AHU Receives Positive External Evaluation of Its Bologna Process Implementation
Al-Hadba University has received a favourable institutional evaluation report on its implementation of the Bologna Process. The report was prepared by the external evaluator Dr. Ekin Burak Arikan of Webster University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, following his review visit to the University in September 2026.
🌐 An External View of AHU's Bologna Journey
The evaluation reviewed how the University is implementing the Bologna Process. It drew on the evaluator's presentation and on discussions with the University's leadership, deans and heads of departments. The report describes Al-Hadba University as a positive example of Bologna implementation in a relatively small private university. It notes that the University's progress goes beyond formal requirements and reflects a real understanding of how the different Bologna elements work together to support educational quality.
🔎 Key Findings of the Report
✅ A capable team with a strong understanding of the purpose and systematic logic of the Bologna Process.
✅ Particular recognition of Prof. Dr. Salah Ismaeel Yahya, Vice President for Scientific Affairs. The evaluator described his Bologna experience and guidance as an important institutional strength that gives direction to the team's work.
✅ The University's small size and organisational agility support direct academic exchange and timely follow-up.
✅ In the evaluator's experience, Al-Hadba University is among the more advanced universities he has encountered in certain aspects of its approach to quality assurance.
✅ Certain aspects of AHU's quality assurance thinking are among the stronger examples in the Iraqi higher-education context.
✅ The University clearly understands that learning outcomes, curriculum structure, assessment, student workload and ECTS gain their value through their connections with each other.
🤝 Participants in the Review Session
The morning presentation was followed by a lively discussion and Q&A session. The evaluator said this exchange showed the participants' depth of understanding of Bologna principles. Participants included:
- Prof. Dr. Salah Ismaeel Yahya – Vice President for Scientific Affairs
- Prof. Dr. Hasan Subhi Hasan – Vice President for Administrative Affairs
- Mr. Fahad Mahir Taha – Head of Quality Assurance and Performance Evaluation
- The Deans of the Colleges of Administration and Economics, Art, Technical Engineering, Law, Computer Science and Mathematics, Engineering, and Nursing
- Heads of academic departments across the University
🏫 Priorities for Continued Development
The report recommends building on these strengths in the following ways:
✅ Consolidating a continuous quality-enhancement cycle, with concise records of academic decisions and their effects.
✅ Sharing expertise across the University through peer discussion, practical examples and shared guidance.
✅ Using student workload and student and staff feedback to refine learning.
✅ Reflecting required internships within workload and ECTS. The report presents this as a system-level issue for Iraqi higher education, not a shortcoming specific to Al-Hadba.
🚀 Looking Ahead
The report concludes that Al-Hadba University deserves recognition for the quality of its team and its understanding of the Bologna Process. It states that the University has a credible path towards a sustained quality culture, in which Bologna structures contribute directly to improving student learning. The University values this independent evaluation. It affirms its commitment to building on the recommendations as part of its ongoing quality assurance and international alignment efforts.
👉 To read the full evaluation report: Click here
📸 Photo gallery of the review session: Click here
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