Nass Al Iraq Holding, through its subsidiary Business Empowerment Company (BEC), organized and managed the First Industrial Advisory Council Conference for Iraqi Universities, an initiative launched by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in early 2023. The conference aimed to strengthen collaboration between government institutions, academic organizations, private sector companies, and professional associations to address labor market challenges, reduce the skills gap, and improve employment opportunities for graduates.

Held at Gilgamesh University in November 2023, the conference served as a strategic platform for dialogue and cooperation, bringing together key decision-makers, educators, and industry leaders to explore practical solutions for aligning higher education outcomes with market demands.

Project Objectives

• Strengthen partnerships between academia, government, and industry.

• Support the development of market-driven educational programs.

• Address the gap between graduate skills and labor market requirements.

• Promote sustainable employment opportunities for university graduates.

• Encourage collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders.

Key Deliverables

Event Planning & Management

• Managed the overall planning and execution of the conference.

• Coordinated event logistics and participant engagement.

• Ensured a seamless experience for speakers, guests, and attendees.

Conference & Session Management

• Organized official conference sessions attended by the Minister of Higher Education and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Education Committee.

• Managed keynote presentations, discussions, and conference proceedings.

• Facilitated productive dialogue between stakeholders from multiple sectors.

Panel Discussions & Knowledge Exchange

• Coordinated panel discussions focused on workforce development and industry-academia collaboration.

• Supported expert-led conversations addressing skills development and employability.

• Enabled networking opportunities among participants and decision-makers.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinated participation from government entities, private sector organizations, universities, and professional associations.

• Facilitated communication and collaboration between participating institutions.

• Supported engagement activities designed to foster long-term partnerships.

Impact

The conference contributed to advancing the national dialogue on education and workforce development by creating direct connections between higher education institutions and industry representatives. The event helped identify opportunities for stronger collaboration, curriculum enhancement, and practical initiatives aimed at improving graduate readiness and supporting Iraq’s economic development.

Event Statistics

• Exhibitors: +40

• Visitors: +500

• Speakers: +15

• Panel Discussions: +5