and Arab Diplomas was repealed under amendment No. 2025/11. The ministry did not specify when the new enrollment restriction takes effect or how it will be enforced at universities.