Iraqi Universities in Global Rankings: Present Status and Future Outlook

Global university rankings have become a key instrument for assessing the quality of higher education, research performance, and institutional reputation at the international level. In this context, Iraqi universities face multiple challenges reflected in their low positions or absence from major global rankings. This study aims to assess the current status of Iraqi universities in global rankings, analyze the key factors affecting their performance, and explore their future prospects. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical and deductive approach based on a review of the relevant literature and secondary data from QS and THE rankings, in addition to applying a damped exponential trend model for forecasting and a SWOT analysis. The findings reveal that Iraqi universities have expanded their presence in regional rankings, while their global positions remain concentrated in lower tiers, with potential for gradual improvement under specific institutional and research reforms. The study concludes that strengthening research capacity, enhancing internationalization, and improving governance are essential to advancing the global standing of Iraqi universities.