THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ

Abstract

The research aims mainly to analyze the impact of higher education on the economic development in Iraq during the period (1990-2015) by monitoring the reality of higher education in Iraq on one hand, and diagnosing the reality of economic development on the other hand. In an effort to identify the most important obstacles that limit the developmental role of higher education. And also identifying the challenges that hinder economic development, to  reach  to the paths in which higher education can contribute to achieving economic development in Iraq. And what the research has found at the analytical level is that higher education in Iraq suffers from weak school curricula, which are still outdated and suffer from weakness in keeping pace with progress and scientific and technological development. Its weak link with the needs of economic and social development and the requirements of the labor market. This confirms that higher education in Iraq needs further development and reform despite conferences and reforms that took place during the past three decades. In order to benefit from the developmental role of higher education in promoting access to economic development and achieving sustainable development.