This came during his speech delivered at the 6th annual Central Ceremony honoring the first students of Iraqi universities graduates for the previous academic year (2016 - 2017) as part of the al-Kafeel Youth National Project.
He added: "We gather today in this holy place with blessed group of brothers and colleagues to honor the first students of the graduates of the Iraqi government and private universities who have distinguished their scientific career and put their confident steps in the path of national responsibility towards our beloved country of Iraq. As despite the obligations and responsibilities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, it succeeded in delivering a scientific message that prevented the introduction of education in political and partisan conflicts, believing that the honor of the education profession begins with its independence and being away from this arena, and building a generation armed with science, knowledge and culture is not characterized by extremism and extreme manifestations. "
"The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has been keen on opening up its educational and research institutions and its outputs to important positions within the map of university education in the countries of the region and the world. This impact was achieved when nine Iraqi universities rose among the top 100 Arab universities: The first rank was of Baghdad University that was ranked (13) in a British system. "
He explained: "The nature of the current economic and financial situation may delay the completion of strategic projects in the long term, but it did not prevent the taking of higher education scope and eligibility in its role in the Iraqi society and economic and health institutions and all other sectors."
He added: "While we participate with the al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine in the ceremony honoring the first students. We would like to make it clear to the public that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has blessed, valued and positively reacted from the first moment with the enactment of the law of the operation of the first graduates and the law of the operation of higher degree holders, but the impacts of the current financial situation and the circumstances of the State Budget for (2017) has hindered the implementation of this law, and in conclusion, we thank and appreciate the initiative of the al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine to honor its children from the first students and wish them all the success. "