The Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils (UASRC) held its 46th session, hosted by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, at the University of Baghdad.

The opening ceremony included official speeches by the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils, Dr Abdelmajid Benamara, the President of the 45th session, a representative of the Union of Arab Universities and the League of Arab States, and a lecture on science, technology and innovation indicators in the Arab world.

In this context, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr Naim Al-Aboudi welcomed in his speech the hosting of the 46th session of the Council of the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils, whose experts and representatives of member states are discussing and consolidating the executive map of the Union’s work, raising the level of scientific research and stimulating the joint work environment in accordance with the goals and mission of academic institutions with influence in their Arab, regional and global surroundings.

He explained that the challenges facing scientific research in the Arab world require working in a team spirit and a unified strategic vision, stressing that the excellence of Arab universities and institutions in terms of scientific research production makes them worthy of occupying positions referred to in international repositories and sober platforms.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Naim Al-Aboudi, called for the launch of the Arab Scientific Research Award and the study and adoption of the proposal by the General Secretariat of the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils and adding it to the approved awards in order to motivate the Arab researcher and form a joint committee to organise procedures and arrange financial awards for this purpose.

The Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Scientific Research Councils, Dr. Abdul Majid Benamara, honoured the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naim Al-Aboudi, in appreciation of his role in hosting the work of the 46th session, while the Minister of Education honoured the representatives of scientific research associations and the representative of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.